Microsoft Select Agreement Windows Server 2003 Questions
Is Windows Server 2003 available under the existing Microsoft Campus Agreement (MSCA)?
No. Windows Server licenses are not covered under the MSCA.
Can I upgrade existing Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Advanced Server licenses to Windows Server 2003?
You can upgrade existing Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Advanced Server licenses if each license meets one of the following criteria:
- You purchased Upgrade Advantage (UA) for your Windows Server license(s) during the term of the Microsoft Campus Enterprise Agreement (MSCEA) and it has not yet expired.
- You purchased Software Assurance (SA) for your Windows Server license(s) under the MSCEA or Microsoft Campus Agreement.
- You purchased Windows Server as part of the Campus Agreement Add-On offering for Windows Server or Advanced Server before November 30, 2002. Each campus, if interested, was responsible for submitting an add-on order to Dell by November 2002.
How can I obtain new licensing for Windows Server 2003?
Windows Server 2003 licensing is available at a reduced price from Dell through the University's Microsoft Select Agreement.
How can I obtain Windows Server 2003 Media?
You can purchase media for Windows Server 2003 when you purchase licensing through Dell. If you have already purchased licenses or are eligible to upgrade existing licenses, you can obtain media from Dell through the MS Select Agreement, or through SDS.
How do I get the Volume License Key (VLK) to install Windows Server 2003?
Windows Server, beginning with version 2003, is a Volume License Keyed (VLK) product. Software Distribution has acquired the VLK for this product. To request the VLK, you must fax or e-mail SDS a copy of either:
- Purchase Order - this must list an Upgrade Advantage (UA) or Software Assurance (SA) license for Windows Server which has not yet expired, or a new Windows Server 2003 license.
- Vendor Invoice - a copy of the Dell or Software Spectrum invoice for UA or SA for Windows Server which has not yet expired, or an invoice for a new Windows Server 2003 license.
Once SDS has verified your license status, the VLK will be released to you.
How do I configure Windows Server 2003 Terminal Server services?
With the release of Windows Server 2003, Microsoft has made significant changes to both the requirements for obtaining Terminal Server Client Access Licenses (TS CALs) and the way that Windows Server uses these CALs.
System administrators who configure Windows Server 2003 with the Terminal Server service will have 120 days to get TS CALs. During this 120 day window, the Terminal Server Licensing service will issue temporary tokens (expire after 90 days) to connecting devices. In the past, TS CALs were covered by our MSCA through the Microsoft Terminal Server Transition Plan. This plan ended on June 30, 2007. You must purchase CALs through DELL or another authorized reseller in order to implement a Terminal Server.
TS CALs
Previously, Windows desktop OS licenses included equivalency to TS CALs. For example, a Windows 2000 desktop license automatically included a Windows 2000 TS CAL. With Windows Server 2003, however, the TS CAL is now separate from the desktop license.
Additionally, TS CALs are now divided into two classifications.
- A TS Device CAL permits one device (used by any user) to conduct Windows Sessions on a terminal server.
- A TS User CAL permits one user (from any computer) to conduct Windows Sessions on a terminal server.
NOTE: CALs may NOT be managed to accomplish concurrent licensing. However, if a user leaves the University and is replaced by another user, the original CAL may be used by the replacement user.
Because the impacts of this change are far-reaching, Microsoft created a transition plan for current customers. This plan ended on June 30, 2007. Under this transition program, all Windows XP desktop licenses are eligible for a Windows Server 2003 TS CAL. Therefore all students, faculty, and staff in The University of Texas System are covered for these CALs at version 2003. Under the program Departments did not need to purchase additional CALs. If you obtained CALs under the transition program you are permanently licensed for those CALs. However, should you require additional CALs, you MUST purchase them through DELL or another authorized Microsoft Volume reseller.
Implementing TS CALs under Windows Server 2003
Administrators should refer to Microsoft's Terminal Server Licensing white paper for more information on configuring Terminal Server services, Terminal Server Licensing services, and for other important details.
Additional information on TS CALs and the Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services transition plan can be found at the following Microsoft Web sites:
