Should I buy Windows 2008 Server OEM or the normal?

[drew4452862]

Hello,

I am unsure if I should go for the cheaper OEM or the original product for windows 2008 server. Newegg sells an OEM copy. Any ideas?

 

[hang-the-9]

OEM disks do not come with support from Microsoft and they are limited to be licensed only on the hardware you buy it for. So if you kill that server, you need to buy a new copy for another server instead of moving over the copy. That's really the only restrictions.

 

[Ijack]

If it's for use in a business I would say go for the full retail version. The cost of the software is an almost negligible part of the total cost of ownership. The cost of CALS alone is going to dwarf the initial cost of the OS.

But if it's a home setup and you are fairly competent then go for the OEM version (with the restrictions mentioned above).

 

[hang-the-9]

If it's for use in a business I would say go for the full retail version. The cost of the software is an almost negligible part of the total cost of ownership. The cost of CALS alone is going to dwarf the initial cost of the OS.

But if it's a home setup and you are fairly competent then go for the OEM version (with the restrictions mentioned above).

I forgot about the connection licenses. I don't know if the OEM version would have any built-in. I think Server comes with 5(?) connections when you purchase it, you may need to check on that for your needs.

 

[Ijack]

Yep, server comes with 5 CALs (well, it always did and I presume it still does). I'm pretty sure that it's the same for OEM versions, but it would be worth checking.