| Q. |
How do I license SQL Server 2005? |
| A. |
In general, there are three options for licensing SQL Server in a production environment:
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Processor License. Under this model, a license is required for each physical or virtual processor that is accessed by an operating system environment running SQL Server. This license does not require any device or user client access licenses (CALs). |
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Server plus Device CALs. Under this model, a server license is required for each operating system environment running an instance of SQL Server, as well as a CAL for each client device that accesses a server running SQL Server. |
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Server plus User CALs. Under this model, a server license is required for each operating system environment running an instance of SQL Server, as well as a CAL for each user that accesses a server running SQL Server. | |
| Q. |
How do the new SQL CALs work and what are the licensing requirements? |
| A. |
SQL Server 2005 now offers two types of CALs. The first is called SQL CAL, and the second one is called Workgroup CAL.
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SQL CAL. SQL CAL is offered on three platforms (32 bit, 64 bit and IA64). Any SQL CAL (32 bit, 64 bit and IA64) can be used against any licensed SQL Server regardless of the platform (32 bit, 64 bit and IA64). |
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Workgroup CAL. Workgroup CALs can only be used against a licensed SQL Workgroup Server. |
Examples:
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SQL CAL (64 bit) can be used against an Enterprise Edition (32 bit) Server |
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SQL CAL (32 bit) can be used against a Standard Edition (64 bit) Server |
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SQL CAL (IA 64) can be used against a Workgroup Edition (32 bit) Server |
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Workgroup CAL can only be used against a Workgroup Edition (32 bit) Server | |
| Q. |
What exactly is a processor license and how does it work? |
| A. |
A processor license gives you the right to install any number of copies of SQL Server 2005 on a single computer, as long as you have purchased processor licenses for all of the processors on that computer. If you have made a processor inaccessible to all operating system copies on which the SQL Server software is set up to run, you do not need a software license for that processor. In a virtualized environment, processor licenses are required for every processor that is accessed by a virtual machine. Please see the virtualization licensing brief and virtualization white paper for further detail. Find out more about how Microsoft Adapts Windows Server System Licensing to Virtualization Scenarios.
In addition to the installation rights to the actual server software, processor licenses also grant any number of devices or users the right to access and use the server software running on those processors. These access rights are available to all devices or users, regardless of whether they are inside the organization (intranet scenarios) or outside the organization (intranet or extranet scenarios). The processor license contains all that you need. With a processor license, there is no need to purchase separate server licenses, CALs, or Internet connector licenses. |
| Q. |
Do I have to acquire licenses for all of the processors in a server? |
| A. |
You have to acquire licenses only for processors that are accessible to any copy of the operating system upon which SQL Server 2005 is installed. In a virtualized environment, processor licenses are required for every processor that is accessed by a virtual machine. Please see the virtualization licensing brief and virtualization white paper for more information on how to license under a virtualized environment. |
| Q. |
What is the difference between device client access licenses (CALs) and user CALs? |
| A. |
A device CAL allows any number of users to gain access to licensed server software from a particular device. A user CAL lets a particular user gain access to licensed server software from any number of devices. In other words, a user CAL covers a particular user's access to the server software from work computers and laptops, as well as from home computers, handheld computers, Internet kiosks, and other devices. A device CAL covers access by multiple users to server software from a single, shared device. |
| Q. |
Which licensing model should I choose-the server plus device CAL, the server plus user CAL, or the processor license? |
| A. |
