Understanding Microsoft Server Products

Microsoft Server Products

TechSoup offers Microsoft server products like Windows Server, Exchange Server, and SQL Server to nonprofits that need more control over their IT environments. These tools are typically used for network management, internal communications, data storage, or application hosting.

Licensing Basics

Microsoft server products are usually licensed in one of two ways:

1. Server + CAL model: You get a license for the server software and must also acquire client access licenses (CALs) for every user or device that connects to the server. This is common for Windows Server and Exchange Server.
2. Core-based licensing: Instead of CALs, you pay based on the number of cores in the physical or virtual server. This applies to SQL Server and newer versions of Windows Server.

Please note that if you are using virtual servers, licensing rules still apply and should be reviewed based on your setup.

Learn More About Microsoft Servers

Here are some Microsoft server resources:

• Windows Server documentation
• Remote Desktop Services documentation
• Exchange Server documentation
• SQL Server documentation