Windows Embedded

Server Licensing
Program

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Windows Embedded Server
Enhancing the Competitiveness of Solutions
Information technology has provided many services and a great deal of convenience in our daily lives, including everything
from buying tickets and paying bills at a convenience store kiosk, electronic highway toll systems, and even the entrance/exit
gates of mass transit systems and passenger information systems. In addition to the front-end user equipment, the back-end
servers that provide information and carry out transaction processing also play a very important role.
These servers have only served a single purpose from the day they first went online. Due to the specific purpose of these
servers, we term them specialized servers. Microsoft has introduced a new model for software licensing tailor-made for these
types of servers through Windows Embedded Server.
To give you a better understanding of the scope of Windows Embedded Server applications, in addition to the dedicated
services mentioned above, the following may also be included:

■■ Video monitoring systems ■■ Factory automation

■■ Collection of various types of monitoring data ■■ Medical and healthcare-related applications

■■ Telecommunications (PBX switchboard systems, ■■ Other industry-specific services

call centers, IVR)

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Windows Embedded Server Licensing Program
■■ 15-year software licensing availability
Due to the specific purpose of a client solution when it is deployed, the client may continue to use this solution for five
years, ten years, or even longer. Microsoft offers a software licensing availability for up to 15 years to ensure that your
system continues to conduct sales and other operations adequately, as well as to provide your customers with valid
software licenses.

■■ Integrated installation discs

You can make your solution work even more closely with the Microsoft operating system. Your application may be
factory preinstalled with the operating system and you may also make legal integrated copies of your solution on disc
so that your client will have access to a more convenient deployment solution.

■■ Licensing designed just for Windows Embedded Server

Due to the nature of their specific applications, Microsoft has provided an exclusive licensing scheme for these server
applications, which enables you to provide competitive products and solutions. The redistribution rights allows you to
customize and brand your own server appliances meeting your marketing and branding needs.

Why is it called Windows Embedded Server?

The special licensing model is referred to as Windows Embedded Server because of the following two distinguishing features:
1. The application is an embedded system used as a special-purpose solution by an industry.
2. The solution is available through a worldwide network of Microsoft Authorized Embedded Distributors:
www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/partners/distributors/search.mspx

How can I qualify for purchase of a Windows Embedded Server?

Because Windows Embedded Server is a special licensing model for specialized applications, the following requirements must be met:
1. The application is for a specific purpose only and cannot be used in conjunction with general-purpose PCs. Nor can it be
used with other commercial applications such as accounting, email, word processing, and CRM.
2. The embedded application must be preinstalled with the operating system on the server and shipped with the hardware.

For more detailed information refer to the software licensing document. For complete licensing terms and conditions, as well as
the provisions in the special version, refer to the Microsoft Software License Terms and the Additional License Terms (ALT).

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/server/default.mspx 2

This licensing model is made available by Microsoft for Windows Embedded Server.
Integrating with identical Windows Server technology provides a platform that enables competitive solutions.

Windows Embedded Server licensing covers the following products

Server Windows Server 2012 R2 for Embedded Systems

operating
system Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Systems
Windows Server 2008 R2 for Embedded Systems
Windows Server 2008 for Embedded Systems
Windows Server 2003 R2 for Embedded Systems
Windows Server 2003 for Embedded Systems

Database SQL Server 2014 for Embedded Systems

SQL Server 2012 for Embedded Systems
SQL Server 2008 R2 for Embedded Systems
SQL server 2008 for Embedded Systems
SQL Server 2005 for Embedded Systems
SQL Server 2000 for Embedded Systems

Please contact an embedded distributor to obtain the latest list of licensed products.

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Windows Embedded Server
Preinstalled operating Industrial application
Hardware
system software

Architecture Case 1: Gas Station

Headquartersq
q gg
Regional Center Gas Station

Windows Server + SQL Server

Windows Server + SQL Server Windows Server + SQL Server POS System
· Sales records
· Promotion management
· Reporting system

We use a gas station POS system as an example. Each station requires a data collection and transaction processing database, while the
regional centers and the headquarters are also equipped with corresponding database servers to process data collected from each station.
This is a single database server application specific to POS solutions, and therefore the Windows Embedded Server licensing program for
Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server applies.

Architecture Case 2: Public Transportation

Headquarters Servers at each station Ticketing system

1 ͚̰‫ع‬༊௎
Put CARD on the sensor zone

Windows Server
+ SQL Server
1 ͚̰‫ع‬༊௎
Put CARD on the sensor zone

Card vendor Ticket vending machines

Windows Server + SQL Server Ticketing system

· Rate control
Smart card company · Sales log Station entrance Gates
· Gate log
Centralized control center
· Smartcard AutoLoad
Windows Server
+ SQL Server

Automated clearing

In a public transportation system, there are a variety of different server applications. Here we use a ticketing system as an example. When using a
smartcard or even a credit card to enter or exit a metro station, a large amount of information is in fact being recorded, including the time of accessing the
gate, card number, or even the automatic value-added features of credit cards. As the data is being recorded, it will be stored centrally on servers located
at both the station and the headquarters, and the transaction will be settled with the bank using mechanisms at the back-end. Ordinary ticket sales
records will, of course, be kept as well for the purposes of traffic volume analysis. This public transportation case represents a typical application scenario of
Windows Embedded Server.

