Windows Server 2012 – 50 User Client Access License (CAL)

Product Overview

Windows Server 2012 – 50 User Client Access License (CAL) is designed for organizations that need to provide server access to up to 50 individual users. A User CAL allows one licensed user to access Windows Server services from multiple devices, making it a suitable option for employees who work from desktops, laptops, or other supported devices.

Windows Server CALs are used with applicable Windows Server editions such as Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter. Microsoft licensing documentation confirms that CALs are required for users or devices accessing these server editions.

Key Features

• Product: Microsoft Windows Server 2012 User CAL
• Quantity: 50 User CALs
• License Type: User-based Client Access License
• Coverage: Up to 50 individual users
• Access Model: Per User
• Suitable For: Business, office, school, organization and server environments
• Compatible Server: Windows Server 2012
• Windows Server 2012 R2: Windows Server 2012 CALs also provide access rights to Windows Server 2012 R2 under Microsoft’s licensing model.
• Digital License: No physical media required
• Ideal For: File sharing, printing, domain/network services and other Windows Server functionality

What Is a User CAL?

A User CAL licenses a specific user to access Windows Server services. The advantage of a User CAL is that the licensed user can access the server from multiple devices.

For example, if one employee uses a desktop computer, laptop and another supported device, a User CAL is assigned to that individual user rather than separately licensing each device. Microsoft describes User CALs as appropriate when employees access corporate server resources from multiple devices.

50 User CALs – Ideal For

This 50-user license quantity can be suitable for:

• Small and medium-sized businesses
• Corporate offices
• Educational institutions
• Retail businesses
• Accounting offices
• IT departments
• File and print server environments
• Active Directory environments
• Internal business networks

Important Licensing Information

This product is a Client Access License (CAL), not the Windows Server operating system itself.

A Windows Server license and Windows Server CALs are separate licensing components. If you are running an applicable Windows Server Standard or Datacenter environment, the required number of User or Device CALs should cover the users or devices accessing the server.

User CAL vs Device CAL

User CAL: One licensed user can access the server using multiple devices.

Device CAL: One licensed device can be used by multiple users to access the server.

A User CAL may be more suitable when employees use multiple devices, while Device CALs can be advantageous where several employees share the same workstation.

Important: Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

A standard Windows Server User CAL and an RDS User CAL are not the same license.

If your users need to access Windows Server through Remote Desktop Services (RDS) beyond the rights covered by the applicable base server licensing, an additional RDS CAL may be required. Microsoft identifies Remote Desktop Services as functionality that can require an additive CAL.