Client Access Licenses Split Server Features

Client Access Licenses (CALs), which govern access rights to Microsoft servers, will undergo significant changes as Microsoft’s Information Worker group develops a more granular approach to delivering advanced server features. Customers will require at least two CALs to access the full feature set of some upcoming servers. The changes will have an impact on how servers are installed, how CALs are managed, and how much customers pay. Although Microsoft has not yet announced specific pricing, even customers with upgrade rights will likely pay more. Server licensing is also likely to become more complex as customers struggle to understand the terminology.

How CALs Work

Most Microsoft servers require two types of licenses. The first is the server license itself, required to install the server software (e.g., to install a copy of Windows Server 2003 on server hardware), and the second is some form of license for any user or device that connects to the server and uses some of its features.