mrgettys
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SBS 2003 License Warning Message
Our SBS 2003 server has been displaying the following warning message: License usage for a product licensed in per server mode is nearing the maximum number of licenses purchased.
Thru the Licensing Administrative Tool, I can see that the maximum usage number is greater than the installed licenses number. I'm assuming this warning message is an indication that we need to buy more licenses. MY QUESTION IS - How do I know which product license the warning message is referring to (if this matters) AND how do I know if we have client or device licenses already installed on the server?
Thru the Licensing Administrative Tool, I can see that the maximum usage number is greater than the installed licenses number. I'm assuming this warning message is an indication that we need to buy more licenses. MY QUESTION IS - How do I know which product license the warning message is referring to (if this matters) AND how do I know if we have client or device licenses already installed on the server?
you are only allowed 75...how many are you using?
ASKER
The installed licenses is 20. The maximum usage is 28.
switch it to per seat mode.
Sounds like you need to have it setup as per seat instead or per server...
Ummm.. What??? Intense Angel & xcromx, Neither of you have asked how many users, workstations and servers this gentleman has at this facilty and so how would you surmise that he needs to switch to Per Seat mode?
Per seat would allow him to run without the hassle, and expense. Not many companies run per server anymore, why would you?
And...since he has said that he has 20 seats installed I assumed that he bought the 20 seat package of SBS and now has reached 28. Granted he should buy more CAL's, but he should also switch to per seat because it is more economical.
Per server CAL will allow you to access one server...does not count towards other servers.
Per seat allows device or user to connect to any server.
Per User/Per Device mode tends to be the most economical designation for Windows CALs in distributed computing environments where multiple servers within an organization provide services across most devices or users.
And...since he has said that he has 20 seats installed I assumed that he bought the 20 seat package of SBS and now has reached 28. Granted he should buy more CAL's, but he should also switch to per seat because it is more economical.
Per server CAL will allow you to access one server...does not count towards other servers.
Per seat allows device or user to connect to any server.
Per User/Per Device mode tends to be the most economical designation for Windows CALs in distributed computing environments where multiple servers within an organization provide services across most devices or users.
Why would you, OK, I'll give you an example. One of my clients is a call center. They run 2 shifts, one with 9 employees and another with 7. They are only running one server. If they switched to per Seat, they would need a total of 16 Licenses, but instead they are running per server, which only counts towards concurrent connections "Per Server", so the the 10 user license they have is fine.
Again, you can't just make assumptions about what people need. You have to ask questions, you have to remember that there's a reason why there are different licensing models.
Again, you can't just make assumptions about what people need. You have to ask questions, you have to remember that there's a reason why there are different licensing models.
juan...you are assuming that he is running one server...I don't see you asking any questions at all. All you have done at this point is argue. And I am very aware of licensing models and how they work. Did mrgetty say that there is multiple shifts? No...without him writing a book, we would assume that this is a daytime concurrent situation.
mrgettys....A SBS 2003 server appears to follow per seat/per user licensing model (see link below). Correct me if I am wrong but it sounds like you bought the license with 20 CAL's. You should be able to go into the liscense manager and increase the amount of seats you have to get it to stop complaining. You then will need to but some more CAL's to match your usage. Or...switch to per seat mode.
Here are some links for you to understand licensing for SBS 2003..... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/howtobuy/CALs.mspx
Licensing per seat vs. per server....
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/caloverview.mspx
mrgettys....A SBS 2003 server appears to follow per seat/per user licensing model (see link below). Correct me if I am wrong but it sounds like you bought the license with 20 CAL's. You should be able to go into the liscense manager and increase the amount of seats you have to get it to stop complaining. You then will need to but some more CAL's to match your usage. Or...switch to per seat mode.
Here are some links for you to understand licensing for SBS 2003..... http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/howtobuy/CALs.mspx
Licensing per seat vs. per server....
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/caloverview.mspx
I'm not assuming anything.
I was only making an observation that you didn't ask any questions before giving advice. I don't know and you don't know what the best licensing model is for this person, until he clarifies his situation. You also said, "Not many companies run per server anymore, why would you?" so I attempted to answer that question for you. A lot of my clients run multiple shifts and require "Per Server" or "Per Device" licensing.
I fully understand MS licensing policy, as to this regard and there's nothing in those links that refutes anything that I've said. There are definitly some situations where Per Server, would be the best way to go. Would it be so in this case, I have no idea, the Author still hasn't clarified his situation.
I was only making an observation that you didn't ask any questions before giving advice. I don't know and you don't know what the best licensing model is for this person, until he clarifies his situation. You also said, "Not many companies run per server anymore, why would you?" so I attempted to answer that question for you. A lot of my clients run multiple shifts and require "Per Server" or "Per Device" licensing.
I fully understand MS licensing policy, as to this regard and there's nothing in those links that refutes anything that I've said. There are definitly some situations where Per Server, would be the best way to go. Would it be so in this case, I have no idea, the Author still hasn't clarified his situation.
ASKER
Intense Angel and juanfermin,
I'm sorry I haven't replied before now but I really appreciate your discussions. It has really helped this server novice understand the different aspects of the licensing. For the record, we have 5 separate servers with 16 local client users and 4 printers/scanners. We also have 6 - 8 remote users who connect thru their remote desktop sessions at various times during the 1st shift work day (7 AM until 6 PM).
I hope this helps to clear up any confusion I may have caused. Any additional comments would be greatly appreciated.
I'm sorry I haven't replied before now but I really appreciate your discussions. It has really helped this server novice understand the different aspects of the licensing. For the record, we have 5 separate servers with 16 local client users and 4 printers/scanners. We also have 6 - 8 remote users who connect thru their remote desktop sessions at various times during the 1st shift work day (7 AM until 6 PM).
I hope this helps to clear up any confusion I may have caused. Any additional comments would be greatly appreciated.
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ASKER
Actually, we have (1) SBS 2003, (2) Windows Server 2003 - Standard Edition, (1) Windows 2000 Server, and (1) Microsoft 2000.
I didn't dream all of this up - I just walked into it a few weeks ago.
I didn't dream all of this up - I just walked into it a few weeks ago.
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Oh and BTW, it sounds like for the number of users you have, you should just buy a 10Pack to add on to the Server
ASKER
One last question.....Can you tell me the steps necessary to change to license from per server to per seat? Is that possible or do we consider purchasing per seat licenses in the future?
Thanks!
Thanks!