TS External Connector License?

[linescanner]

That would be nice wouldn't it. Ms licencing is deliberatly esoteric i'm sure so they can manage to get more money out of you at a later date once you've aready invested to much to back out otherwise they would just have a straight forward requirements list. Grrrrrrrr

 

Bring on Linux on the Desktop. All this hell goes away

[cookie_monster]

"Bring on Linux on the Desktop. All this hell goes away"

 

You never know hopefully, i actually see TS as a product that MS are placing to combat Linux's (possible) dominance of low spec hardware, but we'll see.

 

Hopefully Ubuntu can start making in roads.

[linescanner]

I would love to see it.

 

The shift will come when ISVs start writing good edu software that runs cross platform.....and not just web

[CyberNerd]

i actually see TS as a product that MS are placing to combat Linux's (possible) dominance of low spec hardware

you can't be serious, MS's latest TS offering requires vista or XPSP3 for TS - it doesn't compare to the system requirements of the competitors, we're running an entire thin client site on an 9MB OS (which conceivably runs on a p120) .

 

The shift will come when ISVs start writing good edu software that runs cross platform.....and not just web

 

but what incentive do they have - the current situation is that every time MS release a new OS, the vendors get to sell a new version of their software for the latest MS release - or worse - they force an MS upgrade on schools because of incentives from their MS partnership.

Now if only a govt agency would support Schools specific content development on open source implementations.

Personally I think the key will be web based resources, particularly VLE resources - some of the commercial offerings are surprisingly interactive already.

[linescanner]

but what incentive do they have - the current situation is that every time MS release a new

OS, the vendors get to sell a new version of their software for the latest MS release - or worse - they force an MS upgrade on schools because of incentives from their MS partnership.

Now if only a govt agency would support Schools specific content development on open source implementations.

Personally I think the key will be web based resources, particularly VLE resources - some of the commercial offerings are surprisingly interactive already.

 

Nail and head Sir

 

not just web based but platform independent apps

[cookie_monster]

you can't be serious, MS's latest TS offering requires vista or XPSP3 for TS -

 

That could change 'very' quickly, i'm talking future battle lines here. There really isn't anyhing to stop MS almost giving away XP embedded on TS devices, or even embracing Linux in this scenario and supplying a Linux version of RDP (they already have one trust me). Microsofts knows that one day Linux will be 'here' but in the mean time they'll just slow it down and keep raking in the profits.

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

I agree that platform independent apps is the key, Mono maybe?

[cookie_monster]

So at the moment we can't decide what the difference is between Windows External Connector Licence and a TS External Connector Licence or if you need both or just one.

 

Right?

 

---------------------------------

 

Ah right i think it's either:

 

Yes, the Windows External Connector and Terminal Server Expternal Connector licenses are to be used for non-employees connecting from the Internet. It can't legally be used for employees.

 

As students aren't employees you need an external connector apparently.

Edited May 6, 2008 by cookie_monster

[wesleyw]

Probably be cheaper then to buy TS User CALs instead one for every Student and Staff Member! From what I've heard you would need an external connector license for each server you access 10 TS servers 10 External Connectors!

 

 

Wes

[cookie_monster]

As students aren't staff the CAL's don't apply so i think they need the external connector, if you limit incoming connections to one server then we should only need one.

 

I'm hoping.

[wesleyw]

See this is the problem talking to Microsoft. They said Per user CALs would be fine for students and teachers!

 

 

Wes

[linescanner]

One of my customers has just spoken to M$ and got another different answer.

 

This is getting silly !!!!!!

[DMcCoy]

As students aren't staff the CAL's don't apply so i think they need the external connector, if you limit incoming connections to one server then we should only need one.

 

I'm hoping.

 

CALs do apply.

 

You can use an external connector for students, you can't for Staff

You can have free external connectors from Microsoft with select and schools agreement, this free one is not for use by students or staff!

 

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

 

You need an external connector for each microsoft server that the students access from outside, you need a Terminal services connector for each TS server they access. This would not need client license for students.

 

If you license all students and staff with CALs and no other external users access the server then you do not need any external connector licenses.

