Difference b/w connecting to SQL Server from ASP.net and Desktop application. In terms of CAL?

Question

-What is difference between connection to SQL Server from ASP.net and Desktop application?

• Why purchasing a Client Access License (CAL) for every device that accesses your server is not needed in web?

• If I have a CAL for 10 devices and I need one more device to connect to SQL Server, can I do this using Web service?

Thanks

Answer 1

In terms of CAL licensing (which I'm assuming is the primary point of the question as opposed to what the functional difference is between ASP.NET and desktop apps), there is basically zero difference. Multiplexing of any kind does not in any way reduce the number of CALs required to fully license you Sql Server. In the case of web servers/services, the number of CALs required is tied to the distinct end-users/devices, not the number of web servers/services you have/use.

Answer 2

Lots. You can't "multiplex".

Discussed here: MSSQL - How many users do I really need?

Answer 3

You need one CAL for each unique remote user, regardless of whether you're using any intermediate multiplexing.

That's why SQL Server is licensed on a per-socket (CPU) basis for web applications. CALs are only appropriate for Intranet or fixed-license applications.