It depends on the specific situation, but here are some general guidelines:
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For externally focused server applications. Processor licensing is a better choice for externally focused server applications, such as Internet and extranet scenarios. It is often difficult to count devices or users in these scenarios, so hardware-based pricing is more straightforward. |
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For mixed-use servers. For mixed-use servers that will be accessed from both inside and outside the organization's firewall, processor licensing is generally favorable. Because the processor licenses are probably needed for external users, there would be no need to purchase access separately for internal users through CALs. |
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For environments inside the firewall. For environments inside the firewall where client-to-server processor ratios are relatively low, the server plus device CAL licensing model will likely be the more cost-effective choice if there are multiple users per device (for example, in a call center), while the server plus user CAL licensing model will likely be more cost-effective if there are multiple devices per user. For environments inside the firewall where client-to-server processor ratios are high, the processor licensing model will likely be more cost-effective. | |
| Q. |
How can I migrate between a user CAL and a device CAL after the transitory launch period? |
| A. |
If you have enrolled in Software Assurance (SA) or in an Enterprise Agreement (EA), you can switch from one model to the other-from device-based to user-based or from user-based to device-based CALs-upon renewal of your SA or EA. If you are not enrolled in SA or an EA, you need to acquire new CALs if you want to move to the next version of a product. |
| Q. |
If I switch from the device CAL licensing model to the user CAL licensing model, will I receive credit or a refund for any extra CALs that were acquired? |
| A. |
No credit or refund is issued upon switching to the user CAL licensing model. |
| Q. |
Can I use a combination of device and user CALs at the same time? |
| A. |
In general, if you are purchasing individual CALs through retail, original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Open License, or Select License programs, you can purchase all device CALs, all user CALs, or a combination of device and user CALs. However, to ease management and tracking, you should buy either all device CALs or all user CALs. |
| Q. |
Do you offer concurrent CALs? |
| A. |
No. SQL Server 2005 is only available by means of a server plus device CAL, server plus user CAL, or a processor license. |
| Q. |
Are there any feature packs included with SQL Server 2005? |
| A. |
Yes. A feature pack including SQL Server 2005 DB2 and SAP providers is available for download. |
| Q. |
Is Personal Edition still available in SQL Server 2005? |
| A. |
No. Personal Edition has been replaced by Express Edition and through Workgroup and Standard's ability to run on Windows XP. |
| Q. |
If I have software assurance, am I eligible for a free upgrade to SQL Server 2005? |
| A. |
If your software assurance coverage ends on December 1, 2005 or after this date, you are eligible for a free upgrade to SQL Server 2005. |
| Q. |
Do I have to buy separate server plus device CALs or server plus user CALs in addition to processor licenses? |
| A. |
No. Processor licenses grant you the right to install SQL Server 2005 on any computer for which you have acquired the appropriate number of processor licenses. You need a separate processor license for each processor on the server. Separate server plus device CALs or server plus user CALs are not required. |
| Q. |
Can I run a mixed environment with both SQL Server 2005 processor licenses and server plus device CALs or server plus user CALs? |
| A. |
This is feasible in some scenarios, and there is no restriction prohibiting it. For example, if an organization's Internet servers are segregated from the computers that are used to support its internal users, the organization could license its Internet servers through processor licenses while choosing to purchase separate server plus device CALs or server plus user CALs for its internal servers and CALs for each of its internal users or users' devices.
You should never purchase CALs to enable users to access a server that is already licensed through processor licenses because those processor licenses grant the right for all users to access the server. Likewise, you should never purchase processor licenses for a server that will be accessed exclusively by users for whom CALs have already been purchased.
