Windows Server CAL Types Microsoft Server CAL Call Guide Windows Server SKU Table

A server CAL (Client Access License) is a Which Windows Server 2012

required license that gives the right to access edition is being purchased? Product User/Device Part
Number
services on a Windows Server. Windows
Server Standard and Datacenter editions Windows Server 2012 Client Access
require Windows Server CALs for every user Licenses (CALs)
Datacenter Edition, Essentials, Foundation
or device accessing a server. Standard Edition, or or Storage Editions Windows 1 User 10885287
Standard 4CPU/4VM
User CAL CALs are required No CALs are required
Server 2012
CALs 5 User 10885288
Ideal for companies with employees who need
to have roaming access to the corporate
1 Device 10885471
network using multiple devices, as well as from “Do you have employees who use either
unknown devices. one or multiple devices.”
OR
5 Device 10885286
“Do you have employees who share a
single device?” Windows Server 2012 Remote
Desktop Services (RDS) CAL

Users with Multiple users Windows 1 User 10898963

multiple sharing a Server 2012
devices single device RDS CALs 5 User 10898959
= USER CAL = DEVICE CAL

1 Device 10898962
Device CAL 5 Device 10898738
“You will need a “You will need
Ideal for companies with multiple users for one CAL for each a CAL for each
device, such as shift workers. user who will device that will Storage
access the server.” access the server.”
“How many users “How many
will access devices will access Windows No CALs N/A
the server? the server? Server 2012 required
Storage
Standard
Compute the number of User or Device
(unlimited
CALs required. connections)

RDS CAL- Remote Desktop Services CAL “User and device CALs can be bought in
Ideal for companies with users who need to packs: 1, 5, 10, 50, 100
You will need ___ CAL Packs. May I add that
access programs or the full desktop remotely. to your order?”

Add CALs to the transaction and proceed.

CAL FAQ Windows Server® CAL CAL Reference Guide
Quick Reference Guide
1 Do Windows Server 2012 R2 CALs exist?

No. CALs are not re-versioned when an R2 A small office with 15 users buys a server installed
version ships. Windows Server 2012 CALs are with Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard.
the proper license for Windows Server 2012
R2 clients.
Need to purchase a Windows Server 2012 CAL
Are CALs included with my new for every user/device: 15 CALs
2 Windows Server?

No. CALs are sold separately. Windows Server 2012 R2 Price*:

- Standard Edition $882 Selling Client Access Licenses (CALs)
What is the difference between a Server
3 license and a CAL? Why do I need both?
Best Practice for Sellers: CALs are most
The Server license gives the license holder the
(3) Packs of 5 Windows Value of commonly sold with Windows Server at the
right to install and use the server software. The
CAL grants the right for a device or user to Server 2012 CALs CALS: point of purchase.
$xx* added
access the server software. This offers license
to the sale Simple tip on selling Windows Server CALS
affordability to organizations of all sizes.

4 When do I need to acquire a CAL? *Pricing shown is ERP. Specific CAL pricing varies, please check Make selling CALs a standard part of every
appropriate price lists. Windows server transaction.
A CAL is required when a user or device
accesses or uses the server software. If access is Resources Why is it important Why is it important
through the Internet and is unauthenticated (as Visit Microsoft OEM Partner Center for more
at a public website), a CAL is not required.
information about Windows server CALs to you? to your customers?
Can I use a device CAL and a user CAL and licensing
5 to access the same server? http://www.microsoft.com/oem Increase your deal sizes Ensures that all your
and boost your sales customers’ users and
revenues to help meet devices are in full legal
Yes. Device and user CALs, as well as Remote Visit Microsoft OEM Training Zone for more compliance with
Desktop Services device and user CALs, can be your sales goals.
information about Windows server CALs Microsoft licensing.
used to access the same server.
and licensing Business partners
http://www.microsoft.com/oem benefit from an Provides customers
Is each CAL “tied” to a specific user or
6 device? enhanced customer- with scalable pricing
Visit Microsoft Volume Licensing, About seller relationship, and seller solutions.
Yes. CALs must be assigned to specific users or Licensing for more detailed CAL information and reap the financial Promotes good
devices. If a user leaves the company or a http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about- rewards that come
device is retired, the CAL can be reassigned. customer relations.
licensing/client-access-license.aspx from the deal.
I have some extra CALs from an older How to activate RDS CALs
version that are not being used. Can I
7 apply these to servers running a newer
Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS
CALs) are the only CALs that require activation.
version? http://technet.microsoft.com/en-
us/library/cc771547.aspx
No. CALs must be the same version as—or a
more recent version of—the server software
they are accessing.

What CALs are needed for Remote

8 Desktop Services?
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Windows Server and other product names are or may be registered www.microsoft.com/oem
Remote Desktop Services requires a trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries.
Windows Server CAL and an RDS CAL for
each user/device.