Hi,
we have SQL server 2000 and had more than 100 Device CAL's (SQL 2000 CALS
and SQL 2003 CAL's). We want to add few more lincense and vendor says the
current SQL CAL availble is SQL Server CAL 2008 and can not be used with SQL
server 2000.

It can be only downgraded to use n-1 versions and we are forced migrate all
CAL's to SQL 2008 CAL's. Our Application is developed for SQL server 2000 and
if change something then we need to redo or test the whole application to
work.

What is the Downgrade version policy in Microsoft.. Is Microsoft is going to
Kill the corporates every new releases they make..?

please Clarify

Dhanaraj. D
dhana@urjita.co.in

Here's a Q&A for you from: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/howtobuy/faq.mspx

Q. How do I downgrade to SQL Server 2000?

A. If you require SQL Server 2000 for existing solutions, you can still
acquire additional licenses by taking advantage of the SQL Server 2005
"downgrade rights." The downgrade rights enable you to purchase server plus
device CALs, server plus user CALs, or processor licenses for SQL Server
2005 and install and use the previous version for a reasonable period of
time. Downgrade rights to SQL Server 2000 are no longer available for
Runtime SQL Server 2005 licenses sold through the ISV Royalty program.

I guess you talked about this "downgrade rights" thing to your software
vendor. I'll ask to MS guys and let you know what they say when I get an
answer from them.

--
Ekrem Önsoy



"Dhana" <Dhana@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2CD59CAB-A56B-487E-824B-2431EF9621D8@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
> we have SQL server 2000 and had more than 100 Device CAL's (SQL 2000 CALS
> and SQL 2003 CAL's). We want to add few more lincense and vendor says the
> current SQL CAL availble is SQL Server CAL 2008 and can not be used with
> SQL
> server 2000.
>
> It can be only downgraded to use n-1 versions and we are forced migrate
> all
> CAL's to SQL 2008 CAL's. Our Application is developed for SQL server 2000
> and
> if change something then we need to redo or test the whole application to
> work.
>
> What is the Downgrade version policy in Microsoft.. Is Microsoft is going
> to
> Kill the corporates every new releases they make..?
>
> please Clarify
>
> Dhanaraj. D
> dhana@urjita.co.in
>
>

Hello Dhana,

Yesterday I was called by a Licensing Specialist from Microsoft about your
issue (in my previous post about your question, I told you I would send a
mail about this to Microsoft).

The lady told me that, there is no any written rule about using n-2 nor not
using it. She said that it was not even considered because most
people\companies adapt to the new technologies easily and they were eager
for doing it. She continued, sometimes our some partners' customers needed
to use old products just like your situation and we use our initiative and
told them they could use n-2 version (Just like buying SQL Server 2008 CAL
and use it for your SQL Server 2000 User\Devices). Also, this kind of usage
(new CAL for n-1 version) is valid only for OPEN Licensing.

However, I'd like to inform you that this is Microsoft Turkey. It somehow
may be different in your country. Although Microsoft has a global licensing
procedure, there could be some differences between countries. She asked me
to encourage you to call Microsoft for this problem or send an email to a
Licensing Specialist of Microsoft.

--
Ekrem Önsoy



"Dhana" <Dhana@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2CD59CAB-A56B-487E-824B-2431EF9621D8@microsoft.com...
> Hi,
> we have SQL server 2000 and had more than 100 Device CAL's (SQL 2000 CALS
> and SQL 2003 CAL's). We want to add few more lincense and vendor says the
> current SQL CAL availble is SQL Server CAL 2008 and can not be used with
> SQL
> server 2000.
>
> It can be only downgraded to use n-1 versions and we are forced migrate
> all
> CAL's to SQL 2008 CAL's. Our Application is developed for SQL server 2000
> and
> if change something then we need to redo or test the whole application to
> work.
>
> What is the Downgrade version policy in Microsoft.. Is Microsoft is going
> to
> Kill the corporates every new releases they make..?
>
> please Clarify
>
> Dhanaraj. D
> dhana@urjita.co.in
>
>