It is possible that a particular server will be accessed by both internal users (for whom CALs have been purchased) and by an undetermined number of external users whose access would be covered by processor licensing. In such a case, a separate server plus device CAL or server plus user CAL would not be needed for that server because the processor licensing already grants the right to install SQL Server 2005 on that server. |
| Q. |
Can I switch from the SQL Server 2005 server plus CAL licensing model to the processor licensing model or from the processor licensing model to the server plus CAL licensing model? |
| A. |
Yes, it is possible to switch your licensing model, but it requires you to purchase the appropriate licenses, which often does not make economic sense until you upgrade to a new version of the product. Generally, switching from server plus device CALs or server plus user CALs to processor licenses makes sense only when you need to allow Internet and extranet access or when the number of users is expected to grow significantly, in which case moving to per processor licensing is more cost-effective. Unlike SQL Server version 7.0 and other previous versions that enabled a one-time conversion from "per-server" (now per processor) to "per-seat CAL" (now device CAL) licensing at no cost, the per processor licensing model and server/CAL licensing model differ in price and benefit so the one-time switch is not possible. |
| Q. |
How do I license SQL Server 2005 CALs in a multiplexed environment? |
| A. |
In most cases, Microsoft requires a CAL for every device that accesses or uses the services of SQL Server 2005. If you are unsure whether a CAL is required, you should contact your Microsoft sales representative or account manager. Inquires can be directed to the Microsoft Sales and Partner Information line by calling (800) 426-9400. |
| Q. |
How does licensing work for computers that run SQL Server 2005 in failover scenarios? |
| A. |
Failover support, where servers are clustered together and set to pick up processing duties if one computer should fail, is now available in Standard and Enterprise editions of SQL Server 2005. Under each of these editions, keeping a passive server for failover purposes does not require a license as long as the passive server has the same or fewer processors than the active server (under the per processor scenario). For details on which failover methods are available under each edition, visit the SQL Server 2005 Features Comparison page. |
| Q. |
If I am doing log shipping in an active/passive failover configuration, how should I license the backup server? |
| A. |
In this scenario, the passive server does not require a license, unless the passive server has more processors than the active server, and the active server is licensed under the per processor model. |
| Q. |
How does licensing work with the multi-instance feature in SQL Server 2005? |
| A. |
You can run multiple instances of SQL Server 2005 on a single computer. Multiple instances are used by organizations that have several applications running on a server but want them to run in isolation so that any problem in one instance will not affect the other instances. In SQL Server 2005, you can now run multiple instances with the Workgroup, Standard, and Enterprise editions when they are licensed server/CAL or on a per-processor basis. |
| Q. |
In a system with Intel Hyper-Threading Technology enabled, do I have to pay for each logical processor? |
| A. |
Under the per processor licensing model, SQL Server 2005 requires a license for each physical processor only. In a virtualized environment, you need a license for each virtual processor or fraction of a processor accessed by a virtual machine. |
| Q. |
Can I use processor licenses to commercially host applications running on Microsoft Windows Server System products? |
| A. |
Microsoft does offer processor licenses for Windows Server System products through its Commercial Licensing program. Licenses (including processor licenses, server plus device CALs, and server plus user CALs) acquired through retail or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) channels, or through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, cannot be rented, leased, or lent to third parties, or used to provide commercial hosting services. |
| Q. |
Do I need a separate license to run the SQL Server tools and analysis services? |
| A. |
No, a separate license is not required. However, any device that has SQL Server tools or technologies installed must have a valid SQL Server license. |
| Q. |
Do I need to purchase a special license to install and run SQL Server Mobile? |
| A. |
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition (SQL Server Mobile) is distributed as a downloadable development product for mobile applications. You can deploy SQL Server Mobile to an unlimited number of mobile devices if they operate in stand-alone mode. In stand-alone mode, the device does not connect to or use the resources of any SQL Server system not present on the device. Otherwise, when devices running SQL Server Mobile connect to or use the resources of a SQL Server system not on the device, the instance of SQL Server being connected to or used must be licensed according to the per processor licensing model, the user must have a SQL Server user CAL, or the device must have a SQL Server device CAL. |
| Q. |
What is SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition and how is it licensed? |
| A. |
SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition is licensed per developer and must be used for designing, developing, and testing purposes only. |
| Q. |
What is Microsoft SQL Server Runtime? |
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| A. |
SQL Server Runtime is a license that allows an independent software vendor (ISV) to embed the complete SQL Server code into its solution for use only by the ISV's application. The customer of the ISV is restricted from using this SQL Server product to run other applications or to develop new applications, databases, or tables. |
| Q. |
How do I downgrade to SQL Server 2000? |
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| A. |
If you require SQL Server 2000 for existing solutions, you can still acquire additional licenses by taking advantage of the SQL Server 2005 "downgrade rights." The downgrade rights enable you to purchase server plus device CALs, server plus user CALs, or processor licenses for SQL Server 2005 and install and use the previous version for a reasonable period of time. |
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