What is Microsoft Exchange Server 2019?
Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 is a powerful platform for messaging, calendar, contacts, scheduling, and collaboration that can significantly improve your business. It is deployed on the Windows Server operating system (OS) for business use. Like Windows Server products, Microsoft Exchange Server requires Client Access Licenses (CALs), of which there are two main types: Device CALs and user CALs. Exchange Server 2019 is equipped with a variety of features and enhancements that boost productivity and protect sensitive data. The heart of Exchange Server 2019 is the email server, the email client is compatible with various devices including PCs, Phones, and tablets. This makes the use of Exchange Server 2019 very versatile in a business environment. On top of the email server, there is a scheduling system that includes a calendar and task list which you can view, manage, and share within your organization.
Exchange Server 2019 Standard vs Enterprise?
Exchange Server 2019 Enterprise is designed specifically for organizations that want to use Database Availability Groups (DAGs) for high availability. In addition to their mailbox databases, the Exchange Server 2019 DAG can also host copies of the mailbox databases of the other Mailbox servers in the group, ensuring automatic recovery of the mailbox database when, for example, a server, disk, or network failure occurs.
Exchange Server 2019 Standard is limited to 5 DAG mailbox databases and therefore quickly becomes unsuitable for multiple mailbox databases. Exchange Server 2019 Enterprise supports up to 100 linked mailbox databases per server. Exchange Server 2019 Enterprise also brings improvements in security and performance features like the search infrastructure and more reliable failovers.
When will support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 end?
Make sure you purchase a version of Exchange Server that receives adequate support from Microsoft. This includes standard support (updates) and extended support (security). Basic support, i.e. standard support, ends first. See the end support dates below:
Standard support: 09-01-2024
Extended support: 14-10-2025
Exchange Server 2019 CALs
CAL (Client Access License) is a license that provides access to users or devices to a server. For Microsoft Exchange Server licenses such as 2013, 2016, or 2019, users and/or devices need to have CALs to access the services of the server. There are a few options depending on who needs the access:
- Exchange Server 2019 User CALs
Exchange Server 2019 User CALs are licenses that provide users with access to the server. For example, if one of your employees needs access to the server and uses multiple devices, such as their laptop, iPad, smartphone, and/or PC, it is more cost-efficient to purchase a User CAL license. This can be purchased in addition to the Server license. Exchange Server 2019 User CALs are very popular because in most scenarios a single user wants or needs access to multiple devices.
- Exchange Server 2019 Device CALs
Different from User CALs, Device CALs provide access to the server for devices. This is beneficial if you only want to use the Exchange Server license on one device or have fewer devices than users. In these cases, Exchange Server 2019 Device CALs are cheaper.
Connect to Exchange Server 2019 remotely
If users want to have access to Exchange Server 2019 remotely, a Remote Desktop Services (RDS) User/Device CAL license is required. Licensing Exchange Server 2019 for remote use works the same way as for the local version of Exchange Server 2019. To be able to use Exchange Server 2019 remotely, you must choose between RDS User CALs and RDS Device CALs. Looking at these options from a financial perspective, the advice would be to look at the amount of users and the amount of devices. In case there are less users than devices, the more cost efficient option would be to license the users so they can use several devices without the organization having to pay for multiple RDS Device CAL licenses. If it’s the other way around, the better option would be to choose to license the devices so organizations wouldn’t have to pay for several license for several users while they’re just using one device.
Note: CAL licenses are NOT included with Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 Enterprise or Standard licenses and must be purchased separately.