1. What is a Windows Server Cost Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the total cost of running a Windows Server by combining license fees and hardware costs.

Purpose: It helps IT professionals and businesses budget for Windows Server deployments.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Cost \) — Total server cost (dollars)
• \( License\_fee \) — Microsoft Windows Server license cost
• \( Hardware\_cost \) — Server hardware purchase/lease cost

Explanation: The total cost is simply the sum of software licensing and hardware expenses.

3. Importance of Server Cost Calculation

Details: Accurate cost estimation helps with budgeting, ROI analysis, and comparing on-premises vs. cloud solutions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the Windows Server license fee and hardware costs in dollars. Both values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's included in license fees?
A: This includes Windows Server OS licenses, CALs (Client Access Licenses), and any additional feature licenses.

Q2: What's included in hardware costs?
A: Server hardware, storage, networking equipment, and any associated infrastructure costs.

Q3: Does this include maintenance costs?
A: No, this calculates initial deployment costs only. Consider adding 15-20% annually for maintenance.

Q4: Where can I find license fee information?
A: Check Microsoft's licensing guides or consult with a Microsoft licensing specialist.

Q5: How does this compare to cloud hosting?
A: For cloud comparisons, you'd need to calculate 3-5 years of cloud subscription costs versus this one-time+maintenance model.