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Microsoft Metric

Server/CAL

Catalog row in Vendor License Metrics · Cited

Unit
Other
Aliases
Server/CAL (SQL Server); Server + CAL; Server+CAL; Server Licenses (per Instance)
Definition
For Products under the Server/CAL License Model, customer may use one Instance of server software in either a Physical OSE or Virtual OSE on a Licensed Server for each Server License it acquires. (Microsoft Product Terms — SQL Server, License Model: Server/CAL.)
Counting rules
Server Licenses (per Instance): one Instance of server software in either a Physical OSE or Virtual OSE on a Licensed Server for each Server License. Access Licenses: Except as described in the Product Terms, all server software access requires CALs. CALs are not required for access by another Licensed Server. External User Access Requirements: CALs (Server/CAL editions only). Client access licenses may be assigned by user or device, as appropriate. Base Access License: SQL Server 2025 CAL. Subscription licenses or licenses with active Software Assurance only: when licensing by Virtual OSE, Customer may reassign Server Licenses to any Licensed Server in the same Server Farm as often as needed; reassignment from one Server Farm to another is not on a short-term basis (not within 90 days). All CALs used to access the software under this model must also be acquired as subscription licenses or have active Software Assurance.
Floors / minimums
One Server License per entitled Instance as stated in the Server/CAL License Model. The Product Terms do not state a core minimum under Server/CAL.
Applies to products
  • SQL Server
Applies to editions
  • Standard
Applies to versions
  • 2025
Related from
Product category
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