Introduction to SharePoint On-Prem
Architecture & Setup
Site Management
Lists & Libraries
Pages & Content
Permissions & Security
Search & Navigation
Automation & Workflows
Integration & Extensibility
Development & Customization
Administration & Governance
Migration
Compliance & Records Management
Licensing Overview
When using SharePoint on-premises, a company needs to purchase and manage its own licenses, which is different from the subscription-based model of SharePoint Online. The licensing model is based on two main components: a server license and client access licenses (CALs).
1. Server License
The initial component of the licensing is the SharePoint Server license. One license needs to be bought for every physical server within a company’s SharePoint farm. This license is the base, granting the right to install and operate the SharePoint software itself.
2. Client Access Licenses (CALs)
The second, and frequently more complicated, element is the Client Access License (CAL). A CAL must be purchased for each user or device that is to access the SharePoint Server. There are two principal types of CALs:
- Standard CAL: This license provides a user or device with access to core SharePoint capabilities, such as team sites, document libraries, search, and content management.
- Enterprise CAL: This is an add-on license that needs to be bought alongside a Standard CAL. It enables premium features, such as Power BI for SharePoint, form services, and enhanced business intelligence tools.
User vs. Device CALs
Companies must also choose between two types of CALs:
- User CALs are allocated to a named user. This is the optimal choice when one user accesses the SharePoint server from several devices.
- Device CALs are allocated to a particular computer. This is an appropriate option for a shared computer, for example, a kiosk or a shared office PC, that is accessed by several individuals.
In general, on-premises licensing involves purchasing a farm server license and a CAL for every internal user or device, with the Standard or Enterprise CALs depending on the required features.
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