Questions about different scenarios of using CALs on Windows Server 2019

Question

Hi.

As an IT technician, I have some questions about two different scenarios of using CALs on Windows Server 2019 Essentials. I would like to understand the Windows Server 2019 licensing model to be able to setup users and devices correctly (and legally), so please, I really want your help on this!

Scenario 1:

A company has 7 people of staff (the manager and the reception of the company is included). Each people of the staff have its own desk and its own PC with Windows installed (some PCs have Windows 7 and the others have Windows 10 Home and Pro editions). Each PC of the staff is connected to the Company’s LAN.

The Server (physical machine) has Windows Server 2019 Essentials installed and is also connected to the Company’s LAN. Windows Server 2019 Essentials supports 25 User CALs and 50 Device CALs. The Server is used for file sharing only.

Questions:

1.a) How can I register the 7 different people of the staff to Windows Server? Do I just have to create 7 different [local] accounts to the Server with Username and Password and that’s it? Do I need to do anything else on the Server?

1.b) In Windows 7 and 10 on the client machines, am I forced to change their [local] Login usernames of the staff and make them identical to the usernames of the Server? Or it is OK (it is legal) to have whatever username I want in Windows of the clients, but when I map a network drive to the Server, I just need to use the credentials I created previously on the Server for this user?

1.c) Let’s say in some client PCs sits 2-3 different people of the staff (depending on the shifts in the Company), then how can I register these PCs as Devices in Windows Server 2019 Essentials?

Scenario 2:

In addition to the Scenario 1, let’s suppose that the Windows Server 2019 Essentials has also an SQL Server installed. An application installed on all of the client PCs of the staff needs to communicate with this SQL Server.

Also, a web server installed on a different company needs to communicate with this SQL Server through internet.

Questions:

2.a) Do I have to create different Users on Windows Server for the SQL Server to be able the application on the client PCs to communicate with it?

2.b) To be able the Web Server to communicate with the local Windows Server 2019 Essentials through internet for file sharing, what type of license is needed? User or Device CAL? Does Windows Server 2019 Essentials support connections through internet for file sharing? User or Device CAL is enough, or do I need something more?

2.c) Similarly as question 2.b, but now, the Web Server needs also to communicate through internet with the SQL Server installed in Windows Server 2019 Essentials. Is this supported with Essentials? What type of license is needed? User or Device CAL is enough, or do I need something more in here too?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Some info here on windows CALS

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license

Better to direct legal licensing questions to a trained microsoft licensing specialist or ask microsoft directly. This is why you won't find a licensing forum here. Any replies here from anonymous forums users would be opinions at best.

https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--

Answer 2

@Anonymous thank you for your info!

I just sent to Microsoft my questions.

If they reply me and help me, I will mark your reply as the answer of course. Otherwise, I will post here again.

To anyone:

Please, if someone has an answer even in 1 (or more) of my questions, write it here.

Thank you.

Answer 3

Sounds good, you're welcome, something here may also help.
https://community.hpe.com/t5/alliances/understanding-windows-server-client-access-licenses-cals/ba-p/7001696#.X4yQrxKSlPY

but these questions should be directed towards your reseller's trained licensing specialist or ask microsoft directly.

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--