Can I switch from the SQL Server 2005 server plus CAL licensing model to the processor licensing model or from the processor licensing model to the server plus CAL licensing model?
A. Yes, it is possible to switch your licensing model, but it requires you to purchase the appropriate licenses, which often does not make economic sense until you upgrade to a new version of the product. Generally, switching from server plus device CALs or server plus user CALs to processor licenses makes sense only when you need to allow Internet and extranet access or when the number of users is expected to grow significantly, in which case moving to per processor licensing is more cost-effective. Note: should you choose to switch from CALs to the processor licensing model, Microsoft does not provide credit for the CALs you may have already acquired.Unlike SQL Server version 7.0 and other previous versions that enabled a one-time conversion from “per-server” (now per processor) to “per-seat CAL” (now device CAL) licensing at no cost, the per processor licensing model and server/CAL licensing model differ in price and benefit so the one-time switch is not possible.
Related Questions
- Can I switch from the SQL Server 2005 server plus CAL licensing model to the processor licensing model or from the processor licensing model to the server plus CAL licensing model?
- Which licensing model should I choose—the server plus device CAL, the server plus user CAL, or the processor license?
- How would MOM 2000 customers with per processor licenses upgrade to this new per server licensing model?
