Windows Server 2008 license eased for Web

Microsoft confirmed plans to liberalize the license for Windows Server 2008 users running the upcoming software for Web server applications, in an attempt to keep boosting its market share against the still-dominant LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL Perl/PHP/Python) stack.

Users buying the Windows Web Server 2008 SKU won't need to buy client access licenses (CALs), a spokeswoman confirmed.

Nor will there be any limit on what kind of database software they use with IIS 7.0, the Web serving component built into Windows Server 2008 variously known as Internet Information Services or Internet Information Server. Nor is there any restriction on the number of users.

The main restriction is that IIS must be used as an Internet-accessible Web or POP3 e-mail server.

The predecessor Windows Server 2003 Web Edition didn't require a CAL, but did limit the number of users to 50.

The story was first reported late last week by CRN.

IIS has long been second banana to the Apache Web server, but it has been catching up recently. In August, measurement firm NetCraft reported that IIS held 36% of the market, vs. Apache's 48%.

NetCraf also said that if trends continue, IIS could catch up with Apache as early as this year.

Microsoft channel partners quoted by CRN applauded the move, saying "byzantine" licensing rules from Redmond had hurt its sales, especially among Web startups.

"This will absolutely help Microsoft compete against the LAMP stack," one reseller said.

Some resellers, however, said that the move here may be an attempt to draw attention away from Redmond's refusal to liberalize its virtualization licenses, which can raise costs for end users and make deploying virtualization less attractive.