[Samba] replacing microsoft file server with linux samba server ?

[Paul Gienger]

> This is a question about microsoft license fees for desktop connections.
> If a microsoft file/print server is replaced with with a linux samba
> server
> or if the company starts out with a linux samba server, how would
> the desktop connections be monitored for the purpose of microsoft
> collecting connection fees?   When using the linux samba server
> is there even a need to consider this scenario?

You pay for client access licenses (CALs) on the server, if there is no MS
server employed then there is no reason to believe that you are violating
any licenses.

> The reason I ask is that I read about a ms client that continued
> to pay desktop connection fees to microsoft after replacing
> a  windows file/print server with linux and samba.
Then somebody was getting ripped off, of course there could be more to the
story... such as having an exchange or ms-sql server still in place that
maintains it's own CAL count.

 
> My small client is currently not on a file server and all their pc's
> come from dell so they are properly licensed as desktops.  I
> have them networked so that they can share files and assume
> up to this point that microsoft does not need to be involved.
> After the linux file/print server is installed,  I do not see the
> point of contacting microsoft to offer money for any reason
> but I need to ask if anyone knows about this because I
> dont want to put my client at risk due to my ignorance.

Until you buy a Windows server, there are no licenses to consider, assuming
you're using all legal software on your clients.  When you do buy that
server, you will have some number of CALs that the server will enforce
counting of.  If you find you're running out of licenses you buy more.
There are no perpetual fees unless you sign up for that licensing model.
Either way, no Win server, no lics to count.