Windows cal definition

Log In. New Article. Today, we will explain CALs: what they are, the different types, and why they are important! Labels: Coffee Coaching. Leave a Comment We encourage you to share your comments on this post. Be sure to enter a unique name. You can't reuse a name that's already in use. Be sure to enter a unique email address. You can't reuse an email address that's already in use. Website optional. Preview Exit Preview. Latest Comments. UrsRenggli on: HPE ranked 1 for social media.

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By using this site, you accept the Terms of Use and Rules of Participation. End of content United States. Microsoft CAL Suite technologies. Client Access Licenses and Management Licenses If the workstations in your organization are networked, you likely depend on network server software to perform certain functions, such as file and print sharing.

A CAL is not a software product; rather, it is a license that gives a user the right to access the services of the server. Likewise, if you manage the devices on your network by using management software such as Microsoft System Center, a Management License ML may be required for the device being managed. Licensing software with CALs and MLs can be complicated due to the technical nature of server products and networks.

In addition, an External Connector EC license is offered for some products as an optional alternative to address specific customer scenarios. This overview is for reference purposes only. Before purchasing, you should visit the "How to Buy" section for each product and consult your Microsoft representative or local reseller regarding your specific licensing needs.

With the User CAL, you purchase a CAL for every user who accesses the server to use services such as file storage or printing, regardless of the number of devices they use for that access. Purchasing a User CAL might make more sense if your company's employees need to have roaming access to the corporate network by using multiple devices, or from unknown devices, or if you simply have more devices than users in your organization.

Device CALs. With a Device CAL, you purchase a CAL for every device that accesses your server, regardless of the number of users who use that device to access the server. Device CALs may make more economic and administrative sense if your company has workers who share devices, for example, on different work shifts. External Connectors. If you want external users—such as business partners, external contractors, or customers—to be able to access your network, you have two licensing options:.

External Connector licensing. An EC license assigned to a server permits access by any number of external users, as long as that access is for the benefit of the licensee and not the external user.

Each physical server that external users access requires only one EC license regardless of the number of software instances running. An "instance" is an installed copy of software. The right to run instances of the server software is licensed separately; the EC, like the CAL, simply permits access. Under the Per Core model, when the server software is running in the physical OSE, you must license all physical cores on the server.

To determine the number of core licenses you need, count the total number of physical cores for each processor on the server, and then multiply that number by the appropriate core factor. You do not need to purchase additional CALs. Software licensed by core. Specialty Server licensing. Specialty Servers are server-only licenses that generally do not require CALs. Specialty Servers require a server license for each instance of the server software running on a server.

You can run the instance in a physical or virtual operating system environment. By exception, some products provide more specific use rights. Included with the ML are the rights to run the corresponding management server software, so you do not need to acquire separate licenses for the management server software.

Software licensed by ML. Cal and MLs. You can also find up-to-date licensing information for specific products at Product Licensing Search. Microsoft Core CAL Suite: Provides six innovative technologies from Microsoft that can be used to establish a solid IT infrastructure and delivers the essential capabilities that every user needs.

Microsoft Enterprise CAL Suite: Delivers the future of productivity with 12 of the latest products in compliance, real-time collaboration, security, communication, desktop management, and more. Client Access License Suite licensing rights. CAL Suites simplify licensing and tracking by reducing the number of licenses that are necessary to access Microsoft servers.