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 6 User Access License model, users consume a single User license (per tree) regardless of the number of NetWare 6 servers they log on to. Printers that connect to a NetWare 6 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 will 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 will find their overall unit consumption reduced with the NetWare 6 licensing model, despite the persistent nature of license unit assignments.