Base CAL
Catalog row in Vendor License Metrics · Cited
- Unit
- Other
- Aliases
- Base Access License; Base CAL; Windows Server 2025 CAL; SQL Server 2025 CAL
- Definition
- The Product Terms Access Licenses tables name the minimum client access license as Base Access License. For Windows Server: Windows Server 2025 CAL, and CAL Equivalent License (refer to CAL and ML Equivalency). For SQL Server: SQL Server 2025 CAL. Additive CAL means a CAL that must be used on conjunction with a base CAL. (Microsoft Product Terms — Windows Server and SQL Server Access Licenses; Glossary, Additive CAL.)
- Counting rules
- Assign the corresponding Base Access License (user or device, as appropriate) for access to standard server functionality, except as the product Access Licenses section states. Windows Server exception: users do not need Windows Server CALs when accessing the server software solely to sync between an Active Directory infrastructure running on Customer’s Licensed Servers and Microsoft Entra ID. CAL Equivalent License means a User SL or External Connector License identified in a Product’s Server Software Access table, or a CAL suite or SL as identified in CAL and ML Equivalency Licenses; a CAL suite is a CAL Equivalent License only if Customer purchased the License after the Server Product’s Date Available or if Customer had active SA coverage as of the Date Available.
- Floors / minimums
- One Base Access License per accessing user or device (or a qualifying CAL Equivalent License). Additive CALs do not replace the Base Access License.
- Applies to products
- Windows Server
- Related metrics
- Related from
- Product category