Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard - 50 Device CAL Pack

SQL Server 2017 Standard Device CAL Pack: License 50 Shared Workstations Permanently

Equip your entire fleet of shared workstations, kiosks, or factory-floor terminals with full, perpetual access to your Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard database. This 50-pack of Device Client Access Licences (CALs) is the definitive licensing solution for environments where many users rotate through a fixed set of machines. Instead of purchasing a licence for every individual employee, you licence the device itself. Any number of users can then connect to your SQL Server instance from that single, licensed machine — no individual user licences required. It is a streamlined, cost-effective model built for high-turnover, shift-based, or public-access scenarios.

Each of the 50 licences in this pack is a genuine, perpetual Microsoft Retail Device CAL. There are no recurring subscription fees, no expiration dates, and no mandatory renewals. Once assigned, a device is permanently authorised to access your SQL Server 2017 Standard server. This pack is ideal for organisations standardising on SQL Server 2017 for line-of-business applications, data warehousing, or departmental databases, and who operate a shared-device strategy. From hospitals and logistics hubs to educational computer labs and retail points of sale, this licence pack simplifies compliance and reduces administrative overhead, all while unlocking the full cross-platform and intelligent performance capabilities of SQL Server 2017.

Key features and benefits

• Perpetual Device CALs for 50 machines — A one-time purchase that licenses 50 physical devices permanently. Any number of users on those devices can access the SQL Server, eliminating the need to count or manage individual user licences.
• Optimised for shared-device environments — The ideal licensing model for hospital nursing stations, warehouse scanning terminals, library catalogues, and manufacturing shop floors where multiple employees share the same hardware throughout a shift.
• Unlocks cross-platform database engine — SQL Server 2017 introduced native support for Linux, Docker containers, and Windows. Your licensed devices can connect to a SQL Server instance running on the operating system of your choice.
• Adaptive Query Processing — The database engine automatically adjusts join strategies, memory grants, and execution plans based on real-time runtime conditions, delivering faster query performance without manual tuning by a database administrator.
• Automatic database tuning — SQL Server continuously monitors query performance and can automatically identify and remediate performance regressions, including forcing last-known-good execution plans, keeping your applications running smoothly.
• Graph database capabilities — Native graph tables allow you to model complex many-to-many relationships (such as supply chains, social networks, or recommendation engines) directly within the database, simplifying queries that would be cumbersome with traditional relational joins.
• Resumable online index operations — Perform index maintenance in stages. You can pause and resume index rebuilds without losing progress, allowing you to fit large maintenance tasks into limited windows and recover gracefully from interruptions.
• Advanced security layers — Includes row-level security, dynamic data masking, and Always Encrypted technology to protect data at rest and in motion, helping your organisation meet compliance requirements for sensitive information.
• Basic high availability and disaster recovery — Standard edition supports two-node failover clustering and basic availability groups, providing essential uptime guarantees for your critical departmental databases.
• Flexible licence reassignment — A Device CAL can be permanently reassigned from one device to another every 90 days, giving you the flexibility to replace hardware or repurpose workstations without purchasing a new licence.

What's included with your purchase

Upon completing your order, you will receive a comprehensive digital delivery package containing everything needed to bring your 50 devices into compliance. The core of your purchase is a genuine Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard Device CAL Retail licence key, which authorises 50 distinct physical devices. This is a perpetual licence, meaning it has no expiry date and does not require a recurring subscription. Your purchase includes the official licence activation key, a direct download link to the official Microsoft SQL Server management tools, and a detailed installation and activation guide. A fully compliant VAT invoice is issued with every order, suitable for business accounting and tax reclamation across the EU. The licence is a Retail channel licence, offering the most flexible transfer and reassignment rights compared to OEM versions, and is valid for activation and use in all 27 EU member states.

Licensing explained: what you need to know

A Microsoft SQL Server deployment requires two distinct licence components: a server licence for the software running the database engine, and Client Access Licences (CALs) for every client or user accessing it. The server licence for SQL Server 2017 Standard is sold separately, typically under a core-based model. This product is the CAL component. Every device or user that directly or indirectly accesses the SQL Server data, queries, or services must be covered by a CAL, unless the server is licensed under a per-core model that includes unlimited access (available only in Enterprise edition).

Device CALs, like the ones in this pack, license a specific physical machine. This is the most efficient model for shared workstations. In contrast, a User CAL licenses a specific person, allowing them to access SQL Server from any device (desktop, laptop, mobile). User CALs are generally more suitable for employees who need database access from multiple devices. For environments like call centres, factory floors, or hospital wards, where many employees use a single, shared terminal, Device CALs are the more economical and manageable choice. This Standard edition CAL pack provides access to the full feature set of SQL Server 2017 Standard, which is distinct from the more limited Express edition and the more expensive, fully featured Datacenter edition. Standard edition is ideal for departmental databases, reporting, and analytics, supporting up to 24 cores and 128 GB of memory.

