How to choose the right license for a server under Active Directory?

Question

Active Directory

Hello!
There is a server with 2 processors (each with 18 cores, 36 threads) , a virtual machine with Windows Server 2016 for 2 cores is

deployed on it. There are about 100 PCs in the organization (respectively, 100 employees / users) that will be connected to the AD domain.
There will be no terminals.

From WinServer it is required: LDAP + GPO

What license it is required to buy that on this OS it was possible to use Active Directory quietly and licensed?
Standard or Essentials license?

Answer 1

Essentials has a limit of 25 users / 50 devices / 10 cores / 1 socket. We strike out.
You need a Standard license for 36 cores (must license all physical cores). This will allow you to run two Windows Server VMs on this hardware. If you need more, we take another Standard license for 36 cores and run 4 VMs. If you need even more, then you should consider using Datacenter.
In addition to the Windows Server license, you must purchase the required number of client licenses (CAL Device or CAL User, depending on what is more profitable / convenient for you).

Answer 2

Why spend money if you need a banal AD with authorization. You put Debian and samba in ad-dc mode and you have a Windows compatible free CD ready. I have more than 1.5 k users on it, everything is without problems. Also, if replication is needed, you put a backup cd on any other server, and in the event of a server failure, users will not lose authorization. The use of resources is many times less than that of Win.

Answer 3

You can look towards Zentyal or Univention Corporate Server.
Cheaper or free, as for me, faster, easier.
According to your tasks

it was possible to safely use Active Directory

quite convenient to manage through the web-interface