FAQ software & licenses

The most important answers at a glance

Which license is best suited for your company's needs? Under what circumstances does a downgrade kit for Windows Server pay off? And how do the different licensing models actually work? These and other questions regularly arise before investing in new enterprise software. In our FAQ, we collect the most frequently asked questions and answer them for you – giving you the most important information at a glance so you can make a qualified purchase decision.

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Microsoft


Windows Server 2025 is available in various editions with different rights and licenses. The optimal decision for an edition depends on the size and requirements of the company.

You can read more about the different editions in the Thomas-Krenn wiki.


Each Windows server license includes an unrestricted downgrade right. In order to make use of this downgrade right, the end customer requires a corresponding installation medium and an activation key. A downgrade kit contains exactly these two components. A downgrade allows the use of an older version of Windows Server. Please note that the edition must be either the same or lower. A higher edition must not be used.

Such a downgrade is useful, for example, if older applications are not supported by version 2025. In this way, the latest version of the server OS can be licensed, but a technically compatible predecessor can still be run. This avoids stumbling blocks when migrating applications.


Microsoft differentiates between CALs (Client Access Licenses) for users or devices when issuing licenses. A User CAL entitles a specific person to use the software, regardless of the end device used. If your employees not only work via a stationary desktop, but also via mobile devices such as tablets or smartphones, such a user license is recommended. On the other hand, there is the Device CAL. With this license, you register a specific end device that can be used by any number of people. If, for example, you have a few workstations on which several employees work in turn, it makes economic sense to purchase Device CALs.


Microsoft Software Assurance can be purchased for a period of 3 years in addition to many Microsoft products. The purchase of Software Assurance entitles you to a free update at any time as soon as a new version of your software is released. This guarantees that you are always up to date with the latest developments. You also get access to Microsoft Unified Support, the VLSC portal and other services to optimize license management. The purchase of Microsoft Software Assurance is therefore highly recommendable for most users.

By the way, did you know that you can permanently upgrade your OEM license to a volume license by purchasing Software Assurance? Software Assurance can also be booked on OEM licenses. This is possible within 90 days of purchase.


In addition to the CALs for users or end devices, a general server license is also required. Microsoft has been using a core-based licensing model for the licensing of Windows Server since version 2016. The license requirement is calculated on the basis of the physical CPU cores used. The minimum licensing is 16 cores per system, but for systems with more CPU cores, all physical cores must be licensed.

You can read more about core licensing for Windows Server in the Thomas Krenn wiki.

Veeam


Veeam has been licensing the Veeam Data Protection Platform exclusively via VULs (Veeam Universal Licenses) since 2023. These transferable licenses allow an even easier transition to cloud and hybrid environments. The number of licenses required depends on the number and type of workloads. However, a VUL can basically be used independently of the workload. This means flexible and straightforward license management at no extra cost.

Read more about licensing in the Thomas Krenn wiki.


Veeam offers the license for its enterprise-level data platform in different variants.


The Foundation package only includes the Hybrid Backup and Recovery service area. This includes, among other things:

  • Cloud: AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud
  • Virtual: VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix, Red Hat, Proxmox VE
  • Physical: Windows, Linux, macOS, Unix
  • NAS backup
  • Snapshots, replication and CDP
  • Veeam DataLabs and data integration API



With the Advanced package, you also have access to various useful tools in the area of monitoring and analysis. These include

  • Real-time monitoring and notifications
  • Comprehensive reporting
  • Clear dashboards
  • Capacity planning and chargeback

The Essential package has the same content as Advanced, but is limited to a maximum of 50 workloads.

The Premium package adds recovery orchestration, which ensures uncomplicated and comprehensive data recovery. This includes, among other things:

  • 1-click mass recovery
  • DR failover orchestration
  • Dynamic documentation
  • Recovery to the cloud

The number of VULs required is determined by the number and type of workloads used. A workload can be a virtual machine, a physical server, a cloud instance/VM, an enterprise application or 500 GB of unstructured data on a NAS file server. Furthermore, up to three workstations or laptops are treated as one workload. This allows the required licenses to be flexibly added or reduced as needed.

VMware


VMware vSphere Standard, VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus, VMware vSphere Foundation and VMware Cloud Foundation are licensed on a core basis (at least 16 cores per CPU).

You can find more information on this in the Thomas-Krenn wiki.


VMware vCenter Server is a powerful tool for server administration. It enables centralized and clear administration of vSphere environments and allows automation and provisioning of virtual infrastructures in the hybrid cloud.

Further advantages of vCenter Server:

  • Simple deployment
  • Scalability in the hybrid cloud
  • Central administration
  • Proactive optimization
  • Improved management
  • Extensibility via plug-ins
  • Native elements

You can also find a lot of useful info about software & licenses in the Thomas Krenn wiki.
Do you have further questions about our software solutions or would you like to learn more about the different license models? Write to us!