How are SQL Server CALs counted?

Posted by Sam on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Sam
Published on 2010-03-08T10:37:11Z Indexed on 2010/03/08 10:38 UTC
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Running a SQL Server, as far as I understand it, you need one CAL for every user who connects to the database server.

But what happens if the only computer which is accessing the SQL Server is the server running your business layer?
If, for example, you got 1 SQL Server and 1 Business logic server, and 100 Clients who all just query and use the business logic server. No client is using the SQL Server directly, no one is even allowed to contact it.
So, since there is only one computer using the SQL server, do I need only 1 CAL???

I somehow can't believe this would count as only 1 CAL needed for the SQL Server, but I would like to know why not.

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