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CAL licences (Client Access Licence) are necessary in many cases in order to have a fully legal licensing. At CHEAPFY you can buy CALs for Windows server, RDS, SQL server and Exchange Server, with documentation and traceability.
Microsoft Client Access Licenses (CALs) are an essential component in the management of enterprise networks using the company’s server software. If your company uses products such as Windows Server, Exchange Server or SQL Server, you will need these licenses in order for devices or users to access server services. Although CALs are not as well known as other software licences, they play a crucial role in managing efficient and secure business environments.
What are Microsoft CALs?
CALs (Client Access Licenses) are licenses that allow users or devices to legally access the services provided by a Microsoft server. Unlike standard licences, CALs do not grant the right to run the software itself, but authorise the connection and use of that server’s services. It is important to understand that in order to comply with Microsoft regulations, every user or device connecting to the server must be covered by a CAL.
For example, if your company uses Windows Server, each employee who wants to access the server’s resources will need either a user CAL or a device CAL. This ensures that both the company and the users comply with Microsoft’s licensing policies, avoiding penalties and legal problems in the future.
One thing to keep in mind is the version of the CAL licences, as they allow access to systems of the same or earlier versions, not later ones. For example: Buying Windows server 2019 User CAL licenses we will be able to access a server licensed with Windows server 2019, Windows server 2016 and Windows server 2012, but we will not be able to access if the server is licensed with Windows Server 2022.
CAL Types
USER CAL
User CAL licenses are linked to each user that will access the server; using services such as printing files, storage… regardless of the different devices they use.
It is the best option for companies with users who need to access the corporate network with different devices, or when these devices are unknown. We will save costs with this type of CAL if the number of devices exceeds the number of users.
DEVICE CAL
This type of CAL licence is tied to the device. Instead of licensing users, we license per machine regardless of the number of users using it.
This would be the recommended licensing option in companies where there are more users than devices; for example, if workers use the same device on different shifts, as might be the case in a contact centre company.
Software requiring CAL
- Windows Server CAL: This is the most common licence and the one that allows users or devices to access the functionality of a server running Windows Server. Windows Server CALs are required whether the server is accessed locally or remotely.
- Exchange Server CAL: To access a server running Exchange Server, Microsoft’s email and collaboration solution, a specific CAL is also required. Exchange Server CALs allow access to features such as mailboxes, shared calendars and other collaboration tools.
- SQL Server CAL: If your company uses SQL Server for database management, you will need additional CALs to allow users or devices to connect to the database server and access functionality, in some cases.
- Remote Desktop Services CAL (RDS CAL): In case you use Windows Remote Desktop Services (RDS), which allow users to access Windows applications or desktops remotely, you will also need specific CALs for this service. RDS CALs are a necessary extension of Windows Server CALs in this scenario.
Buy CALs from CHEAPFY
At CHEAPFY you can buy CALs for Windows Server, SQL Server, Exchange Server and RDS up to 70% cheaper. If you need a quote for a large volume of licenses, contact us for a personalised quote.
