SQL Server Licensing
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I have been tasked with providing a new SQL Server environment within the company I work for.
I currently don't understand the finer details of Licensing.
I have looked on the Microsoft Web site and found that with Processor Licences no other license is required as this type of license covers you for everything.
I am struggling to get a definitive answer on buying CAL licenses.
If we are to have 3 SQL Servers servicing roughly 200 users, if we buy 200 CAL licences, do these licences enable you to connect to all 3 Servers or do you need 200 CAL Licences per server?
If we buy CAL Licences I believe we will also need to buy 3 Server Licences?
Thanks in advance
Carl
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Carl,
How are the servers going to be configured - separate servers or in a cluster? We recently installed a 2 node active passive cluster using per processor licensing and for that, you only need to license the processors for the active box (in our case 2 procs).
I am guessing you have seen this, but in case not - http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/faq.asp
In that link, you will see that when you speak of CALs, there are 2 types...user and device. Say you have a single computer that gets logged onto by several people during the day. You would want to buy device licenses because there are less devices than there are users. (examples being computers used in checkout lanes at grocery stores, Walmarts, etc). If you spend some time on that link, you should be able to get all of your questions answered.
Also, probably more important to your particular question is that anything over around 175 users made more sense to go with per processor licensing, but that will vary based on pricing you receive from reseller to reseller and configuration of the boxes (separate or clustered).
HTH,
Jerod
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Jerod,
Thanks for the reply.
We would be looking to possibly cluster and purchase USER CALS.
In terms of CALs v Processor licences. It works out cheaper to buy 3 Server licences and 200 CALS than it does to buy 6 processor licences for Enterprise Edition. In the case that we are looking to having 3 dual processor sql servers.
Regards
Carl
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...or do you need 200 CAL Licences per server?
No, a CAL license covers any and all SQL Servers in the enterprise.
...we will also need to buy 3 Server Licences?
Yes.
...We would be looking to possibly cluster ...
What is your timeframe? With the recent announcement that SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition will now support clustering, that could change your CAL/Processor breakeven point quite a bit. If I remember right, the breakeven point for Standard edition was about 25 CALs (but that was probably for single processor).
Mark -
Mark,
I have recently read about SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition supporting Clustering, but from what I read it only covers 2 nodes in the Cluster. I would also prefer to wait until any bugs have been ironed out before purchasing SQL Server 2005.
From the prices I have received we can purchase SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition with 200 CALS for 3 dual processor servers for the following price:
3 * SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (Server Licence) @ £4,394.60 = £13,183.80
200 * SQL Server CALS @ £100.34 = £20,068.00
Total Price = £33,251.80
Compared to
6 * SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (Processor Licences) @ £13,172.00
Total Price = £79,032.00
Regards
Carl
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One thing to watch when looking at CALS is whether they are user or device CALS.
200 device CALS will license you for 200 unique devices (workstations, other servers, etc...).
200 users CALS will allow a maximum of 200 users, but they can be connected from any device. If one user disconnects another can connect.
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Colt 45 - the original point and click interface
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and one more link ...
http://www.sswug.org/see/22238/
RegardsRudy KomacsarSenior Database Administrator"Ave Caesar! - Morituri te salutamus."
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