SQL Server Licensing: Are Windows Server CAL's required?

Question

If I purchase a SQL Server 2008 Processor license, this permits any number of users to connect to the database instance. Users will typically connect through one or more application servers running WS08 Web Edition, and are authenticated through the hosted application (not AD or otherwise). The users belong to various different organisations not affiliated with the hosting company. The SQL Server instance will be running on WS08 Standard Edition.

If there are (say) 300 concurrent authenticated users who are querying the database server through the hosted application, will I need 300 Operating System CALs to correctly license their access?

What is the most cost effective way to license a Microsoft SQL Server database server for access by many users?

Answer 1

Hi,

I suspect in your paticular scenario that you would find it more cost effective to purchase a processor license, dependent on the number of physical CPU's in your server.

The following reference provides the licensing pricing structure for SQL Server 2008

http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/pricing.aspx