SQL / Server CAL issue

  • Hi,

    If SQL 2008 Express is installed on a Server 2008 Standard system in mixed authentication mode and that Server performs no other functions other than SQL Express (ie no DHCP, no file or print sharing, no DNS and is not on a domain), do I need Server CAL's for 2008 Standard seeing as my clients database application authenticated directly to SQL?

    Thanks

    Neil

  • SQL Server CALS or Windows Server CALS?

    I am fairly sure for both the answer is NO you don't. Express doesn't require CALS regardless of authentication type. But you lose a lot of functionality using express, but if the limitations imposed like 1 CPU, 1GB RAM, and a 4GB DB size limit are workable for you then go ahead.

    CEWII

  • Hi,

    Sorry maybe I wasn't clear. I understand that SQL Express does not need CAL's and that it has limitations. The copnay who make the database application state that SQL Express is good enough for their needs. What I really need to know is does the Server 2008 Standard require CAL's or not if SQL is doing the authentication.

    Thanks

    Neil

  • I don't think who is doing the authentication (SQL vs. Integrated) really makes any difference. I didn't see anything in the licensing FAQ that would apply to you. Also, because the machine is not a member of a domain, SQL is really the only authentication method you can use. I'm going to go out on a little limb and say that you shouldn't need CALS for the windows side, if the machine is PURELY hosting SQL.

    CEWII

  • Hi,

    That was my thoughts exactly, I just needed to hear it from someone else! I tried emailing MS but getting a straight answer out of them ain't easy! Thanks for your help

  • njdouglas (2/3/2010)


    Hi,

    Sorry maybe I wasn't clear. I understand that SQL Express does not need CAL's and that it has limitations. The copnay who make the database application state that SQL Express is good enough for their needs. What I really need to know is does the Server 2008 Standard require CAL's or not if SQL is doing the authentication.

    Thanks

    Neil

    You are required to purchase User or Device CALs for the OS, does not matter what you are running on it or what is doing the authentication. To be compliant with Microsoft licensing the OS has to be licensed. Depending on how your company bought the OS license it usually comes with a set number of CALs (usually 5), that may suffice. It goes by how many connections you will have concurrently to the server at any given time.

    http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/client-access-license.aspx#tab=1

    Shawn Melton
    Twitter: @wsmelton
    Blog: wsmelton.github.com
    Github: wsmelton

  • Melton,

    I have looked over the docs and I don't think I agree with that interpretation. It is my feeling that SQL Express was meant to not require this. However, upon reading:

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/E/C/EECF5D44-9A88-43D8-AFDB-D2AB82BE035C/Win%20Server%20Lic%20Book%20customer%20hi-res.pdf

    I think I might be wrong. Which basically bites..

    CEWII

  • However you do not need CAL's when processor licensing is in use. From the link provided:

    "Per Processor Licensing

    Under the Per Processor model, you acquire a Processor License for each processor in the server on which the software is running. A Processor License includes access for an unlimited number of users to connect from either inside the local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), or outside the firewall (via the Internet). You do not need to purchase additional server licenses, CALs, or Internet Connector Licenses."

    If I was running a SQL Standard CPU license, then I would not need CAL's. MS state that a CAL is only required when a device or user authenticates against a server. In the case of server 2008 this includes users or devices such as workstations, scanners etc. As my users will not authenticate to the server 2008, but to SQL, then I don't see how SErver CAL's are required.

  • Well according to QA on Window Server 2008, now this is with R2...

    Every user or device that accesses or uses the Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 server software requires the purchase of a Windows Server 2008 Client Access License (Windows Server CAL) except under the following circumstances:

    If access to the instances of server software is only through the Internet without being authenticated or otherwise individually identified by the server software or through any other means

    If access is to Windows Web Server 2008 or Windows Web Server 2008 R2

    If external users are accessing the instances of server software and you have acquired a Windows Server 2008 External Connector license for each server being accessed

    For up to two devices or users to access your instances of the server software only to administer those instances

    If you are using Windows Server 2008 R2 solely as a virtualization host (you will still require CALs for your appropriate WS edition running in the virtual machine(s) )

    The way I understand it SQL Server CALs do not replace or cannot be used in place of a Window Server CAL.

    Shawn Melton
    Twitter: @wsmelton
    Blog: wsmelton.github.com
    Github: wsmelton

  • njdouglas (2/3/2010)


    Hi,

    The copnay who make the database application state that SQL Express is good enough for their needs.

    I would contact the company you are working with for the application and ask them how they suggest the server be licensed. Or contact the Microsoft seller that you purchase software from, they should be able to give you a good enough answer. Getting it in an email is better protection for you 🙂

    Shawn Melton
    Twitter: @wsmelton
    Blog: wsmelton.github.com
    Github: wsmelton

  • Well when you put it like that.........If I run SQL Express on Server 2008 Web Edition R2 then all CAL's are null and void. This assumes I'm allowed to install SQL Express on Server 2008 Web Edition and have external users (customers) and internal users (employees) access the database. External users access it via a separate web server running server 2008 web edition, internal users via a third party application from their workstations.

    MS make everything sooooo complicated

  • Elliott W (2/3/2010)


    Melton,

    I have looked over the docs and I don't think I agree with that interpretation. It is my feeling that SQL Express was meant to not require this.

    SQL Express is free and requires no licencing. That doesn't mean that the OS that it's running on is also free.

    I'd contact MS and get an answer. Otherwise you may get a very nasty surprise when you get audited.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • I always try and get answers like like from MS via email as, like you say, it saves your bacon when the brown stuff starts flying. However in my experience MS licensing seem to give a different answer every time you ask them a questions and as for our MS reseller, their knowledge on licensing is poor to say the least.

  • Do MS ever audit in the UK? Been in this game a while now and never know them to go a knocking....

  • It is not auditing from MS necessarily. The industry you are in may require 3rd party auditing (example for HIPPA or PCI/credit card) and part of that auditing or requirements to be compliant in your business could require license compliance with the vendors.

    No of the companies I worked for was never audited by Microsoft but we were by state government and 3rd party vendors to be PCI compliant.

    Shawn Melton
    Twitter: @wsmelton
    Blog: wsmelton.github.com
    Github: wsmelton

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