If I run an NT Server strictly as an Interbase Database Server then would I
only need NT's minimum license purchase of 5 users, even though I might have
hundreds of users connecting to the Interbase Server?

Thanks!
Jeff

Technically, connecting to an Interbase database does not require an NT CAL,
since you're not using file or printer sharing services, so you can have as
many users connect as you want (up to the limit of IB and NT Server).

There's a detailed KB entry in Microsoft's knowledgebase that discusses NT
licensing and when you need a CAL (Q151307).

Basically, it says that any user connecting to an NT server for file or
printer access needs a CAL.  Clients connecting via TCP/IP, Winsock or other
direct protocol do not and there is no limit (in NT Server) as to the number
of connections.  NT workstation has a 10-connection limit via TCP/IP etc.
(Q122920)

Dan

Correct.
The Windows CAL allows you to access file and print services of the NT
server. Not shure about restrictions on IIS and postal office.
When you access IB running on NT machine you don't need to connect for file
or print services, you connect to the IB server.
Of course you will need IB licenses if you will use Certified version. If
you will use Open Edition there is no need of IB licenses.

--
Sergio Samayoa
Lgica Software
http://www.geocities.com/logicasw/

I remember reading a M$ article about CALs for connecting to NT Workstations
and IIRC, they listed HTTP and TCP/IP as connections contributing toward the
10 limit, (especially if the intent of the connection is to use resources,
e.g. data, from the computer).

I don't have an article number here, but this is certainly one of those gray
areas, at least where workstation is involved.

I don't believe any of the 9x series was limited here; don't know if it
changed when 2K/XP.

This is true for NT workstation and 2000 pro; not true for server versions.

Dan

"Jerry Hayes" <jhayes @ medware-inc . com> wrote in message
news:3c0685c1$1_1@dnews...

Sorry, didn't make that point clear.

An interesting point here is that it may not be limited for XP Home, which
may give you a better [than 9x] kernel and better [than NT WS/2k Pro]
licensing ;)

versions.

I'd be surprised if XP home had more functionality here than XP pro.  My
guess is that it has less -- I know that PWS (or whatever it's called now)
won't run from XP home.

Dan

"Jerry Hayes" <jhayes @ medware-inc . com> wrote in message
news:3c07e853$1_1@dnews...