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Server 2016 Standard CALs

Hello,

First deployment of a MS Server 2016 Standard. The client purchased 3 "Windows Server 2016 CAL 5 Device" with their server. I tried like crazy to locate the licensing manager or even add the role but I am not able to determine if these are pre-installed in some manner or if they are needing to be entered like previously. These are NOT RDP CALs, just users.

If pre-installed, the system had to be formatted because a Windows Update error-ed out and jacked up the OS so they clean installed the OS prior to having me set up the Hyper-V, etc. Did the reformat wipe the licenses or is there some way for me to check?

Lastly, if I have to install them somehow, they should still be on the Host since that is the DC and the VM is file sharing right?

Thanks!

SOLUTION

Cliff Galiher

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James Bunch

ASKER

@Cliff If that is the case then why was the client quoted and purchased these 15 CALs from the vendor. Even the stickers on the CAL pack don't have serials like the ones in the past did, just some bar-coded numbering sequence. I mean when adding up the potential users that could be on the server at any given time it would equal to about 15, so its pretty much calculated by someone that sent the packs to us.

Cliff Galiher

You still *need* CALs. I didn't say you didn't. I said you don't *INSTALL* CALs. So when you call a vendor and they ask how many users or devices, that's how many CALs you need. Licensing CALs has been on the "honor system" for nearly two decades, though Microsoft does have the right to do an audit to ensure compliance. But there is no technical tracking system built into windows. SBS 2003 was the last version of Windows I ever saw that required installing and activating OS CALs.

James Bunch

ASKER

Also, the following link on their site says that they are CAL based, but no documentation on how to add them correctly.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/windows-server-2016.aspx

James Bunch

ASKER

I was replying before I seen your second one. Well that can make some sense then and I can have the consumer hold onto them for record keeping. It just seems like a really awkward system to have. Hope its working until it isn't lol.

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Hemil Aquino

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James Bunch

ASKER

Thanks guys. @Hemil always coming through with that precise explanation.