MICROSOFT WINDOWS SERVER 2012 USER CAL

In order to be able to use the functions available in both the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 versions - which are available from Wiresoft in the Standard and Datacenter editions - a client access license is required in addition to one of the two server licenses per user: the Windows Server 2012 User CAL. It grants the registered user the corresponding access rights, also for Windows Server 2012 R2, which he can then use on any Windows-enabled end device.

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Buy used User CALs for Microsoft Windows Server 2012

In order to be able to use the functions available in both the Microsoft Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 versions - which are available from Wiresoft in the Standard and Datacenter editions - a client access license is required in addition to one of the two server licenses per user: the Windows Server 2012 User CAL. It grants the registered user the corresponding access rights, also for Windows Server 2012 R2, which he can then use on any Windows-capable end device.

Microsoft license management separates the server license for Windows Server 2012 from the client access license, so that the usage rights must be purchased additionally in the form of a User CAL. Only users registered via this are authorized to access Windows Server functions.

Specifically, the Windows Server 2012 User CAL can also be used to also use the functions of a server equipped with a Windows Server 2012 R2 license. User CALs for Windows Server 2012 are offered at Wiresoft at a reasonable price as used software. These used software access licenses do not differ in functionality from corresponding unused ones of the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program - which are no longer offered there. In addition, the used User CALs can be purchased for as little as one client access license - for flexible, needs-based licensing of employees who are still using Windows Server 2012 or R2.

Use all Windows Server 2012 features with a used User CAL

The User CALs offered for the Windows Server 2012 version at Wiresoft as used software can be used in full for the successor to Windows Server 2008 R2, so that data is now also available in the cloud via an appropriate end device.

What functionalities are available with a User CAL for Windows Server 2012 in the Datacenter and Standard editions?

Microsoft Windows Server 2012 is the successor to Windows Server 2008 R2 and the server version of Windows 8. Among the most important innovations is the complete overhaul of the task manager, running applications are now divided into categories, inactive ones are stopped for better performance. In the Standard and Datacenter editions, Windows Server 2012 offers an updated version of the Hyper-V virtualization platform for scalable, expandable virtual switches; in the 2012 R2 version with features such as UEFI boot of VMs, automatic activation of Windows in 2nd generation VMs, also with faster live migration and expandability to multiple sites. The new file system ReFS entry complements NTFS and is specifically for storage on file servers. SMB 3 support enables faster and more stable access to file shares, and also includes

Acceleration functions such as RDMA or the use of several parallel TCP connections between client and server (SMB Multichannel) are supported in principle. The Dynamic Access Control regulates, in addition to the Active Directory security policies, the access to files. PowerShell 3.0 offers with the Active Directory among other things with Web Access the configuration over a Webbrowser and the direct execution of Windows Workflow Foundation applications.

Also new in Windows Server 2012 are enhancements to the Resilient File System (REFS) for file servers, live migration of a datastore, and Hyper-V Replica for distributing virtual servers across multiple hosts.

User CALs for Windows Server 2012 can also be used for Windows Server 2012 R2

Unlike other client access licenses for Windows Server, the User CAL for Windows Server 2012 can also be used for the next higher version, Windows Server 2012 R2, which offers further improvements and enhancements.

Wiresoft offers both server versions in the Standard and Datacenter editions; these differ in the different degree of virtualization, but in terms of the range of functions they are the same.

The Microsoft licensing system with CALs

With the release of Windows Server 2012, Microsoft has also adapted its licensing model. Depending on the edition, a server can either be licensed by cores - in which case no additional user CALs are required - or the server as such plus the respective required number of client access licenses (CALs). Especially for small and medium-sized companies, the access licensing model with CALs is often the more cost-effective solution.

What CAL types are available for Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter editions?

There are two CAL types for client access licensing for Windows Server 2012:

• User CAL for Windows Server 2012 - for one user
• Device CAL for Windows Server 2012 - for one end device (e.g. PC, laptop, tablet)

The server license is thus supplemented by either User CALs or Device CALs, the former granting a user the appropriate access rights, while the latter authorize an end device to use the Windows Server functions. Both CALs do not include any software other than access rights to the Windows Server 2012 / R2 client/server environment.

What are the differences between User CALs and Device CALs for Windows Server 2012?

User CAL and Device CALs for Windows Server 2012 differ from each other only in how access rights are granted to the Windows Server: With the User CAL, a specific individual is authorized to access the server services and data; in doing so, the user can alternately use completely different end devices with his personal account and thus independent of location, provided that these are Windows-capable and equipped with a compatible version of a Windows operating system.

For example, this user can use the stationary computer at work, or a laptop or tablet while on the road, and the PC available there or the private laptop in the home office. On the other hand, in a work situation where several users use one and the same registered end device, the CAL for end devices is more practical.

Client access licensing with User CALs can be more advantageous especially if the majority of a company's employees work on a mobile basis and check their e-mails or access server data etc. from the respective selected end device.

