CAL Woes

Greetings, everyone.
My name is Dusty, and I am trying to acquire some information, at the very least, about how Microsoft's CAL system works.

I have Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server, and need to find out what kind of CAL will work with this version of Windows.

I have been told by Microsoft that "Windows Small Business Server 2003" and "Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server" are two separate products, and, as such, require two different CALs. I was also told by Microsoft that the type of CAL I would need depends on whether it is an OEM, Volume License, or Retail edition of the OS.

Furthermore, I was told that whether I had an Open License agreement with Microsoft would also be a factor in what type of CAL I would need.

Unfortunately, I have been told different things by different Microsoft reps, and am wondering if anyone has experienced similar results with trying to obtain CALs, or if I am just overcomplicating things.

I have been through all of the Microsoft CAL documentation, as well as the documentation provided by the server software itself. This information is either extremely vague or conflicts with what I have been told about purchasing licenses.

Would any of you kind people out there happen to have any wisdom or perspective lost in Microsoft's licensing maze? Your help is greatly appreciated.

You can licenses. IE: obtain some via Open License (your reseller, including TechSoup will tell you how to open an Open License agreement) or retail. You will end up with some sort of certificate that you need to install into the licensing mmc plugin. In theory, it doesn't matter how you obtain them (legitimately of coure) as long as they are the right ones for the product you are licensing.

What exactly are you trying to license? What do you have now, and what do you want to add?

Thank you for your quick reply! Here's my predicament:
I have "Microsoft Windows Server 2003 for Small Business Server," and need to find out what kind of CAL will work with this version of Windows.
Thanks again for your time!

From what I can find:
User CALs are U84-00034
Device CALs are U84-00016

Returning licenses are an absolute pain in the rear (usually not possible) so make sure you get the right ones. Your VAR should be able to help - they have access to the right person at their distributor who can recommend the correct one.

That does look like what I need, thank you!