Microsoft Licensing

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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

• Acceptable versions and editions of Windows Server
• Need for Windows Server 2008 CALs

Resources

• Where to go for additional information sources on topics related to Exchange Server licensing

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