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/server/default.mspx 4

The same advanced product and technology, with competitive solutions

Case Study

Unable to obtain In a public works project that a customer was evaluating, initially Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 was proposed as the server platform. If it was necessary to change the platform, all
applications and deployed products would have to be redesigned, which would result in
a sharp increase in platform migration costs. Because OEM Embedded is the only channel
through which Windows Server 2003 for Embedded Systems can be purchased, the sales
representatives with the distributor for this project recommended Windows Server 2003
for Embedded Systems to the customer, which provided a comprehensive solution to the
customer’s problem.

Take Windows Server 2003 as an example. You may license the software via an Embedded
Distributor until the year 2018. The current software supply cycle for Windows Embedded
Server is the longest among all sales channels. Up to 15 years from the product’s RTM,
the customer will be able to obtain licenses for Windows Embedded Server products via
Embedded Distributors, ensuring that the solutions will remain legally licensed in large-
scale projects.

Using Windows An SI customer in the transportation industry was planning an application solution
Embedded Server intended for use on a public transportation system. Due to the fact that it is necessary to
allows the customer deploy a server at each station, the customer found using Windows Embedded Server could
reduce the licensing costs of the project. Therefore, with the interests of the customer in
to take the lead and
mind, we recommended that the Windows Embedded Server solution be used, which
win bids. allowed the customer to win the tender without modifying the original system.

Windows Embedded Server is one of the channels through which Microsoft products can
be legally obtained. Since this server product is used by the public transportation system
for a specific application, it satisfies specific-purpose licensing requirements. When the
product is shipped, applications such as ticketing systems or traffic control systems are
preinstalled in order to comply with the licensing requirements.

Data collection For a freeway ramp and traffic control system, sales representatives were able to
and analysis recommend the SQL Server solution in conjunction with hardware systems. The database
server is used to collect the enormous amount of data taken from toll stations. SQL Server is
used to build a highly reliable, high-productivity and intelligent database platform.
Through the built-in data transfer mechanism the information is transmitted back to the
center for subsequent analysis. A single database platform helps provide security, reliability,
and scalability.

SQL Server for Embedded Systems is licensed based on the number of CPUs, or on the
basis of users or devices connected to the server (in addition to the server license). In
addition, designed for specific-purpose solutions, a special licensing model is also
introduced. This model provides unlimited connections from any number of devices for one
CPU. It is designed for use with applications such as production lines or device connection
solutions for data collection.

Convenience When compared with other channels where Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter
editions are available only in a two-CPU SKU, the embedded distribution channel provides
Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Systems Standard as well as Windows Server 2012 for
Embedded Systems Datacenter in a two-CPU SKU and a four-CPU SKU, providing better
convenience for OEMs.

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 Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2 Products

Windows Embedded
General licensing
Server–specific licensing

Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012

License terms Windows Server 2012 Windows Server 2012
R2 for Embedded R2 for Embedded
R2 Standard R2 Datacenter
Systems Standard Systems Datacenter

Memory 4 terabytes 4 terabytes 4 terabytes 4 terabytes

Processor supported 1-2 1-2 1-4 1-4

Operating system
Optional Required
preinstalled

Commercial applications Optional Not allowed

Embedded applications Optional Required

Remote management
Optional
interface

Firewall, VPN, web caching Optional

Messaging and corporate

X
email

Local area network file server X

Authentication service X

Network infrastructure
X
services

Network load balancing

X
functions

Failover cluster X X X X

1 to 2 virtual license unlimited virtual license 2 to 4 virtual license unlimited virtual license
Virtualization technology
instances instances instances instances

Printing X

CAL license requirement CAL license required

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/server/default.mspx 6

 Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows Embedded
General licensing
Server–specific licensing

Windows Server 2008

Windows Server 2008
License terms Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 R2
for Embedded Server
Standard R2 Enterprise for Embedded Server
Enterprise
Standard

Memory 32 GB 2 terabytes 32 GB 2 terabytes

Processor supported 1-4 1-8 1-4 1-8

Operating system preinstalled Optional Required

Commercial applications Optional Not allowed

Embedded applications Optional Required

Remote management interface Optional

Firewall, VPN, web caching Optional

Messaging and corporate email X

Local area network file server X

Authentication service X

Network infrastructure services X

Network load balancing

X
functions

Failover cluster — X — X

4 virtual license 2 virtual license 4 virtual license

Virtualization technology 1 virtual license instance
instances instances instances

Printing X

CAL license requirement CAL license required

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This is a new and exclusive server licensing model made available to industries by Microsoft.
The same Windows Server technology provides a platform that enables more competitive solutions.