[cookie_monster]

CALs do apply

 

Yes i'm ok with the staff licencing it's this odd students aren't staff issue that's causing confusion. You would think that will the millions of students around the world using this product that they would be more clear on the issue or just offer a specific licence model.

 

 

If you license all students and staff with CALs and no other external users access the server then you do not need any external connector licenses.

 

I've had it spelled out to me that students are not staff and so CAL's cannot apply to them. They are treated the same as if members of the public (which legally they are that's how you get aroung carp toilet facilities in most schools) are connecting to a company server which requires an external connector licence.

Edited May 7, 2008 by cookie_monster

[DSapseid]

I spoke to one of my suppliers about this as i am hopeing to go down this route in the summer, his answer is below.

 

If you install office 2003 and open office on the TS server with a note saying only use office if you have a valid copy of office on your home machine as then moves the onus from us to them. You are offering the alternative so you should be covered.

[cookie_monster]

Yes i was told that if you tell staff that they can't use Office unless they have an 'applicable' Office licence at home and make them sign a usage agreement you should be ok. I still think that this is 'bending' the rules at best.

[DMcCoy]

I spoke to one of my suppliers about this as i am hopeing to go down this route in the summer, his answer is below.

 

Why? They are using *your* copy of office without a license and you *know* that they don't have one?

[DMcCoy]

Yes i'm ok with the staff licencing it's this odd students aren't staff issue that's causing confusion. You would think that will the millions of students around the world using this product that they would be more clear on the issue or just offer a specific licence model.

 

 

 

 

I've had it spelled out to me that students are not staff and so CAL's cannot apply to them. They are treated the same as if members of the public (which legally they are that's how you get aroung carp toilet facilities in most schools) are connecting to a company server which requires an external connector licence.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/education/serveraccess.mspx

 

Read the letter, it talks about getting sufficient CALs for students and staff for the free connector. This page/faq is the most confusing of them all though.

[DSapseid]

Why? They are using *your* copy of office without a license and you *know* that they don't have one?

 

I know i thought it was strange but he said that M$ are happy with that!!

[DMcCoy]

From what I've read this is my interpretation.

 

For on site use get Device CALs. For staff external use you need additional user CALs for the app/server.

 

For student on site use then they are covered by the device CALs, for external use they are covered if you buy the external connectors.

 

If you want office you are screwed. Office 2007 will only install on TS with the enterprise edition, and ALL licenses must be of the same type. You can't license students with vol license afaik (there are some other licensing schemes). So for Office 2007 it seems to be impossible to legally license students to use it via TS.

[DMcCoy]

Yes i'm ok with the staff licencing it's this odd students aren't staff issue that's causing confusion. You would think that will the millions of students around the world using this product that they would be more clear on the issue or just offer a specific licence model.

 

 

 

 

I've had it spelled out to me that students are not staff and so CAL's cannot apply to them. They are treated the same as if members of the public (which legally they are that's how you get aroung carp toilet facilities in most schools) are connecting to a company server which requires an external connector licence.

 

 

I have CALs at home, my family aren't employees. A cal is a client license, nothing more. I am unaware of any restriction on what classifies as a client.

[cookie_monster]

Read the letter, it talks about getting sufficient CALs for students and staff for the free connector. This page/faq is the most confusing of them all though.

 

I think i need to get MS to read that as well.

 

 

3.

You acquire CALs via the Student Option for the same product(s) for all of the students in the same institution, department, or school district.

 

What is the student option and does this mean one CAL for each student? I remember one sales rep telling me this.

Edited May 7, 2008 by cookie_monster

[linescanner]

Lets make this interesting

 

lets set a standard scenario and the ask all the respective edu suppliers and MS for an answer.

 

See how many different answer we get

[CyberNerd]

Sounds like a fantastic idea. but all we know that MS resellers privately tell schools that the are 'immune' to prosecution from MS lawsuits. It would be too risky for MS to prosecute schools in the long term. Much better if there was a larger (BSF) organisation to sue. besides, the MS resellers get more money by making it up as they go along. Edited May 7, 2008 by CyberNerd

[Ravening_Wolf]

I think my head just exploded.

[cookie_monster]

While digging into this TS asside someone has just insisted that you need an Office CAL for each student not for each device. This is madness surely no one else does this do they?