Windows Server Question

[waynehartwig]

Does the number of CAL's effect the number of people connecting on the web side? Say a web server with 2003 loaded on it. If I only have 5 CAL's, can only 5 people connect to my website at one time?

I want to make sure this is not the case before I go buying server 2003 with only 5 licenses....

Also, which version should I get? Would small business standard be ok? Or do I need something even fancier?

 

[Badger]

i wouldn't think so .if you are buying a program with 5 licenses then you can run 5 seperate servers off of the one disk legally.thats what i would think

 

[mbryson]

I just called my retailer and I'm still not sure I'm 100% clear, but here's what I learnt.

CAL= client access license=which equals how many devices can log in to the server

Web Server (IIS, I assume?)=does not affect CAL as it's a web server.


Honestly, I'd rehash it with your retailer and take good notes and names in case there's any issues (probably never, but it's always good to CYA in this kind of situation). There are some limitations to Small Business Server but I can't remember exactly what they were.

 

[toys4rocks]

5 CALS means 5 "Per seat Licenses". Server licenses are different from CALS.

If you only have 5 licenses, you can legally only have 5 people to your server.

EDIT: I don't know how this pertains to IIS though.

 

[waynehartwig]

I just called my retailer and I'm still not sure I'm 100% clear, but here's what I learnt.

CAL= client access license=which equals how many devices can log in to the server

Web Server (IIS, I assume?)=does not affect CAL as it's a web server.


Honestly, I'd rehash it with your retailer and take good notes and names in case there's any issues (probably never, but it's always good to CYA in this kind of situation). There are some limitations to Small Business Server but I can't remember exactly what they were.

This is how I understand it as well.... Basically 5 client PC's can connect at once, but as a webserver it's virtually unlimited. But I just wanted to ask to be sure I understood it correctly!

 

[waynehartwig]

5 CALS means 5 "Per seat Licenses". Server licenses are different from CALS.

If you only have 5 licenses, you can legally only have 5 people to your server.

EDIT: I don't know how this pertains to IIS though.

Have 5 people? On the network as a client PC or connected through a webserver? I think these are different...

 

[kobyhud]

For a simple web server I would recommend not wasting your money on windows, do one of the ix flavors.

Although I wouldn't put windows on any server: For a file server in a windows network there are some advantages to a windows server for some programs like ACT/GoldMine etc. Also I suppose windows is good if you are looking at exchange or something for your mail.

If you want any recommendations about this I would be happy to help. I just hate seeing people pay money for a crappy server.

 

[mbryson]

..........If you want any recommendations about this I would be happy to help. I just hate seeing people pay money for a crappy server.

 

[waynehartwig]

For a simple web server I would recommend not wasting your money on windows, do one of the ix flavors.

Although I wouldn't put windows on any server: For a file server in a windows network there are some advantages to a windows server for some programs like ACT/GoldMine etc. Also I suppose windows is good if you are looking at exchange or something for your mail.

If you want any recommendations about this I would be happy to help. I just hate seeing people pay money for a crappy server.

We've been all over this before!!! I would much rather have a 'nix box. I know nothing about 'nix and have offered to pay people to set it up. I've even gone as far as offering a brand new winch to get it setup, and still nothing. Some of the people were flakes and never showed up (or called) when they said they would. I shouldn't have to beg someone to take my junk! I've been f'ing with this thing for almost a year!! I'm tired of paying for super fast internet for just home use and still paying for a crappy web host!

Now then, I know Microsoft, so I'm setting up a MS box and need to know how many licenses I should get to host a web server. Do you know?

 

[toys4rocks]

Have 5 people? On the network as a client PC or connected through a webserver? I think these are different...

Through a LAN, you can only have five "clients". Through a WAN, I am not sure.

 

[Caleb]

Some of the people were flakes and never showed up (or called) when they said they would.

and to answer your question, you'll be fine. At a company I admin for we use to run a webserver off a Windows 2003 server box, it did have 20 liscenses but all those were used by the machines in their day training room.

 

[78mitsu]

Windows Cals don't figure into web services, IIS is CAL independent. as IAS isn't so you don't need to worry about that, also MS licenses aren't operationally enforced, they are an honesty based license. You will need a bigger box to run an IIS box as opposed to an apache server. I would recommend that you don't turn on any of the ASP.net or ASP options unless you REALLY need them. You need to be pretty well informed about IIS if you want to manage it. another recommendation for webservers in general, write protect the directories, keeps hackers from futsing around with your site, unless they get your password or -a rights.

 

[mbryson]

............. You need to be pretty well informed about IIS if you want to manage it. ...........

I think that about sums up IIS, IMHO.

 

[waynehartwig]

Thanks!
I was planning on running Apache and a PIX as well...

 

[scoutabout]

The CAL's are only for Windows services, and that doesn't include IIS. If you use Windows user authentication to password protect your site (or areas of your site), then it requires a CAL for each concurrent user. If you use file sharing, print services, AD, etc then you'd be in the same CAL boat with those services.

To just run IIS and ASP/ASP.NET apps you'll be fine.

Don't believe the hype. *nix installations aren't any better than a patched, well managed Windows IIS server. I've run both for years. If you keep your Windows machine updated with all the security patches as they come out, you'll never have a problem. Each platform has it's own strengths and weaknesses, and should be chosen depending on the task.

Why don't you just host with someone? Win2k3 is pricey compared to what you can get in an online deal. Plus you don't have to worry about updates, backups, etc.

 

[Caleb]

Why don't you just host with someone? Win2k3 is pricey compared to what you can get in an online deal. Plus you don't have to worry about updates, backups, etc.

search for some other posts by him, he thinks he can do a better job...

 

[kobyhud]

I would be happy to set up a linux server for you for a winch. Apparently I wasn't watching the posts at that time.

 

[scoutabout]

search for some other posts by him, he thinks he can do a better job...

Oh. Wayne, the fact that you're asking about CAL's tells me otherwise.

I've written drivers included in the Linux kernel, managed more *nix and windows servers than I care to remember, and I still have someone else do my hosting. I'd highly recommend looking into it.

By the way, I like the new stickers on your J**p. Saw you out washing your rig yesterday.

 

[Caleb]

Oh. Wayne, the fact that you're asking about CAL's tells me otherwise.

I've written drivers included in the Linux kernel, managed more *nix and windows servers than I care to remember, and I still have someone else do my hosting. I'd highly recommend looking into it.

By the way, I like the new stickers on your J**p. Saw you out washing your rig yesterday.

don't waste your breath, we tried

not to meniton connection speeds, connection redundancy, server redundancy, etc...

I host my own personal stuff, mostly to play around with and make it nice and quick to transfer files, however I would never consider hosting a business out of my home.

 

[Herzog]

however I would never consider hosting a business out of my home.

Me neither, unless I had the money burning a hole in my wallet for the pipelines, equipment, v10 backup generator, etc...

How cool would it be to have a datacenter in your house?