[THIN] Re: per device or per user 2003 licensing.

Hi Joanne,
 
We've had this issue with a number of our customers. 
 
The per-device licensing really doesn't work in any scenario where machines are 
being rebuilt reasonably often, unless you're willing to buy extra CALS to 
cover the overlap. 
 
Microsoft could have used something a bit closer to how DHCP handles address 
allocations but that'd be too easy. Or maybe a hardware ID that is acually 
reproducible for a particular device (eg based on MAC address which is kind of 
unique) so it keeps the same TS CAL? Or maybe just concurrency licensing ?
 
Sorry, didn't mean to start ranting, but Microsoft have had years to sort this 
out :-(
 
Per-user licensing is the easy way out for them at the moment because it isn't 
enforced at all. So there are no licensing issues, YET!
 
However unless they supply you with replacement per-user TS CALs you will 
actually be running in an unlicensed configuration in the event of a software 
audit. In addition when per-user licensing starts being enforced, I suspect 
that license management isn't going to be any easier because the end result 
will be the same. Can you imagine per-user licensing for an educational 
organisation or any large organisation ?
 
Microsoft actually have a legal responsibility with the per-device licensing 
mechanism problems. At the point where it stops you from carrying out your 
business, when you can prove that you have more CALs then physical devices, 
they become legally liable. It isn't a bug, which is well covered by their 
EULA, it's by design and it's broken.
 
Ask Microsoft support for more per-device TS CALs, for free. At first they'll 
refuse and suggest you just rebuild the licensing database (go back to scratch) 
and reload your CALs, activate etc. Point out to them that that's not 
acceptable and that it's affecting your business. Insist and you'll get them.
 
If enough people did that, we might just achieve something.
 
regards,
 
Rick
 
Ulrich Mack 
Volante Systems 


________________________________

From: thin-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx on behalf of Joanne Determann
Sent: Fri 30/06/2006 1:30
To: thin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [THIN] per device or per user 2003 licensing. 



I'm having an issue with my per device licensing mode. We have been rebuilding 
clients like mad (switching OS and because summer power/humidity issues things 
die) . Anyhow some of my devices had been issued 2 or 3 licenses. And now I 
have about 15 licenses that are tied up and so a couple of clients can't logon. 

 

MS support recommend changing to per user so this wouldn't happen again.

 

Is this really the way to go? 

 

 

Thanks,

Joanne

 

 


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