Microsoft Licensing Explained (XP, Vista, Server 2003)

If any of you have tried to understand Microsoft licensing laws you know how frustrating and confusing it is. I wrote a brief explanation below for Windows XP, Vista and Server 2003.

- Windows XP Windows XP is pretty easy. If you come to buy a new PC usually pre-installed with Windows XP. If it is a desktop, the COA is usually on the side of the case. For notebooks, the sticker is usually underneath. L 'Sticker containing the product key is the Windows license. You can use your license on a PC. You can transfer to another PC, but you must remove Windows from the original PC first. Activation of Windows XP for an unlimited number of times. Please note that if there were fewer than 120 days between activations had to call Microsoft to activate by phone.

- Windows Vista

The same rules apply to Vista to XP with some minorChanges. Are two activities on the Internet allows. If this is passed, you must call Microsoft to activate. Common reasons for the need to reactivate Windows are: reformatting the hard drive, switch to another Windows PC, a change in the hardware (usually by changing the motherboard).

- Windows Server 2003

This becomes very confusing. First of all, able to explain briefly the two most common uses for a server.

1. ApplicationServer - Log Users in the server to run applications directly installed on the server. Typical Call Terminal Services.

2. File Server - unit of data is mapped from servers to workstations, in order to have a common path for the files and / or databases.

If you install Windows Server 2003 should be just like XP and Vista will be activated. If you buy the operating system, it is usually with 5 user licenses. If you intend to use it as an application server(Terminal Services), the 5 titles does not mean you can save up to 5 users on the server. You still have to buy terminal services user licenses for each user that you are connecting. These 5 licenses that come with the licensing of Windows operating system. So let's say you have 10 users who need a connection. You will then need 10 user licenses and 10 terminal services user licenses for a total of 20 licenses for 10 users. Confused? Well, it gets better.

You can use theServer 2003, titles in two different ways to distribute: Device or Per User.

- For units

This is a Microsoft "A Per Device CAL gives each client computer the right and 2003 access to a server with Windows Terminal Server. The per-device CAL is stored locally and presented to the terminal server each time the client computer connection to the server. "

What does it mean that "device" is enabled by default and a lot ofWorkstation that is trying to connect, the TS licenses stored locally and presented for the connection to the server during the attempt. Per Device licenses can not be transferred to other computers.

- Per User

Also from Microsoft "In Per User licensing mode, you need a license for each user. With the granting of licenses per user, a user can access a terminal server from an unlimited number of devices and only one CAL for each site a CALDevice. "

What does it mean that you must manually set the server to per-user TS licensing. Then install the licenses on the server so that if a user used in an available license Log attempted. You can have as many users as the appropriate licenses.

The "per user" approach is not pursued. This means that there is no way to enforce the terms of the license and you can overcome your connections. For example, if you only have 5 licenses, and are set to "Per User" is hereis nothing stopping you from connecting 100 users. Please note that this is in violation of Microsoft's End User License Agreement.

For more information, visit the site to find the Microsoft.

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