Client access licenses - Cals

Microsoft Windows Server Operating System (OS) Licenses

When a business purchases a Windows Server Operating System they receive a license that allows them to install the operating system onto the server. However, the Windows Server license does not give them the right for users or devices to connect to the server – This is where client access licenses come in. Once you have an operating system for the server you will need to purchase CALS alongside the license should you wish to have devices, or users, connected to the server.

A Windows Server CAL (Client Access License) is a license that allows your business or organisation to access Windows Server to allow Users and/or Devices to access and to then utilize the services of that server. If you have Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2, 2012, 2016, 2019, 2022 Datacentre or Standard editions of the operating system you can add on CAL’s. Essentials’ version of the operating system cannot have additional CAL’s added to them. This two-component license models provides a low entry price and a way to pay for capacity used within server operating systems thus: the more devices or users accessing the server software, the greater the license fees or price. This model therefore offers license affordability to companies of all sizes for data driven benefits.

What are the different types of CALs?.

User CALs: allow a single user access to Windows Server from an unlimited number of devices. If an organisation has roaming employees who need to contact the corporate network from multiple devices then this is the CAL they need.
Device CALs: allow an unlimited number of users to access Windows Server from a single device for example shifts or multiple users for each device then this is the type they need.

If you wish to have Remote Desktop functionality then you will also need Remote Desktop Services CAL’s available in USER or DEVICE form in addition to the CAL’s above. We offer Client Access License’s to accommodate your license to enable more user’s or device’s so that you have no limits for your commercial environment. We endeavour to fulfil all your challenging software queries relating to your Server licensing. See CAL prices below;