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I was looking into buying a server. Something cheap. I cam across a computer with windows server foundation server on it with 5 client licenses.

What is a client license. Does this mean that only 5 windows machines can connect to this server?

Can anyone explain?

Also, while we are here. Is is a good idea to use a computer without a server CPU as a server? Does it really matter that much?

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    Your question is far too open ended. It sounds like you need an IT consultant to at least narrow down what you are doing/want to do/how much to spend. Dont sell yourself short on this.
    – user76211
    May 31, 2011 at 19:04
  • A server CPU (e.g. an Opteron or a xeon) does not matter much in performance, but they tend to be more carefully tested, top of the bin parts. They often also have additional features.
    – Hennes
    Sep 8, 2013 at 23:57

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Foundation Edition of Windows Server does not use Client Access Licenses (CALs) - sort of. Foundation Edition is limited to 15 users - PERIOD. You cannot add more. You can view foundation as including the CALs or not needing them... in either case, 15 users is it.

Client Access Licenses in general are use to grant users (or devices) the right to access the server. Typical Server CALs cover authentication and access to most included features of Windows Server. One noteable exception is Remote Desktop Services (RDS) a.k.a. Terminal Services. These require special, separate CALs that are considerably more expensive. Then there are Small Business Server CALs which are exclusively for use on networks running Microsoft's Small Business Server (SBS) product (Foundation is NOT SBS).

This can be complicated, but it can be generally answered as well. To ensure you don't purchase the wrong item(s), I agree, you need to contact a consultant who can guide you. It's amazing the number of companies I walk into (and people I find posting in forums) who have SERIOUSLY OVERSPENT trying to "save" by not hiring a consultant. 2 hours of consultant time at $150 per hour can save THOUSANDS on the purchase price, lost productivity, and poor performance.

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    Nice answer @multiverse IT. As to CPU, it depends what theserver is doing. Agin teh consultant can assist and possibly save $$$
    – Dave M
    May 31, 2011 at 19:27

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