Question

Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Licensing (not R2)...How many computers?

Asked by: irwinpks

Hi All,

Need some clarification on this server OS.

Can a single copy of W2K3 Enterprise be used on multiple servers in a single location?  As I'm reading the product overview, it will handle 8 CPUs.  Based on the list below, that's 4 out 8 in use.

The scenario..
1 server with a single processor (Pentium 4) (Exchange)
1 server with a single processor (Pentium D) (Webserver only)
1 server with a dual processor (Core 2 Duo) (Webserver only)

no more than 5 users on the internal network.  The OS comes with 25 CALs.

Please supply supporting reference (other than the mumbo jumbo from Microsoft)

Thank you.

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Asked On
2009-08-09 at 19:11:56ID24638825
Tags

Windows 2003 Enterprise License

Topic

Windows 2003 Server

Participating Experts
1
Points
125
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: ecsrdPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:19:33ID: 25056810

Windows 2003 Enterprise allows for installation on ONE physical server which may contain up to 8 >>>physical<<< CPUs (Core2 processors are single CPU processors with multiple cores and are NOT considered to be 2 CPUs (or 4 in a Core2 Quad)).  Therefore, while you could run a single server with 8 physical processors in it and virtualize (with Server 2008 Enterprise, you can virtualize up to 4 server 2008 installs), you can only install 1 instance of the OS on 1 server.

Hope that explains it - I can't find any supporting documenation for Server 2003 anymore, though others here will I'm sure confirm my information if you require it.

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:37:27ID: 25056847

@ecsrd...thank you for your response.  Though I'm still confused.

A main reason is that I've never seen an 8-CPU motherboard before.  In addition, the server OS is billed as scalable.  Now, if I install the software on one machine, say the Core2 duo, in order for me to actually take advantage of the "scalable", I would generally have to max out on the RAM, and hardrive space.  OR replace the computer entirely...

So where does the scalable come into play?

Anyway, I'm trying to understand the licensing process of this product to take advantage of it.  I may be better off purchasing 3 copies of Windows 2003 Standard.

Still need a reference link.

 

by: ecsrdPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:40:42ID: 25056859

Are you planning on Server 2003 or Server 2008?

8-CPU motherboards are called 8-way servers and are quite common in higher end enterprise class servers - you can even purchase 16-way servers from Dell, HP and IBM.

Scalability refers to the ability to add users to the system, not multiple servers.  Depending on your environment (# of users, Apps, etc) I can probably recommend for you best solution.  As for a link, as I said, server 2003 is pretty much retired, so its hard to find any information on it anymore.

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:53:51ID: 25056908

@escrd

Hmmm....I would think that any NOS would be scalable.  If that is the case, then Windows 2003 Standard would suffice my needs.

I'll wait for 1 more input and will score accordingly.  Thank you.

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:54:32ID: 25056911

@escrd

2003...the software is a bargain on Ebay.  And with copies on Ebay of Windows 2K3 Server Ent. (which would by $4k in it's hey-day) is $300 for a non-used copy.

 

by: ecsrdPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:55:22ID: 25056917

I would really be concerned with buying it off Ebay - you risk it already being activated and being worthless to you.

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2009-08-09 at 19:59:02ID: 25056926

@escrd

yes...I'm aware of buyer beware....the product is coming from a known seller with almost 100% feedback from similar software that was sold.

 

by: ecsrdPosted on 2009-08-09 at 20:00:07ID: 25056932

Sounds like you've found yourself a deal, and yes, Server 2003 Standard would be the best way to go for your implementation then - remember, standard does not come with as many CALs though!

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2009-08-09 at 20:04:06ID: 25056946

@escrd

I just need 5 CALs.

 

by: ecsrdPosted on 2009-08-09 at 20:09:43ID: 25056959

You're set then! :)

 

by: irwinpksPosted on 2009-08-09 at 20:26:08ID: 31613530

@ecsrd

I've visited Dell and checked out their multi-processor systems...so, I'll score this.

Thank you for your help.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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