Licensing of Windows Server 2008 R2, which is available through multiple channels as of Oct. 2009, remains generally consistent with its predecessor, Windows Server 2008, and client licenses for Windows Server 2008 grant access to R2 instances. Licensing models, product usage rules (such as how many OS instances can be run without extra charge under virtualization), the number of editions and differences between them, and product pricing remain almost identical. The upshot: customers already licensed for Windows Server 2008 can upgrade their servers incrementally, at modest and predictable cost, without triggering the expense of purchasing new CALs for all their users.

Introduction

• Types of volume licensing programs through which customers can purchase Windows Server licenses

• Summary of the major Windows Server licensing and packaging changes made between December 2005 and January 2010

Server Editions

• General-purpose Windows Server editions (Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter), special purpose Web Server and Itanium editions, and free Hyper-V Server product

• Target markets, technical differences, usage rights granted, and licensing model and prices

• License suites that include Windows Server server licenses

Virtualization Considerations

• Licenses are assigned to physical servers, not VMs

• Frequency that server OS licenses can be reassigned

• When Datacenter Edition’s special virtualization rights make it the best choice

• How Microsoft server applications virtualization rules differ from Windows Server OS rules

Client Licensing

• Rules that govern Windows Server client access licenses (CALs); situations where client licenses are not required

• License suites that include Windows Server CALs

• License price

Remote Desktop Services

• Scenarios that require Remote Desktop Services (RDS), which is built into Windows Server, but licensed separately

• Changes made to RDS licensing since Windows Server 2008, including new right to use Application Virtualization (App-V) to install applications in the RDS Session Host (called the Terminal Server role in prior versions of Windows Server)

• Licensing options: RDS CALs, RDS External Connector, subscription-based Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Suites

Active Directory Rights Management Services

• Scenarios that require Active Directory Rights Management Services (RMS), which is built into Windows Server, but licensed separately

• Licensing options: RDS CALs, RDS External Connector

Resources

• Where to go for additional information sources on topics related to Windows Server licensing

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