Windows Server licensing

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Posted on by DamjanZ_SP

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Hi,

I am building a new production environtment, where client uses NAV2016 and I have few question regarding the licensing.

I have installed new VM where Windows Server 2022 Standard is installed and I installed SQL Server 2019 Standard and applied per core (2x2 vCore) license to it. I know that for SQL Server no CALs are required, since it is Per Core license.

I installed anothere VM Windows Server 2022 Standard where NAV2016 server is installed.

Windows Server is lincesed. but I am not sure, if I need to purchase aslo user and device CALs?

I'd like to reduce the cost of CALs by:

1. creating an AD Security Group and add all the users who are connecting to the NAV service tier as members into that AD Security Group (20x employees and 5x service accounts for 3rd party apps). Can I purchase exactly 1 user CAL license, or do I need to purchase 25 user CALs?

2. creating an AD Security Group and add all the devices that are connecting to the NAV service tier via WS calls (3x barcode scanners). Can I purchase exactly 1 device CAL license, or do I need to purchase 3 user CALs?

Thanks Damjan

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Microsoft Dynamics NAV

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Ramesh Kumar 7,547 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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No. A Device CAL is assigned per physical device, not per group. So for:

3 barcode scanners (making web service calls to NAV)

You’ll need 3 Device CALs, or license those service accounts with User CALs

I would suggest If users access from multiple devices (PC, mobile, etc.) → go with User CALs and If multiple users share one device (e.g., shop floor terminal) → go with Device CALs

Thanks

Ramesh

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YUN ZHU 99,086 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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If these 25 users all access NAV through one device, then yes.
But if they access NAV through their own devices, then no.

If this is a production environment used by customers, it is recommended to purchase multiple CALs, otherwise it may not be enough after actually going live.

In addition, NAV2016 only has a one-year support period, so please upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/dynamics-nav-2016?wt.mc_id=DX-MVP-5004336

Thanks

ZHU

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DamjanZ_SP 142 on at

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I think I found a solution to use only 1 Device CAL.

Users will sign-in to the NAV using 1 AD account, and all the postings of documents will done by same AD account.

P.S. implemenation of BC is planned in 2 years.

Thanks

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Khushbu Rajvi. 22,130 Super User 2026 Season 1 on at

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https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/deployment/licensing

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