SQL Sever Native client license

  • Hi,

    do you need to buy a SQL Server native client license if I want to connect to a SQL Server from my laptop?

    Thanks,

  • It depends on what type of licensing your SQL Server/Instance is licensed with.

    If the server is licensed per Server, you would need a CAL (Client Access License).

    If the server is licensed per CPU, you don't need anything on your side.

    The SQL Native Client is just a layer to connect to a SQL Server and has nothing to do with licensing.

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  • I don't think so, however, you may need a Client Access License (CAL) depending on the server version and how the server is licensed.

    CEWII

  • Thanks for the replies..

    so does it mean all SQL Server clients are free 7.0,2000,2005 or 2008.....and are they backward compatible? I mean to say I can use 7.0 with 2000 or 2005 ?

  • Well, again....it depends on your Server licensing scheme.... IF the server is licensed per CPU, then yes, you could say your client access is "free", but if your server is licensed per server, you DO need a CAL, which is not free......

    As for backward compatibility, I am not sure, but you have it wrong, a later version, ie 2008, could be used with 2005,2000,7.0, not the other way around as you posted.

    The client is always "free", it is just you that have to comply with whatever licensing scheme you have in place for the particular server you are connecting to.

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  • The sql client software is free. It is backward compatible, However you need a CAL to connect to SQL. You can license your servers to accept CALs, meaning that a client needs 1 CAL to connect to any and all (unlimited) servers. Or you can license (or used to) license a server with XX CALs to allow that many clients to connect to only that server.

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