5 CAL? SQL Server 2005 — means only 5 users are legally access my website?
January 14th, 2009
This may be a stupid question, I understand Microsoft product is always got to be expensive, but this seems ridiculously expensive.
I have a server running windows server 2003 with a couple of websites hosting on it. Now I need a SQL Server 2005 in order to get my database working. But suddenly I found I can't afford the license cost.
I'm still new on this, can anybody tell me does '5 CAL' means that if there are 10 users viewing my website, I have to pay ‘10 CAL'?!
You can use free SQL Server 2005 Express.
It has not limit on the number of users.
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January 14th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
A CAL (Client Access License) is required for each computer or user that is accessing the software.
So you are correct. And yes, software is EXPENSIVE.
Edit: Look up Per Processor licenses. You may be able to find something less killing.
References :
January 14th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I'm not sure, but guessing that CAL stands for 'Concurrent Access License'? If that is the case, it means that only 5 people at a time be accessing the database, and if you want to allow more people to access it (concurrently - at the same exact time), you will probably have to pony up. Keep in mind, that if the transactions (what a database operation is called, not necessarily a money thing) are fairly simple and quick, you may never need to worry about more than 5 occurring at the same time. It depends on what kind of site it is, and how many and how often calls will need to be made to the database. Of course, if the cost gets to be a bummer, you could look into MySQL or some other open source solution. I feel for you - I work in IT, and know exactly what you are going through. Good luck.
References :
January 14th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Generally the 5 SQL license refers to how many users can use the SQL to make changes to your web site. As long as the rest are only viewing then there should be no problem. Read the license agreement and I think that you will find it refers to 5 SQL users. Note if you give your Web access to SQL and I would not know why you would then you would be limited to only five people on the site at a time.
References :
January 14th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Per Seat Licensing
Per Server Licensing
Per Processor Licensing
Per Mailbox Licensing
Per Seat Licensing
With Per Seat licensing (sometimes referred to as "Per Device or Per User"), you need a separate CAL for each unique device (or user, if applicable) that accesses the server to avail of services such as file or print or to run Microsoft server applications. Once you choose to deploy a Microsoft server product in Per Seat mode, your choice is permanent. The following is a diagram illustrating Per Seat licensing
Per Seat licensing is available for the following Microsoft products in the server software pool:
Class Server
Exchange Server
Office Project Server
Office SharePoint Portal Server
Office Live Communications Server
SQL Server
Systems Management Server
Terminal Server
Windows Rights Management Server
Windows Server
Windows Small Business Server
Per Server Licensing
With Per Server licensing, a specified number of CALs are associated with a particular server. The number of devices that can legally access that server simultaneously is limited in Per Server licensing to the number of CALs purchased for that particular server. For example, if your organization chooses to deploy Microsoft Windows Server 2003 in Per Server mode, purchasing 50 CALs will allow up to 50 unique devices to be connected to that server simultaneously. Because CALs in Per Server deployments are not permanently associated with a specific device, if your organization adds another Windows Server, and remains deployed in Per Server mode, separate Windows Server CALs will be required to access the second server. With Per Server deployments, the system administrator designates the number of CALs that apply to the server during setup, based on the number that has been purchased for that server. The following is a diagram illustrating Per Server licensing:
Per Processor Licensing
Some of the server products are available Per Processor. 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. You do not need to purchase additional server licenses, CALs, or Internet Connector Licenses.
Per Mailbox Licensing
If you are an education customer using Exchange Server, you have the additional option of deploying licenses in Per Mailbox mode. With this model, you acquire one CAL for each unique mailbox accessing Exchange Server. If you choose the Per Mailbox mode, you may not later change to Per Seat mode. However, if you initially choose the Per Seat mode, you may transition one time only to Per Mailbox mode. This choice is then permanent.
References :
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sam/lic_cal.mspx
January 14th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
You can use free SQL Server 2005 Express.
It has not limit on the number of users.
References :