License connections - core or CAL license ?

  • We are running SQL Server 2008R2 on a server performing a fairly isolated back-end application. It only connects to a front-end program on that same server. Now we need to set up a second identical server in another datacenter.

    Are the number of connections returned by querying [master].[sys].[dm_exec_connections] the same number that Microsoft would consider in evaluating CAL licensing? How can I best determine if I should buy a CORE or a CAL set of licenses?

    Thank you for any help -

    Alan

  • How many users or how many computers do you have that can access the application on that server, is the application web based, is it accessible from the internet?

  • The application will control and measure activity on maybe 20 other computers thru a few services running on both the SQL Server box and the target systems.

    Are you implying that a metric from SQL Server is not relevant, but must be from the server?

  • Connections <> Users/Devices, the app may create 5 connections per user logged in or per device. So you don't want to be paying 5x's more the amount you need on CAL's if they are not going to be used.

    It all boils down to how many people or computers within your organisation CAN connect to the SQL server or application in question. If anyone can connect then you need enough CAL's to either A: cover the number of users, B: cover the number of devices, C: if you cant quantify A or B, cover the number of Cores in use, D: if its internet facing it must be licensed per Core.

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/6/F/66FF3259-1466-4BBA-A505-2E3DA5B2B1FA/SQL_Server_2014_Licensing_Datasheet.pdf

    Now here comes the legal bit.

    Don't take the public forum on its merits when it comes to something so legally binding as license compliance. Speak to your reseller of MS products or speak to MS directly. Ensure you keep any correspondence between MS/Reseller and yourselves so you know what has been said

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