Microsoft Windows Server
Genuine Windows Server licences — Standard, Datacenter and Essentials — along with the CALs that go with them. Server licensing has rules that are not obvious; here you will find both the products and the explanations.
- Two parts: the server licence, and CALs for whoever connects to it.
- Licensed per core: Standard and Datacenter count physical cores, not machines.
- User or Device CAL: depending on whether you have more people or more devices.
- Ask us: the wrong licensing costs money — we would rather work it out with you first.
What are you after?
How the licensing works
- The server licence first — Standard or Datacenter licenses the operating system itself, based on the physical cores of the machine.
- A 16-core minimum — even if the processor has fewer, licensing starts at 16 cores per server and 8 per processor.
- Then the CALs — every user or device connecting to the server needs its own CAL. They are not included with the server licence.
- User or Device — User CALs if each person connects from several devices; Device CALs if several people share one workstation, as on shifts.
- RDS CALs separately — if you use Remote Desktop Services, you need RDS CALs on top of the standard ones.
Standard, Datacenter or Essentials?
Standard is what most businesses choose and allows a limited number of virtual machines per licensed server. It covers file serving, domain controller duties and line-of-business applications.
Datacenter has identical functionality but allows unlimited virtual machines. It only makes sense in heavily virtualised environments — otherwise Standard is clearly cheaper.
Essentials targets very small businesses, with a cap on users and devices, and requires no CALs. It is the simplest answer when you fit inside its limits.
See also
Microsoft Windows Microsoft Office Antivirus Specialist Software All Software
Frequently asked questions
- What are CALs and why do I need them?
- Client Access Licence: the licence that lets a user or device connect to the server. The Windows Server licence covers the operating system, not the connections — CALs are bought separately.
- User CAL or Device CAL?
- User CALs if each person connects from several devices, such as a laptop and a phone. Device CALs if several people share one computer, as on shifts. Choose whichever gives the smaller number.
- What is the difference between Standard and Datacenter?
- Functionality is identical. Datacenter allows unlimited virtual machines while Standard allows a limited number. Without heavy virtualisation, Standard is cheaper.
- How does per-core licensing work?
- It is based on the physical cores of the server, with a minimum of 8 per processor and 16 per server. Even a machine with fewer cores is licensed for 16.
- Do I need separate licences for Remote Desktop?
- Yes. RDS CALs are additional to standard CALs and are required for every user or device connecting through Remote Desktop Services.
- What is the Essentials edition?
- A simplified edition for very small businesses, with a cap on users and devices, that requires no CALs.
- Can you help me choose?
- Yes, and we recommend it. Server licensing has details that cost money if overlooked — contact us before ordering.
Server licensing is the easiest place to make an expensive mistake: the wrong CAL type, the wrong core count, forgotten RDS CALs. Call us first — it costs nothing and saves a great deal.
- 30€
- 240€
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