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Subject: Licensing explination
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lunchUser is Offline

Posts:3
10/29/2008 4:58 PM  

Hi-

NComputing states that with their hardware a customer can use 1 PC and have up to 30 users simultaneously connect to the 1 PC all for $1943.99 (purchased throw CDW (http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1602394&cm_sp=Product-_-Overview-_-Main+Tab).  There is nothing saying that a customer must purchase Windows licenses or anything additional on this site. I am confused, will i need to purchase additional windows licenses for this solution or are they included?  Any supporting documents would be great before I spend $2k and not have a total solution.  CDW sales rep doesnt have a clue.

The very inexpensive and highly reliable L Series access terminal connects to our terminal services software on the host PC over standard Ethernet cables (plus routers, switches, etc.). Our terminal services software enables the host PC to create unique and simultaneous user sessions so that each user gets their own rich and robust PC experience. A PC that is running a desktop OS (such as Microsoft Windows XP®) can support up to ten users. Server operating systems (like Microsoft Windows 2003 Server® or Linux) support up to 30 simultaneous users

I saw one similar post here.. but no responses http://www.ncomputing.com/Support/SupportForums/tabid/213/forumid/14/postid/820/view/topic/language/en-US/Default.aspx
TCAMUser is Offline

Posts:11
10/29/2008 10:02 PM  

It looks like the bundle from CDW just includes 11 L230 terminal units.  This does not include host PC or software. 

It is recommended you speak with a Microsoft Licensing representative regarding Microsoft Software, or call the respective company providing any other software that may require licensing.  Hardware "virtualization" is still a fairly new thing and many software companies have not developed licensing plans for thin clients using virtualization technology. 
lunchUser is Offline

Posts:3
10/30/2008 10:33 AM  

So NComputing is just a hardware solution and doesnt give any info on the software needed.  To complete this solution I need to buy

-You’ll need a Windows Server License for the device

-You’ll need a Windows Server User CAL for each User accessing the device

-You’ll need a Windows Client OS (Vista or XP) for each instance that will be running on this device.
 
Therefore, if I have 30 users accessing this device, you’ll need the following:
 

1 Windows Server license - $700

30 Windows User CALS - $33 each x 30 = $990

30 Windows Client OS Licenses - $140 (OEM) each x 30 = $4200

Total software licenses needed = $5890

That is a huge amount of hidden cost that NComputing does not make any refrence to.
hjkcgaUser is Offline

Posts:164
10/30/2008 11:46 AM  
You would not need the extra 30 XP licenses as the L230 will connect directly to server 2003 using your 30CALS. The Ncomputing software runs on Windows Server 2003.
SourceryUser is Offline

Posts:3
12/18/2008 3:06 AM  
I too am looking for licensing answers... Which seems to be a very "hush hush" thing at this forum and the NComputing site i total... I understand that it is tricky business to talk licensing, but I think it would be better for NComputing if you were upfront with at least how Microsofts licensing works on your products, and that YOU did the research for all your potential customers, instead of every customer who thinks about buying your product needs to do this over and over... Microsoft IS still the leading OS-vendor for desktop applications, and also one of the most tricky companies when it comes to licensing. It would be comendable if YOU (as in NComputing) who know exactly how YOUR product is working contacted Microsoft. And so I say THANK YOU! in advance (With hopes of a great answer to the licensing question) ;)

So anyways... If I understand the above discussion, using your sharing-software on a Windows Server 2003, then all Terminals JUST needs a CAL? Not a Terminal Service CAL?

How does this work on Microsoft XP, which seems to be used in all videos and examples? You cant buy CAL's for XP? So if using XP you would need one license per terminal plus one for the host correct?

As said before tricky country is the licensing-swamp... or something like that ;)

Thanks again,

/Kristian - Sweden
romsUser is Offline

Posts:54
12/18/2008 5:51 AM  

You can buy "Microsoft Windows XP Professional Remote Desktop Licence" for the Windows XP Pro OS.

So with each L-series you have to buy one licence
For each X300 you have to buy 3 licences
For each X550 you have to buy 5 licences

But for less money, you can buy one "Microsoft Windows XP Pro OEM Licence" for each terminal which can be half the price than "Microsoft Windows XP Professional Remote Desktop Licence"
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Forums > NComputing Community > New Forum > Licensing explination