Questions about User CALs

Question

Hi,

I have some questions about how many CALs should I have on a specific environment.

Currently it's something like this:

• All the AD DCs are Linux servers (Samba).
• 200 total AD users.

Not all of those 200 users will access services that are hosted on the Windows Server. Some of them are even retired employees who sometimes still access some systems which were developed by the internal team. They only use AD to authenticate on those systems.

The question is: even if the AD DC isn't a Windows Server, not all of those AD users accessing services hosted on those Windows Server, should I still buy User CALs for all of them, just because the Windows Servers and the Linux servers are on the same domain?

Answer 1

Something here may help.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license?rtc=1
https://community.hpe.com/t5/alliances/understanding-windows-server-client-access-licenses-cals/ba-p/7001696#.X67TRFqSlPY

Also note legal licensing questions are better directed towards your reseller's trained licensing specialist or ask microsoft directly.
https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/about/officelocator/default.aspx
or email volume licensing service.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/supportrequestform/2afa6f15-b710-db46-909a-8346017c802f?sl=en&sc=US

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

Answer 2

Hello @Ruber Linden

I would recommend you to contact sales or license specialist for Licensing support.

VLSC Support Center Contact Info：
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/contact-us

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Best Regards
Karlie