In previous versions of NetWare, a Server Connection License model is used, where users are granted access to network services on a per-server basis. This means each time a user accesses services on a different server, the user consumes a license unit on that server. Printer connections also consume a connection license.
In the NetWare User Access License model, users consume a single User license (per tree) regardless of the number of NetWare servers they log on to. Printers that connect to a NetWare server do not consume a User license. The same is true for all other non-User connections.
Once a user logs in to the tree, the license unit is assigned to that userID for 90 days, making it essentially a permanent assignment. Thus, if a company has installed a five-user license and has 10 employees, the first five can log in, logout, and leave the country. The remaining five users are not be able to get a license until 90 days after the other users have logged out, or until another five-user license is installed. License units that are in use can be manually released through Novell® iManager.
Because most users map more than one drive and possibly several printers, most companies find their overall unit consumption reduced with the NetWare licensing model, despite the persistent nature of license unit assignments.