Licensing / Cost Question
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Hi there,
We are looking to purchase a copy of SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition. This instance of SQL Server will be accessed soley though a website (apart from an administration account).
Can SQL Server be purchased with a license for a machine or is it based on CALs? Do you need to CAL for each user to the site or does every visitor to the site fit under the same account?
Thanks in advance...
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It can be both, For details, See http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/default.asp
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Cheers for the link Allen_Cui.
Do you know how the CALs work when accessing SQL Server through a website?
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Can't use CAL licensing when accessing from a Website (or MTS I believe) must be Proc for these purposes
KlK -
Yes, you can use CALs for accessing SQL Server from MTS components. The same rules apply, you need a CAL for each user/device that will access the MTS component that access the SQL Server.
Of course, with the current licensing scheme, it only takes having 25 users to make 1 processor licensing cheaper than CAL licenses.
Mark -
Hmm...
SQL Server will be the database for a website. I am using a VB ActiveX DLL to interact with the database and then ASP for the presentation layer. Does each concurrent user on the website constitute a separate CAL?
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Web access requires Per Processor, as CALs would be needed for each user, not concurrent user.
No sure if an IntrAnet website would still require per processor, but a web facing website DOES.
As a note MS changed the licensing a long time ago for this, basically restricting the use of a concentrator (MTS for example) to limit the number of "Actual" connections. Otherwise everyone would (and was) put a website, or app server in front of SQL Server and only have 1 actual connection to the DBMS.
KlK -
Each unique user (or machine) that ever accesses the database directly or indirectly requires a CAL. I.e., it's not concurrent licensing, it's Microsoft licensing.
--Jonathan -
Yes. If you choose per-user licensing, and the website is intranet, or otherwise you will have authenticated users, you will need CALs for each user. CALs are not for each database connection, but for each user or device to access an application using SQL Server.
Of course, you can always use per-processor licensing, even if you have authenticated users. Generally, if using a 1 processor server, and using SQL Server Standard edition, if you have 25 or more users, it is cheaper to get processor license.
If the web site is public, or you are not authenticating users, you need to use per-processor licensing. No option.
Another option: if you are using Microsoft development tools to build the web site, and if you web site use is low enough, you can use MSDE. This is the free SQL Server engine, without the GUI management tools. It does have a limit of 5 processes (if more than 5 concurrent queries running (not counting its own processes), an internal governor starts slowing down processes). But with a well written app, you can effectively have dozens (even < 100) simultaneous users before you break into that 5 concurrent queries area.
Mark -
Cheers for the feedback everyone
It basically looks like we've going to have to shell out some cash and go for the per processor licensing.
Can anyone recommend the best / cheapest place to buy SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition (1 Processor Licence) in the UK?
I've seen it on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000542DT/qid=1074098096/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_11_8/026-9445108-2969241) for £4,150 but wondering if this is the best price around?
Cheers
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