Hello, I'm looking to upgrade my existing 2003 server with AD to 2008 Server R2. Iv'e never fully understood the CAL licensing and assume I would want to go with at least 50 User CAL's I currently have approximently 50 users in AD and would also use it as a File Server and Possibly a print server, is this the correct licensing structure I would go with?

I suggest contacting Microsoft Licensing Center for detailed explanation. http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/contact-us.aspx Also you can call 1-800-426-9400 (select option 4), Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. (PST) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Worldwide customers can use the Guide to Worldwide Microsoft Licensing Sites http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/index/worldwide.asp to find contact information in their locations.http://www.virmansec.com/blogs/skhairuddin

Hello, I'm looking to upgrade my existing 2003 server with AD to 2008 Server R2. Iv'e never fully understood the CAL licensing and assume I would want to go with at least 50 User CAL's I currently have approximently 50 users in AD and would also use it as a File Server and Possibly a print server, is this the correct licensing structure I would go with? You can call them or do independent research. Typically, each user authenticating to your server should be licensed. Exception to that of Anonymous webserver hits. Now you may purchase upgrade CALs from a partner or something which are not as expensive as purchasing all brand-new CALs for Server 2008 R2. CALS are explained best in the Product Use Rights. Product Usage Rights - Explain everything ... if not almost everything you need to know about product licensing. http://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/userights/ProductPage.aspx?pid=128 Basically all features native to Windows Server exception to Rights Management Services are licensed under the standard CAL. Enterprise CALs are required for RMS servers or for each user UTILIZING that function of an RMS Server. Please do not get the CALS confused with the product license. RMS does NOT require the use of Server 2008 R2 Enterprise edition. The CALs provide enterprise features. Also, like Exchange Server, you do not require Enterprise edition for the enterprise features provided with Enterprise CALs.... Another thing to think about for your licensing model, is that each user must be concurrent on your licensing. So if you have 50 users, 25 of those users are a first shift, and the other 25 are a night shift. You only require 25 user CALs or... as many as required for Concurrent users... to cover your late night work-a-holics! 30 on the safe side... So those 25 users at night shift and maybe 3-5 users TOPs that will VPN later at night while the other 25 are also on, are covered because you have 30 licenses. Now if you have other licenses to be concerned with, like Exchange, SQL Server(not express), Sharepoint server... etc.. Check out the CAL Suites. Which cover the latest and greatest upto the time you purchased. Those licenses can add-up! Client Access Licensing Suites http://www.microsoft.com/calsuites/en/us/products/default.aspx These are estimates I came up with a few months ago. This is just an idea of how the Core CAL benefits. If you're not buyin the other servers, don't even consider it as you are purchasing an overkill license that is not needed or necessary to function in a standalone Server 2008 environment. Exchange Standard - $100 + Enterprise Upgrade - $60 SQL Server Standard CAL - $240 + Enterprise Upgrade (did not calc) Sharepoint Standard CAL - $140 CAL Suite Standard $300-330... Already costs less... plus adds more CALS for Lync(office communicator), and other bonus items Enterprise CAL Suite Upgrade $700 also major beneficial cost versus what you have to buy independent to compare. Also... for only 50 users... I might tell you to check out http://office365.microsoft.com instead of purchasing the heavy duty licenses for all of that. I hope that helps guide you in to learning the licensing models at Microsoft. Also note, the EULA also displays Product Use Rights. Best Regards, Steve Kline Steve Kline Microsoft Certified IT Professional: Server Administrator Microsoft Certified Product Specialist Microsoft Certified Network Product Specialist Red Hat Certified System Administrator This posting is "as is" without warranties and confers no rights.

Great stuff, I appreciate the detailed feedback, maybe now I'll wrap my brain around it.