Licensing details determining your licensing needs
SharePoint 2010 provides a full set of capabilities to meet almost any business need. Because you can do so much with SharePoint, it can be a challenge to determine what licences are required for your company’s specific needs. To start gathering the necessary information, answer the following five questions:
What features of SharePoint does my company need?
Is my company providing SharePoint to internal users (employees) or external users (suppliers, customers, vendors and the public)?
How many servers will run SharePoint?
How many people or devices will access SharePoint?
Is my company licensed for the Microsoft products that are needed to run SharePoint?
1. What features of SharePoint does my company need?
SharePoint 2010 has three levels of functionality, each with a set of corresponding licences
Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 plus Standard CAL
Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 plus Enterprise CAL (& Standard CAL)
Product |
Description |
Licensing notes |
SharePoint Foundation 2010 |
Provides a platform for collaboration and a foundation for building Web-based applications. For small companies or departments that want a low-cost, entry-level or pilot solution for secure, Web-based collaboration. All features in SharePoint Foundation are also available in Microsoft SharePoint Server.
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SharePoint Server 2010 plus Standard CAL |
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SharePoint Server 2010 plus Enterprise CAL (& Standard CAL) |
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Purchase SharePoint Server 2010. License the Enterprise feature set through Enterprise CALs. For FAST Search, purchase FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint for each running instance of the software.
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Note: For a complete list of features in each SharePoint edition, see the SharePoint Editions Comparison.
2. Is my company providing SharePoint to internal users (employees) or external users (suppliers, customers, vendors and the public)?
SharePoint has two licensing models to accommodate two groups of users
Server plus CAL, for internal users
Server-only, for external users
Licensing model |
Use cases |
Licences |
Server plus CAL |
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Both Server licences and CALs are required
If Enterprise features are required
Additional notes on the Server/CAL model:
CALs can be purchased on a per-user or per-device basis. Enterprise CALs are additive. To access the Enterprise features, a person/device must have both the Standard CAL and Enterprise CAL. CALs must be for the same or later version of the server licence(s). While there are two levels of functionality (Standard and Enterprise), there is only one server SKU. During installation, you must decide whether to activate the Enterprise features of each server.
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Server only |
For external users (suppliers, customers, vendors and the public). Can be used for both anonymous and authenticated users.
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Only server licences are required, but they must be purchased for each running instance of the server software. There are two options
SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites, Standard SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites, Enterprise
Additional notes on the Server only model
No CALs are required for users licensed through SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites. The Server only licensing model is for external users only. Internal users can use this licence only if all content, information and applications are also accessible to external users. If the server has items that are for internal use only, those users require CALs, and their servers require licences for SharePoint Server 2010. People who create content for external access can use SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites. Server and CAL licensing is not required for people who use SharePoint only to author information. SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites must be licensed on all servers (staging, application, index, front-end) that provide content to external users. If connecting internal- and external-facing SharePoint deployments, you can purchase licences for SharePoint Server 2010 and SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites, Enterprise, and assign them to the same running instances of the software. You must purchase CALs for SharePoint Server 2010 for people/devices accessing content in any way not permitted under the use rights for SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites. SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites, Enterprise, also includes the rights to FAST Search Server for use in Internet or extranet scenarios. You can deploy a single server licence of SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites, Enterprise, as SharePoint server or a FAST Search server—but not both concurrently.
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3. How many servers will run SharePoint?
A server licence is required for each running instance of the server software (SharePoint Server 2010 or SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites).
When using SharePoint Server 2010 for Internet Sites to license external-facing scenarios, you need a licence on all servers that will be used for external content, regardless of farm configuration or if users are directly accessing the server (staging, application, front-end or index). Servers in a development/test environment are an exception, as they are typically covered by MSDN licensing.
To accommodate topologies where one server farm supports internal and external users, both types of server licences can be assigned to the same servers and use the same running instances of the software.
4. How many people or devices will access SharePoint?
Microsoft offers two options when purchasing CALs, a device-based CAL (Device CAL) or a user-based CAL (User CAL). With a Device CAL, a CAL is required for every device that accesses a SharePoint 2010 Server, regardless of the number of people who use that device. With a User CAL, a CAL is required for every person who accesses a SharePoint 2010 Server, regardless of the number of devices used.
You can choose the option that makes the most sense for your company’s needs. For example, User CALs are well suited for employees who need roaming access using multiple devices, while Device CALs are a better fit for multiple-shift workers who share devices. Whatever option you choose, all CALs must be the same type.
5. Is my company licensed for the Microsoft products that are needed to run SharePoint?
SharePoint Server 2010 requires Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server and does not include licences for those products. Be sure you have the correct licences for Windows Server and SQL Server
Windows Server usually is licensed through the Server/CAL model. For complete information on licensing for Windows Server, see the Windows Server 2008 licensing page.
SQL Server has two primary licensing models Server/CAL and per processor. For complete information on licensing for SQL Server, see the SQL Server 2008 licensing page.
For more details on enabling technologies, please refer to the SharePoint Server 2010 system requirements.
Related products
Although not required to run SharePoint, the following products work together with SharePoint 2010 to provide a richer set of features and scenarios.
Offering |
Functionality |
Licence information |
Microsoft Office 2010 |
Microsoft Office 2010 provides powerful new ways to create and share documents that grab attention.
Microsoft Office 2010 Professional Plus also includes Microsoft SharePoint 2010 Workspace. SharePoint Workspace gives you anytime, anywhere access to sites, lists and libraries. Work offline and synchronise your changes just by reconnecting. |
See the Microsoft Office 2010 pages for more information on licensing. |
Microsoft SharePoint Designer 2010 |
SharePoint Designer 2010 is the tool of choice to rapidly develop SharePoint applications. With SharePoint Designer, advanced users and developers alike can quickly create SharePoint solutions that respond to specific business needs. |
Provided free of charge through the Microsoft Download Centre. |
Duet Enterprise for Microsoft SharePoint and SAP |
Duet Enterprise for Microsoft SharePoint and SAP connects SharePoint 2010 and SAP applications. It provides the flexibility and extensibility needed to build collaborative solutions for business systems. With Duet Enterprise, more people can use SAP, helping companies get greater value from their existing investments. |
See the Duet Resources page for more information. |
Microsoft Project Server 2010 |
Built on SharePoint Server 2010, Microsoft Project Server 2010 delivers flexible work management solutions. With new and improved features, Project Server 2010 makes it easier than ever for people to work together. |
See the Microsoft Project 2010 pages, for more information. |
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint |
Microsoft Forefront Security for SharePoint helps companies protect their SharePoint Servers and SharePoint Foundation Servers from viruses, unwanted files and inappropriate content. Forefront Security for SharePoint uses a layered, multiple scan engine approach to help stop threats. |
See the Microsoft Forefront pages for more information. |