Exchange 2010 Packaging, Pricing, and Licensing

Update

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

Licensing of Exchange Server 2010 for on-premises use remains generally consistent with its predecessor, Exchange Server 2007. The feature sets of the product's two editions, Standard and Enterprise, are less distinct than in previous versions, and their usage rules, licensing models, and prices for most licenses remain identical. While architectural improvements may allow organizations to implement an Exchange Server 2010 infrastructure using fewer servers, several new factors may increase overall licensing costs: upgrading to Exchange 2010 requires a potentially expensive upgrade of Windows Server (and possibly Outlook 2010), and the per-client cost of premium features has gone up.

Server Editions

Usage rules, licensing models, and prices for Standard and Enterprise Edition
New mailbox high-availability capability, Database Availability Group (DAG), now included in both editions; licensing implications
Scalability features unique to Enterprise Edition and when they are needed

Two Tiers of Client Access Licenses

Overview of Standard and Enterprise Client Access Licenses (CALs)
Pricing: Standard CAL stays the same, Enterprise CAL goes up
Effect of volume licensing program type on Enterprise CAL Software Assurance (SA) payments
External Connector license: what it is, rules governing its use, and when it is most appropriate

Exchange Server 2010 features that require an Enterprise CAL

When Outlook 2010 is required
Unified messaging
Personal archive
Custom message retention policies
Automatic message and attachment protection (sometimes called “Information Protection and Compliance,” “Information Leakage Protection,” or “Information Protection and Control”
Multi-mailbox search (also known as Cross Mailbox Search) and legal hold
Premium journaling
Mobile device controls and policies

Malware protection and Software Assurance

When malware protection is included with SA on the Enterprise CALs
Technologies included: Forefront Protection 2010 for Exchange Server (on premises), Forefront Online Protection for Exchange (hosted)

Licensing prerequisites