Purchasing Windows 2003 Server License

tornado42

I have the trial version of 2003 server that came with the Microsoft Press book. (70-290) I was wondering if there is a way to purchase a permanant License for this OS. I have seen on google searches that people/businesses sell User CAL's for approx 30-40 dollars but I am pretty sure that is NOT what I need. I would like to be able to purchase a permanent license for real cheap. Can I re-register my copy of 2003 using a permanent license or is the licensing bound to the cd's that i have. Please forgive my ignorance... its been a few months since I have touched the OS and I am not sure if i will be able to renew the copy that i have.

tiersten

A CAL is a Client Access License. It isn't a license for the OS.

astorrs

You would need at least 1 user CAL, plus a server O/S license. Retail on those is ~$700 USD and you can expect to pay only a little bit less.

tornado42

thanks... thats what I thought... just have to bite the bullet and spend the $$$$

astorrs

Do you want this server for full-time use or just for learning? If the latter a TechNet Plus subscription might be a good fit as it offers unlimited trials.

Devin McCloud

Tornado, if you plan to buy it, I would suggest ebay. I bought a decked out pc with the original 'retail' version of Windows 2003 standard off ebay for $400. The cost alone to buy is like $999. You have to do some digging but worth the time!

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/pricing.mspx

dynamik

Tornado, what's your reasoning for getting a full license? Would it be just for your studies or do you have something else in mind?

jibbajabba

I second technet. If you are willing to spend so much money - get a technet subscription. That gives you a single user license of every Microsoft program (well almost anyway) and cost just $349 for the download version and $599 including DVD / CD shipments .. really worth it .. TechNet Plus Subscriptions: TechNet subscribers get TechNet Plus downloads and product keys, support, and more | Subscribe to TechNet Plus Subscriptions | Get Windows 7 Beta Now