Keep in mind that the price of SQL Server hasn't gone up because of these
licensing changes. When Microsoft realized SQL Server was being deployed
more and more on the Internet, they introduced the Internet Connector
license, which obviates the issue of having to purchase a CAL for every
simultaneous connection from an Internet user in cases where you would have
more than a couple Internet users connected at the same time.
Now, they have introduced a third licensing scheme, the per CPU license,
which works more like what we're used to seeing from many other products.
This is beneficial to many of our clients that have 20 to 30 staff members
using accounting or brokerage software that works out of a centralized SQL
Server database.
The important point here is that through all of this, the price hasn't
really increased. Instead, the licensing options have. Confusing as they may
be, and dim witted as the Microsoft sales personnel are, this gives us far
more leeway in pricing projects for customers of different sizes and with
different needs, using a single RDBMS solution.
Oh well, enough of the propaganda. :) To answer your question, there are
several other low cost RDBMS solutions available. Some of these include
MySQL, MSDE, and Interbase. Of course, each have their own shortcomings.
Last time I checked, MySQL is less ANSI compliant than most other RDBMSs and
lacks many of the advanced features of other offerings, including stored
procedures, triggers, and row level locking. It also lacks extensions to the
SQL language like the Microsoft/Sybase Transact-SQL language. Many would
argue this is a good thing, but I find we use pieces of Transact-SQL
throughout much of our code. However, partly because of the simplicity
offered by the lack of these features, MySQL is extremely fast on SELECTS.
And for an open source application, it actually has an extremely
"Windows-friendly" install. :)
I know very little about MSDE or Interbase, except that many people find
these to be reasonable alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server in Windows
environments. I believe MSDE can be installed off of the Office Server
Extensions disc, and is probably a good solution for your company if most of
your code has already been developed for Microsoft SQL Server. Interbase is
now an open source project.
Hope I did more than preach about Microsoft's licensing and offered a few
viable alternatives. :)
Benjamin S. Rogers
Web Developer, c4.net
Voice: (508) 240-0051
Fax: (508) 240-0057
-----Original Message-----
From: Arden Weiss [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 7:23 AM
To: CF-Talk
Subject: RE: M$ licensing has me at wits end
So -- even the M$ sales and licensing staff at their call centers gave me
identical "wrong" information when I posed the explicit question about
using Cold Fusion to access SQL Server backend -- they both said
one-license, because Cold Fusion was the "user" whereas the statement
extracted from the licensing statement you provided below states:
..... "Hardware or software that reduces the number of Devices directly
accessing or using the Server Software does not reduce the number of
required CALs. The number you need is based on the number of distinct
inputs to the hardware or software 'front end.'"
Otherwise -- 25 users simutaneously hitting Cold Fusion -- 25 CALS -- or
the per CPU licesing option (on the box on which SQL Server is installed I
assume).
Sounds like M$ is trying its best to motivate folks like us to find the
best "alternative" solution -- especially when their product has gotten to
the point where it may be an "overkill" for the majority of our Cold Fusion
applications.
In that vein -- what is the "best cheaper alternative" to SQL Server?
^
/ \__
( @\___
/ O
/ (_____/
/_____/
Whoof...
410-757-3487
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Aylor [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 2:42 AM
To: CF-Talk
Subject: Re: M$ licensing has me at wits end
Full Product at Estimated Retail Price
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/productinfo/pricing.htm
SQL Server 2000Enterprise EditionStandard EditionDeveloper Edition
Processor Licensing $19,999 US per processor$4,999 US per processor
SQL Server Processor Licensing Clarification
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/productinfo/multiplexing.htm
With the recent introduction of Processor Licensing for the Microsoft? .NET
Enterprise Servers, some independent software vendors (ISVs) have raised
questions as to the proper way to license SQL Server when using it as part
of the ISV's software application. This has particularly been an issue for
vendors of system management tools and their customers, who have requested
a
more simplified licensing solution tailored for their specific needs.
Microsoft SQL Server and System Management Tools
As is true for all Microsoft products, SQL Server use is defined in the
End-User Licensing Agreement (EULA) that accompanies all editions of SQL
Server 2000 (or any previous version). There are two ways to license SQL
Server 2000:
Processor License
Server and Client Access Licenses (CALs)
The Server and CAL model is described in the EULA as follows: "SQL Server
2000 Client Access License ('CAL') Requirements. CALs that you acquire may
only be used in conjunction with your Server Software. You must acquire a
separate CAL for each device that.accesses or otherwise utilizes the
services of the Server Software."
Additionally, there is specific language that attempts to clarify the use
of
applications that are installed between the end user and the SQL Server:
"'Multiplexing.' Hardware or software that reduces the number of Devices
directly accessing or using the Server Software does not reduce the number
of required CALs. The number you need is based on the number of distinct
inputs to the hardware or software 'front end.'"
Despite this language, our ISV partners have been unclear as to exactly how
many CALs are needed when using system management tools from vendors such
as
Computer Associates, BMC, NetIQ, Intel, HP (OpenView) and Microsoft
(Systems
Management Server).
Recommended Procedure-Processor License
Microsoft has implemented a processor-based licensing model to address the
special needs of the ISV community and to simplify the licensing model.
Under this new model, a customer acquires a Processor License for each
processor running their server software.
A Processor License includes access for an unlimited number of devices to
connect from either inside the corporate LAN or WAN or outside the
firewall.
Customers do not need to purchase additional Server licenses or CALs. The
Processor License is all they need.
Based on a review of system management tool vendors and their products,
Microsoft will communicate that the appropriate licensing method for these
vendors is Processor Licensing.
All system management tool vendors should communicate to their customers,
field account managers, inside sales departments, and resellers that the
appropriate licensing method for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 when used in
conjunction with their product is Processor Licensing. Microsoft will be
communicating the same message to their field account managers and
resellers
as well.
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