Microsoft Server Licensing

"We purchased a PowerEdge T310 some time ago and it came with Server 2008 OS and 10 CALs, where can I find the details of these licenses? I.e what type of license, Open, Select, etc..."

OS license key/COA will be on a sticker on the server. CAL's will have come in a paper format - these must be retained for audit purposes and cannot be replaced (must re-purchase if lost).

"Ans since we purchased it in early 2012, are we entitled to Server 2012 OS and CALs?"

No. The ONLY way you would be entitled to run Server 2012 with your existing license (without having to buy a newer license) is if your server actually shipped from Dell WITH a 2012 license/COA and 2008 R2 was installed using "downgrade rights".

Thanks theflash1932,

That is very disappointing, I guess we won't be purchasing MS licensing from Dell again... Luckily the damage wasn't too bad.

"That is very disappointing, I guess we won't be purchasing MS licensing from Dell again"

I'm not sure I understand the problem. 

Dell doesn't make the licensing rules, Microsoft does. You either CHOSE that OS option when you purchased it, or maybe were ignorant of the licensing rules. Same thing would have happened with HP, IBM, etc., because everyone is required to sell Microsoft licensing the same way. The only way to avoid doing what you maybe inadvertently chose is to purchase licensing through a volume license account with software assurance, which is much more expensive.