Server SMB/SQL CAL questions
Posted by anedled@reddit | sysadmin | View on Reddit | 3 comments
TL:DR
Backend "Server" running Win10/11 pro. Have demand for over 20 concurrent SMB and SQL connections for growing company. Third Party is trying to give us a Windows Server with only 10 Device CAL which doesn't sound like the correct move for our needs. We are growing quickly the file share for these systems use the same login *smh*. As well there will be just as many SQL connections as well. I know Server doesn't have 20 concurrent limit but doesn't it require a CAL per connection?
I believe I am also looking at this as a contractual agreement and that technically Windows Server wont technically limit these connections.
Longer Version:
I changed jobs awhile ago and CAL requirements are a little new to me. I moved to a job where oddly all the "servers" received to run a backend system had Win10/11 pro license. I knew this would one day be an issue and it appears today is that day. Despite knowing that this would be an issue the company responsible for these systems always said Win10/11 pro is just fine but we recently have been running into an issue where it appears their software uses SMB connections to connect to the file share and SQL db. Win10/11 has a hard limit of 20 concurrent connections. I attempted to alleviate the issue by kicking people off with inactivity over 5 minutes but the company is growing too quickly. (But the SMB file share uses the same login for all computers *SMH*) I have explained the needs we have to this vendor and they are trying to upgrade to Win Server with 10 Device CAL. If I am not mistaken this will leave us worse off than a Win10/11 pro 20 concurrent connections as would this not limit us to 10 Devices connected concurrently? We will likely quickly grow to needing 50 or even 100 connections. Sometime multiple connections from one computer due to RDS. Trying to verify I understand the licensing requirements for SMB/SQL concurrent connections. I believe I am also looking at this as a contractual agreement and that technically Windows Server wont technically limit these connections.
artifex78@reddit
CALs are named licenses, not concurrent. You have to license every user or device that connects to the server.
For SQL Standard, you could either use Server/CAL licensing or per Core. The break-even in favour of Core is at around 35 users/devices (at 4 Cores).
Or you use SQL Express for free, but be aware of its limitations (most important one being any database cannot exceed 10 GB in size).
I suggest you talk to a licensing specialist.
thekdubmc@reddit
CALs relating to SMB are purely for accounting, they do not actively restrict connection counts. I would recommend licensing properly for in the event you get audited. RDS CALs however can impose concurrent connection limits.
Work with a vendor to determine appropriate licensing for your organization. Do not continue using the desktop/workstation of Windows as a server if it can be avoided.
anedled@reddit (OP)
Trust me I have been fighting this for awhile about Pro is not server but this specific vendor is able to get away with it for most of their clients.