Price advantage and availability of used User CALs for Windows Server 2012 Standard and Datacenter editions

Used User CALs are not only an economical way for many companies and organizations to provide their employees with a server access license for Windows Server 2012, but older CAL versions are also no longer offered new by Microsoft and resellers, so used software is the solution if older server versions are still in use.

The following overview once again summarizes all the advantages and special features of CAL used software.

What is the scope of used User CAL for Windows Server 2012 in Standard and Datacenter editions?

Depending on whether Windows Server 2012 is installed in the Standard or Datacenter Edition, different scaling options are available with the User CAL: If the Datacenter Edition of Windows Server 2012 or R2 is used with a User CAL for the Standard Edition - which is possible in principle - only its typical functionality is available. If the User CAL for the Datacenter Edition - which has the extended scope of features and functions - is used to access a Windows Server 2012 / R2 in the Standard Edition, then only its functionality is available.

Note version compatibility of User CALs for Windows Server 2012

With a User CAL for Windows Server 2012, the registered user has the usage rights for Windows Server 2012 as well as the next higher version 2012 R2, but no access rights for higher server versions such as 2016 are available (upgrade). However, the older Windows Server version 2008 or 2008 R2 can also be used with it (downgrade).

Before purchasing User CALs for Windows Server 2012, it is therefore advisable to check the compatibility between the existing Windows Server license and the client access license.

What else should be considered with used User CALs for Windows Server 2012?

The following also applies to used User CALs: Once a user is registered with the User Client Access License for Windows Server 2012, this User CAL can no longer be transferred to another user. In addition, it is also excluded in principle to change the CAL type and to use the User CAL as a Device CAL in order to register an end device with it.

These restrictions of Microsoft license management are intended to prevent unauthorized access to Windows Server 2012; data and security during communication in a company are thus better protected, since unauthorized users cannot access server services and data without a CAL.

Conclusion about used User CALs for Microsoft Windows Server 2012

Which type of client access licenses not only offers more flexible usage options, but also represents the more cost-effective licensing, varies from company to company. Both the number of licensed employees and the number of end devices used to access Windows Server are decisive factors: Licensing with User CALs offers more advantages if the majority of users use different end devices and, if necessary, also locally independently to access Windows Server 2012.

Knowledge of the typical workflows is therefore an important prerequisite for the purchase of used CALs. In the example situation described, licensing with User CALs is more favorable because fewer client access licenses have to be purchased. For further advice please contact the Wiresoft team.

Used User CALs for Microsoft Windows Server 2012 from Wiresoft

Used User CALs for Windows Server 2012 are also available individually in the Wiresoft Online Shop, since the usual Microsoft regulations regarding license scaling do not apply here; otherwise, used software offers no disadvantages or restrictions compared to new licenses - because software cannot wear out in principle.

Where does used software of User CALs for Windows Server 2012 come from at Wiresoft?

The used User CALs for Windows Server 2012 offered at Wiresoft are original licenses from the Microsoft licensing program and are part of a User Volume License for Windows Server 2012, which was first purchased by a company that then sold it to Wiresoft. Entire volume licenses can be broken down into single licenses, and the resulting single user CALs are referred to as used software and can be used to register a user just like a new license.

Buyer security with used software such as User CALs for Windows Server 2012

Wiresoft's pre-owned software offering for User CALs for Windows Server 2012 and other CALs provides our customers with the same benefits as new licenses: Therefore, used User CALs include the usual buyer assurance with instant download after completed purchase and immediate license activation with a volume license key valid for that purpose.

Are the purchase and use of used User CALs for Windows Server 2012 legal?

Wiresoft customers can be confident that they are not violating any legal requirements when purchasing and using used User CALs for Windows Server 2012. This is because the client access licenses available in the Wiresoft Shop - such as the used User CALs for Windows Server 2012 - come from the license inventory of companies. For this reason, the valid jurisdiction also applies to the trade with used User CALs, which not only explicitly permits the sale, but also the purchase and use of Microsoft User CALs in the form of used software; this has been confirmed several times by various court rulings. In addition, used software from Wiresoft also offers audit security due to the complete proof of all buyers!

All advantages of used User CALs for Windows Server 2012 at a glance

Wiresoft used software of User CALs for Windows Server 2012 is not only particularly favorable, but also offers the advantage compared to the CAL offer of many other suppliers of Microsoft software that beside current access licenses also many older versions are available in the store - this applies also to other Microsoft client access licenses and server licenses.

Used CALs from Wiresoft thus offer the opportunity to add older software as well; this can avoid compatibility problems such as when using different software versions in parallel, which also reduces the cost of purchasing new hardware.

Licensing with used User CALs from Wiresoft eliminates the usually common license tiering, so you only buy exactly as many access licenses as you actually need - for customized licensing according to your actual usage of Windows Server services.

In the Wiresoft Software Shop you can find User CALs for Windows Server 2012 editions as well as the corresponding Device CALs as used software. The Wiresoft used software offer also includes many other Microsoft software programs - with all the benefits mentioned above. If you have any questions about licensing with User CALs for MS Windows Server 2012 or any other Microsoft product, please feel free to contact us via chat, e-mail or phone.