SQL Server 2014 Editions

SQL Server Editions

SQL Server Capabilities
Standard Business Intelligence Enterprise

16 cores – DB
Maximum Number of Cores 16 cores OS Max*
OS Max – BI

Windows Server Core Edition Support X X X

Basic OLTP X X X

Basic Reporting & Analytics X X X

Programmability & Developer Tools

X X X
(T-SQL, CLR, data types, FileTable)

Manageability
X X X
(Management studio, policy based management)

Enterprise Data Management

X X
(Data quality, master data services)

Self-service Business Intelligence

X X
(Power View, Power Pivot)

Corporate Business Intelligence

X X
(Semantic model, advanced analytics)

Advanced Security
X
(Advanced auditing, transparent data encryption)

In-memory ColumnStore X

In-memory OLTP X

StreamInsight Standard Standard Premium

AlwaysOn High Availability** Basic Basic Advanced

*Enterprise legacy servers licensed under Server/CAL licensing are subject to a 20-core per server limit.
**Basic includes 2 node Failover Clustering

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/server/default.mspx 8

 SQL Server 2012

Standard Business Intelligence Enterprise

Maximum compute capacity used by a single

Limited to the lesser of 4 Limited to the lesser of Operating System
instance
sockets or 16 cores 4 sockets or 16 cores Maximum *
(SQL Server Database Engine)

16 cores – DB
Operating System
Maximum number of cores 16 cores
Maximum
OS Max – BI

Maximum memory utilized (SQL Server Database Operating System

64 GB 64 GB
Engine) Maximum*

Virtual machines 1 1 4

Server core support (SQL Server Database Engine) Yes Yes Yes

Failover clustering Yes (Node Support: 2) Yes (Node Support: 2) Yes (Node Support: 2)

Basic OLTP X X X

Basic reporting and analytics X X X

Programmability and Developer Tools

X X X
(T-SQL, CLR, data types, FileTable)

Manageability (Management studio, policy-based

X X X
management)

Enterprise data management (Data quality, master

— X X
data services)

Self-service business intelligence (Power View,

— X X
PowerPivot for SPS)

Corporate business intelligence

— X X
(Semantic model, advanced analytics)

Advanced security
— — X
(Advanced auditing, transparent data encryption)

Data warehousing (Column store index, compression,

— — X
partitioning)

StreamInsight Basic Basic Advanced

AlwaysOn High Availability** Basic Basic Advanced

AlwaysOn Availability Groups X

*Enterprise servers licensed per core. ** SQL Server Database Engine

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Consistent Server Appliance Licensing
Editions License Type Features Virtualization Rights
Windows Server 2012 for Embedded Each license covers Provide all the Two OR four virtual Unlimited
Systems offered in two editions (Standard, up to two or four capabilities to enable instances
Datacenter) differentiated only by physical processors any server appliance
virtualization rights

Standard
Low density or no virtualization

Windows Server 2012 R2 for

Embedded Systems Standard

Datacenter
High density virtualization

Windows Server 2012 R2

for Embedded Systems
Datacenter

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 for Embedded Systems

SKUs and Licensing

Principal Editions Licensing Options

Server+CAL Core-based

Enterprise

Business
Intelligence New!

Standard

Microsoft Reference Websites

■■ Windows Embedded Server: www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/windows-embedded-server.aspx

■■ Windows Server 2012 R2: www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/windows-server/windows-server-2012-r2.aspx

■■ Windows Server 2012 R2 Technical Resources: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver

■■ SQL Server: www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/evaluate/Microsoft-sql-server-for-embedded-systems.aspx

■■ SQL Server Editions: www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/en/us/editions.aspx

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/server/default.mspx 10

Frequently Asked Questions
■■ Is Windows Embedded Server a new product from Microsoft?
Windows Embedded Server is not a new product. It is identical to the versions of Windows Server available on
the market in terms of versions and features. The difference lies in the licensing and limitations to customers. You
can readily obtain relevant technical information regarding Windows Server via the Microsoft website.

■■ How do I obtain a Windows Embedded Server license?

Windows Embedded Server is available only through a Microsoft Authorized Embedded Distributor. To obtain
the latest distributor information, please visit:
www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/partners/distributors/search.mspx

■■ What are the licensing terms of Windows Embedded Server?

The application is for a specific purpose only and cannot be used in conjunction with general-purpose PCs.
Nor can it be used with other commercial applications such as accounting, email, word processing, and CRM.
The Embedded Application must be preinstalled with the operating system on the server and shipped with the
hardware. For more detailed information, refer to the software licensing document.

■■ What is the difference between Windows Embedded Server and other Microsoft licensing models
(such as Microsoft Open License Programs and Open Value Subscription)?
The most important difference is that there are no specific-purpose requirements with other types of Microsoft
licenses. However, Windows Embedded Server is a licensing model introduced for specific-purpose solutions.
Therefore an embedded software application is required to provide the primary functionality of such solutions.

■■ How can you provide proof that the products provided to the customer are genuine Microsoft products?
The same way Microsoft software on a laptop computer is licensed through labels affixed to the bottom of the unit,
all Windows Embedded Server products come with Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels.

Please contact a Microsoft Authorized Embedded Distributor

For more information on Windows Embedded Server products, please visit:

www.microsoft.com/windowsembedded/en-us/products/server/default.mspx

© 2014 Microsoft. All rights reserved. Part No. 098-117673

This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.
Some examples are for illustration only and are fictitious. No real association is intended or inferred.