MICROSOFT SQL SERVER 2017 USER CAL

User CAL for MS SQL Server 2017 - cheaper than used software

For access to the Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard edition, a client access license, e.g. in the form of a User CAL, is necessary in addition to the server license in the case of server/CAL licensing: with this, a specific user receives his personal access rights for the SQL Server. This is because in this variant of licensing the SQL 2017 Server, no user rights are included in the server license, so that these must be purchased separately, in the form of a User CAL license for a user. The user is therefore only authorized to access the SQL Server via this, the choice of end device is free.

User CALs for SQL Server 2017 are available from Wiresoft as used software, thus they have a price advantage over new offers; they also have the advantage of being available in the store as single licenses. These used user client access licenses for SQL Server 2017 do not differ in functionality from the unused licenses available in the official Microsoft volume licensing program.

Use the features of MS SQL Server Standard 2017 with a used User CAL license

Compared to its predecessor, the SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition not only contains several optimizations, but also many new features and functions. It thus also offers smaller or medium-sized companies flexible options for using relevant data, e.g. for ERP and other merchandise management systems, as well as comprehensive protection against unauthorized access - all this is available to them with a used User CAL.

This powerful version of the Microsoft data platform has all the database, reporting and analysis functions needed to meet the typical current corporate requirements for a high-performance relational database management system. With a user client access license for SQL Server 2017, Python is now available alongside in-database advanced analytics with R, including interactive visualization options. Plus many performance enhancements, including Master Data Services (MDS) and Reporting Services (SSRS), as well as the following features:

• Additional database engine features with improved performance through CLR assemblies
• Adaptive joins for adaptive query processing
• Enhanced SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) with new installation options for tabular models
• Get Data for Power Query
• SQL Server 2017 Integration Services (SSIS) provides optimized scale out including support for high availability ,and simplified execution on multiple PCs
• Use of Linux
• Use of Java applications with the Java Database Connectivity driver
• SQL Server Machine Learning Services replace here the previous SQL Server R Services, incl. support of Python

What are used User CALs for SQL Server Standard-Edition 2017?

Used User CALs, as offered by Wiresoft, do not have any differences in functionality compared to an unused license, when users take advantage of the SQL Server 2017 Standard edition services. However, licensing per server/CAL can save money especially for small and medium-sized companies when purchasing used software:

Licensing SQL Server 2017 Standard with server licenses plus CALs

Microsoft's licensing terms offer SQL Server 2017 licensing with a server license plus User CALs for the Standard edition as an alternative option: this licensing model is called Server/CAL licensing. In contrast to the alternative core-based licensing, this consists of a SQL Server license plus supplementary client access licenses for the respective users (or the individual end devices): Thus, here each user who wants to access the SQL Server instance requires a separate access license (User CAL). Two CALs are already included in the server license, but these are exclusively equipped with administrator rights and are not intended for normal users!

Only a regular User CAL entitles a user to use the typical SQL Server tools and applications of the Standard Edition 2017. This User Client Access License does not include any other software that needs to be installed, only the access rights in the client/server environment for SQL Server 2017 Standard.

Version compatibility of User CALs with SQL Server license must be considered

With a User CAL for SQL Server 2017, an end device not only receives the access rights for SQL Server 2017, these also include the usage rights for the older versions of SQL Server, e.g. 2016 (downgrade). Conversely, a user with the User CAL for SQL Server 2017, however, cannot access a higher SQL Server version such as 2019 (upgrade). Therefore, when purchasing User CALs for SQL Server, you should always pay attention to the compatibility of the access license with the specific server license. Wiresoft also offers used User CALs to the predecessor and successor versions of SQL Server 2017 in the software store!

Why does Microsoft offer the alternative licensing option with CALs for the SQL Server 2017 Standard edition?

For the Standard edition of SQL Server version 2017, Microsoft offers CAL-based licensing of users or endpoints as an alternative to core-based licensing. This form of SQL Server access licensing takes into account the needs of SMBs, whose server capacity is often lower, as it is often equipped with only one core (or two), but this is sufficient for their needs. Then server/CAL licensing is usually cheaper than server licensing by cores.

For this Microsoft licensing model, two CAL types are offered in addition to the SQL Server license for access to SQL Server 2017 Standard:

• SQL Server 2017 User CAL: this grants SQL Server access rights to a dedicated, single user
• SQL Server 2017 User CAL: this grants SQL Server access rights to a dedicated Windows-enabled endpoint (PC, laptop, tablet, phone)

What should be considered when licensing SQL Server 2017 Standard with User CALs?

