How are SQL Server CALs counted?

Posted by Sam on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Sam
Published on 2010-03-08T10:37:11Z Indexed on 2010/03/08 10:38 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 287

Filed under:

sql-server

|

licensing

Running a SQL Server, as far as I understand it, you need one CAL for every user who connects to the database server.

But what happens if the only computer which is accessing the SQL Server is the server running your business layer?
If, for example, you got 1 SQL Server and 1 Business logic server, and 100 Clients who all just query and use the business logic server. No client is using the SQL Server directly, no one is even allowed to contact it.
So, since there is only one computer using the SQL server, do I need only 1 CAL???

I somehow can't believe this would count as only 1 CAL needed for the SQL Server, but I would like to know why not.

© Server Fault or respective owner

Related posts about sql-server

SQL SERVER – Beginning SQL Server: One Step at a Time – SQL Server Magazine

as seen on SQL Authority - Search for 'SQL Authority'
I am glad to announce that along with SQLAuthority.com, I will be blogging on the prominent site of SQL Server Magazine. My very first blog post there is already live; read here: Beginning SQL Server: One Step at a Time. My association with SQL Server Magazine has been quite long, I have written nearly… >>> More
How to install SQL Server 2005 Configuration Manager without installing SQL Server Management Studio

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
Hi, I need to configure SQL Server aliases on a public-facing production server. To do that, I need to install SQL Server Configuration Manager. I was not able to find a standalone installer for that, so I am having to install SQL Server 2005 Client Components. This approach is not ideal as we don't… >>> More
[MAJ] SQL Server 2005 Express Edition - La version gratuite de SQL Server 2005

as seen on ASP-PHP.net - Search for 'ASP-PHP.net'
Modification technique pour le site de l'article. >>> More
How to create SQL Server Express DB from SQL Server DB

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I have a SQL Server 2008 DB. I want to extract SOME tables (and associated schema, constraints, indexes, etc) and create a SQL Server Express DB. It isn't a sync of the target, we stomp on it. We ONLY need to do this in the file system (not across the wire). We are not fond of the synchronization… >>> More
sql server 2000 error, error trying to connect to sql server 2005

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
i am connecting to sql server 2000 on a remote computer with a dotnet application, but when i try to open the connection it gives the following error: When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections What… >>> More

Related posts about licensing

Windows Server 2008 / SQL 2008 Licensing for Authenticated Web Application

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
Hello, I'm trying to crunch some numbers to see what the software costs involved are for hosting an application we are developing. Users will not be anonymous - they will need to log in. SQL Server 2008: SQL Server licensing is easy - it will be licensed per-processor. No real fuss there. The… >>> More
Copy protection and licensing tools.

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
I'm new to stackoverflow.com after hearing about it from Jon Skeet on DotNetRocks.This seems like the perfect place to ask this question. I am in the middle of trying to find a 3rd party Copy protection and licensing tool. The company that I work with have 4 products that need to be protected. We… >>> More
Don't Forget About Software Licensing

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
Is your company developing software for sale or distribution? If yes, your company needs a sales policy and a flexible, commercially feasible licensing model. >>> More
Need help with software licensing? Read on…

as seen on Geeks with Blogs - Search for 'Geeks with Blogs'
Figuring out which software licensing options best suit your needs while being cost-effective can be confusing. Some businesses end up making their purchases through retail stores which means they miss out on volume licensing opportunities and others may unknowingly be using unlicensed software which… >>> More
Can I use `UnlockCommercialFeatures` for developing Java applications without a commercial license?

as seen on Programmers - Search for 'Programmers'
As of Java 7 Update 40, Oracle is now including Java Mission Control in the JDK. Being always interested in a new profiling tool, I decided to check it out. However, trying to start Flight Recorder against a process, I get the following error, Now I'm getting cold feet about adding the JVM option… >>> More