This article explains Windows Server Licensing for Internet Facing deployments and other web services.
For external users who are, say, “External Vendors,” the following licensing rules are applicable:
- An External Connector (EC) license is an alternative to CALs for servers accessed by external users.
- External users are those who are not employees or on-site contractors.
- EC license assigned to a server allows unlimited access by external users for the licensee’s benefit, not the users’.
- Only one EC license is required per physical server for all instances accessed by external users.
- EC licenses and CALs are separate from the server software instance licenses; they enable access.
- EC licenses, like CALs, must match the version and functionality of the server software being accessed.
- Choosing between CALs or EC for external users is primarily a financial decision.
On a high level, any user who consumes any domain services will need one. However, the requirements are slightly different for web-based solutions.
Windows Server Licensing for Internet Facing Deployments:
Web Workloads, also known as “Internet Web Solutions,” are openly accessible and comprise exclusively of web pages, websites, web applications, web services, and/or POP3 mail serving. To clarify, the access to content, information, and applications provided by the software within an Internet Web Solution is not restricted solely to your employees or affiliates.
- Web Workloads, or “Internet Web Solutions,” are publicly accessible.
- These workloads include web pages, web applications, web services, and/or POP3 mail serving.
- It’s important to note that access to content, information, and applications served by the software within an Internet Web Solution is not limited to your organization’s employees or affiliates.
Software within Internet Web Solutions is employed for the following purposes:
- Running web server software like Microsoft Internet Information Services and management or security agents like the System Center Operations Manager agent.
- Utilizing database engine software like Microsoft SQL Server exclusively to provide support for Internet Web Solutions.
- Operating the Domain Name System (DNS) service to enable the resolution of Internet names to IP addresses, provided this isn’t the sole function of the particular instance of the software.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the dynamics of Internet Web Solutions and the software components that power them is vital for harnessing their potential.
By embracing the diverse functionalities of web server software, database engines, and DNS services, organizations can unlock new avenues for online engagement and seamless operations.
It’s clear that these elements work in tandem to create a robust digital environment, shaping the way users interact with web pages, applications, and services.