Windows Server with DHCP/DNS services needs CAL licenses?

Jaswanth Mogalipuvvu 20 Reputation points
2023-02-24T19:58:40.34+00:00

Do I need CALs if we deploy Windows Server in our Network with services DHCP and DNS only enabled on them? All the devices in my network have to fetch DHCP Ip address and DNS information from these windows servers. We don't have AD and nor the devices are domain joined?

I would really like a Windows DHCP Server cause it's easy to manage for me, but if I need User CALS for that it's going to be a verry expensive DHCP Server.

Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | Other
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Answer accepted by question author
Michael Durkan 12,256 Reputation points MVP
2023-02-24T20:24:24.6433333+00:00

Hi

if the devices are contacting the server for DNS and DHCP information, then they need a CAL per device. Active Directory has nothing to do with it.

If you have other services on the network that these devices/users are access, then a User CAL makes more sense as it covers connections to all services and all devices.

Hope this helps,

Thanks

Michael Durkan

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