System requirements / compatibility

To utilise these Device CALs, your environment must have a running instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard edition. The SQL Server 2017 Standard server software itself can be installed on Windows Server 2012 R2 or later, or on supported Linux distributions (including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Ubuntu). The licensed client devices can be running any operating system from which they can establish a network connection to the SQL Server instance, though the CAL itself is a legal right, not a software component installed on the client. The product languages supported for the SQL Server instance and its tools include English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, and Japanese. For precise hardware requirements for the SQL Server host machine (processor, memory, disk space), please refer to the official Microsoft SQL Server 2017 documentation, as these depend on your specific workload and deployment configuration.

Installation and activation

Your licence key is delivered instantly via email, typically within 60 seconds of payment confirmation. The email contains your unique 50-device CAL pack licence key and a link to download the official SQL Server 2017 installation media from Microsoft's secure servers. Activation is a straightforward process: during the SQL Server 2017 Standard installation or post-installation configuration, you will enter the provided licence key when prompted. The Microsoft Activation and Validation Service will verify the key online and permanently activate your server instance. No separate installation is required on the 50 client devices; the CALs are a legal entitlement, not a software component. You are responsible for maintaining records of your CAL allocation. If you encounter any issues during activation, Lizensa provides free multilingual technical support to assist you. As a perpetual Retail licence, you are entitled to reinstall and reactivate the SQL Server software on the same or replacement hardware, provided the previous instance is removed.

Why choose Lizensa for your software licences

Securing genuine software licences for your organisation should be a straightforward, transparent, and secure transaction. At Lizensa, we have built our entire process around delivering exactly that. The moment your payment is processed through our Stripe-secured checkout, your licence key is dispatched to your inbox, often in under a minute. There is no waiting for physical post; it is instant digital delivery, ready for immediate deployment. Every licence we sell is 100% genuine and sourced directly from authorised European distribution channels, guaranteeing you a fully compliant, verifiable Microsoft licence. As an EU-based company, your purchase is protected by robust European consumer rights, including a 14-day refund guarantee, and is backed by a full European warranty. We provide a detailed VAT invoice with every order, with reverse-charge mechanisms available for B2B customers, simplifying your accounting. Our checkout supports a wide range of European payment methods, including SEPA bank transfer, iDEAL, BLIK, Google Pay, and major credit cards, all processed securely. Should you ever need assistance, our free multilingual support team is on hand to help with any pre- or post-purchase questions, ensuring your activation is valid and recognised across all 27 EU member states.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Is this a subscription or a one-time purchase?

This is a one-time, perpetual purchase. The 50 Device CALs are licensed permanently and do not require any recurring subscription fees or annual renewals. You pay once and the devices are licensed for the lifetime of the SQL Server 2017 Standard instance.

What is the difference between a Device CAL and a User CAL?

A Device CAL licenses a single physical device, allowing any number of users to access SQL Server from that machine. A User CAL licenses a single named user, allowing them to access SQL Server from any device. Device CALs are best for shared workstations; User CALs are best for mobile employees.

How fast will I receive my licence key after purchase?

Our system delivers licence keys via email automatically, typically within 60 seconds of a successful payment confirmation. You will also have immediate access to the key in your Lizensa customer account.

Is this a genuine, legally compliant Microsoft licence?

Absolutely. Every licence sold by Lizensa is a genuine Microsoft product sourced from authorised European distributors. You receive a fully legal, verifiable licence that is valid for activation and use across the entire EU.

What if I have trouble activating the licence?

We provide free, multilingual technical support to all our customers. If you encounter any issues during the activation process, simply contact our support team, and we will guide you through to a successful resolution.

Can I transfer a Device CAL to a new computer?

Yes. A Device CAL can be permanently reassigned from one device to another. However, due to Microsoft's licensing terms, this reassignment can only occur once every 90 days, except in the case of permanent hardware failure.

Does this licence work in my country?

This Retail licence is valid for activation and use in all 27 member states of the European Union. It is not region-locked and is fully compliant with EU software distribution laws.

What payment methods do you accept?

Our checkout is powered by Stripe and supports a wide range of payment options, including credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), SEPA bank transfer, iDEAL, BLIK, and Google Pay.

Do you provide a VAT invoice for my purchase?

Yes, a full VAT invoice is automatically generated and included with your order confirmation. For B2B customers with a valid EU VAT ID, the reverse charge mechanism can be applied, resulting in a net invoice.

What is your refund policy?

As an EU-based retailer, we offer a 14-day right of withdrawal for all customers. If you have not activated the licence, you may return your purchase for a full refund within 14 days of delivery.

Do I need a separate server licence to use these CALs?

Yes. These Device CALs grant client devices the right to access a SQL Server, but you must also have a licensed instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2017 Standard server software. The server licence is sold separately.

Can I use these CALs with a newer version of SQL Server?

No. SQL Server 2017 CALs are version-specific. They only license access to a SQL Server 2017 Standard instance. To access a newer version, such as SQL Server 2019 or 2022, you would need the corresponding CALs for that version.