Client Access Licenses (CALs)

CALs are software licenses that allow clients to use the services of specific server software. Most commercial desktop applications are licensed in such a way that one license is required for each installation to use a particular application.

However, some server software is licensed by requiring the purchase of a separate license for the server application instance and also for each device or user that accesses directly or indirectly the server application itself. For example, an instance of Windows Server 2016 Standard for which ten user CALs have been purchased allows 10 different users to access the server.

Did you know?

Every security camera directly recording video on Windows Server have to have its CAL license.

The following table provides a brief introduction to access licensing of common Microsoft products.

Microsoft Windows Server User / Device CAL

This license allows a single device or user to access and use the Windows server infrastructure.

Microsoft Windows Server External Connector

This license allows an unlimited number of external users to access and use Windows Server.

Microsoft SQL User / Device CAL

This license allows one device or user to use directly or indirectly SQL Server services as part of the server infrastructure.

Microsoft Exchange User / Device CAL

This license allows one device or user to use Exchange Server services as part of the server infrastructure.

Microsoft SharePoint User / Device CAL

This license allows one device or user to use SharePoint Server as part of the server infrastructure.

Microsoft Project User / Device CAL

This license allows one device or user to use Project Server services within the server infrastructure. It should be specified that Microsoft Project Professional license that comes from the Microsoft Volume Licensing program has an integrated access license.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) User / Device CAL (RDP)

This license allows one device or user to use and access Terminal Server/RDS services in the server infrastructure. It should be mentioned that access licenses have a cumulative function, which means that it must always be precisely determined where they are accessed and what services are used by a particular device/user within one server infrastructure.

Did you know that?

Even the attendance system terminal, recording the arrivals and departures of employees and working with their database, must have its client access licenses for the server and the database.

Licensing information

Some rules are simple. If a user accesses the server infrastructure, it means that a CAL must be purchased for Microsoft Windows Server users. If the user needs to use the RDS service (terminal server), it is necessary to purchase a Microsoft RDS User CAL, etc.

However, if your Windows Server runs an application that uses SQL Server, even if the user does not work directly with the SQL database, but uses this application, it is an indirect access and this specific user needs an SQL CAL license. That is why it is advisable to contact a licensing expert for licensing complex corporate infrastructure.

Did you know?

Microsoft offers CoreCAL access license packages that include common combinations of access CALs (such as Windows Server, Exchange, SharePoint, Skype for Business and System Center client ML) at a discounted price.

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