As already mentioned, with User CAL a certain employee personally receives the access rights for SQL Server 2017, he can freely choose on which Windows-enabled end device he uses them. Once this user has been registered, his rights cannot be transferred to another user. Likewise, it is impossible to use a User CAL as Device CAL, i.e. to change the type. These restrictions on the licensing of User CALs are intended to prevent improper access to the SQL Server by unauthorized or third-party users. Therefore, Server/CAL licensing also provides security or protection for companies and their data.

What are the benefits of User CAL for SQL Server 2017 Standard?

The User CAL for SQL Server does not differ in principle in its rights from the device-based client access license. The special possibilities or advantages of the User CAL mainly show up in the type of SQL Server accesses typical or frequent in a company.

The user license for SQL Server 2017 is exclusively bound to a specific person, but offers this person the free choice of end device to access the SQL Server via, but only from a single PC or similar at a time.

Compared to the end device-related Device CAL, the User CAL for SQL Server thus has a different scope of use: the licensed user is not bound locally - provided that the end device used by him has access to the Internet. This means that the user can access the SQL Server alternately at his workplace in the company and externally via a laptop, tablet or smartphone - for example at another location, while traveling or in the home office.

User CALs for SQL Server 2017 therefore enable more flexible use of SQL Server functions for employees who are frequently at different locations and who use the computers available in each case without having to rely on their own end device, because with User CAL they always use their personal account for access.

Conclusion

Which type of Client Access License for SQL Server 2017 Standard offers more advantages for users thus differs from case to case according to the respective work environment: the number of employees in relation to the predominant type of use of the access-authorized end devices: as soon as the majority of users use different computers - and especially mobile types such as laptops or tablets - which are used at different locations to access SQL Server, User CALs offer more flexibility. However, as indicated above, the decision regarding the type of client access licensing must be made prior to purchase, as the User CAL for SQL Server 2017 cannot be subsequently changed or exchanged to a Device CAL exchanged at a later date.

Buy used User CALs for Microsoft SQL Server 2017 flexibly in Wiresoft Online Shop

User CALs for SQL Server 2017 are available in the Wiresoft Online Shop for as little as 1 single license, as the usual volume licensing regulations do not apply to this used software - another advantage of used software.

What are Used Licenses of User CALs for SQL Server 2017?

All User CALs (as well as Device CALs) for SQL Server 2017 offered by Wiresoft as used licenses are regular access licenses as newly offered in the Microsoft licensing program for the use of server-specific features; the only difference compared to these is that they were previously part of a User Volume License for SQL Server 2017, which was first purchased by a company and then all unneeded individual User Access Licenses or even the complete Volume License were resold by the company to Wiresoft. In this case, the volume license was dissolved and converted into individual licenses, and the resulting individual user CALs were then marked as used software. As already mentioned above, such a used User CAL can be used in the same way as a "new" one, despite this designation, not only because there is generally no wear and tear on software, but above all because there is no restriction in functionality or useful life.

Are used User CALs for SQL Server 2017 safe?

Used software such as User CALs for SQL Server not only has a clear price advantage for Wiresoft customers, but also offers the same security as a new access license - without any hidden restrictions or unidentifiable risks! Used licenses are also available immediately after the payment process is completed via instant download and immediate license activation with the included volume license key, so they also offer the usual buyer security.

Where do the used User CALs for SQL Server 2017 come from?

All user client access licenses for SQL Server 2017 Standard edition offered in Wiresoft Software Shop come from license inventories of companies or organizations. Thus, the valid jurisdiction also applies to them: this explicitly allows trading Microsoft CALs as used software, which has also been confirmed several times by various court rulings.

What does the purchase of used User CALs mean for you as a Wiresoft customer?

Not only your purchase of used User CALs for SQL Server 2017 or other licenses offered by Wiresoft, but also their actual use provides legal security, because no legal regulations are violated in the process - neither by you nor by Wiresoft.

All the advantages of buying CALs for SQL Server 2017 as used software

User CALs for SQL Server 2017 or other access licenses from Wiresoft as used software offer customers an alternative to the offers of most other providers of new licenses for all the reasons mentioned above - also because there are no restrictions due to the tiering of User CALs here. Therefore, you have a free choice in licensing your SQL Server services and can tailor them to meet the actual usage needs in your business, which reduces your costs at the time of purchase.

In Wiresoft online store you can find not only User CALs, but also Device CALs for SQL Server 2017 - as well as access licenses for other versions of MS SQL Server including the respective server licenses. This way, you avoid the acquisition costs for new hardware and also possible compatibility problems due to non-uniform software versions.

In addition to User CALs for SQL Server 2017, you can also find server licenses plus client access licenses for other Microsoft server software in the Wiresoft Software Shop - with all the benefits of Wiresoft pre-owned software. If you have any questions regarding your licensing with User CALs for SQL Server 2017 or any other Microsoft product, please feel free to use our expert advice via chat, email or phone.