| Mode | Description | |------|-------------| | | One CAL covers a single user accessing RDS from an unlimited number of devices. Roaming users. | | Per Device | One CAL covers a single device (any user from that device). Shared workstations, shift workers, kiosks. |
RDS License is a type of software license that allows users to access a remote desktop or application hosted on a Windows Server. The license is required for each user or device that accesses the remote desktop or application. The RDS License is a separate license from the Windows Server license, and it is designed to manage and track the usage of RDS.
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❗ RDS CALs are interchangeable between license types. A Volume Licensing CAL cannot activate on an SPLA license server, and vice versa.
| ✅ Do | ❌ Don't | |--------|----------| | Install RD Licensing on a stable, backed-up server. | Rely on the grace period beyond testing. | | Match license version to RDSH OS (or newer). | Mix Per User and Per Device across farm. | | Use Group Policy to enforce license server discovery. | Reassign Per Device CALs more often than 90 days without retiring the old device. | | Keep purchase records for 3+ years. | Assume Windows Server CAL includes RDS access. | remote desktop services license
[AD DS] → [RD Connection Broker] → [RD Session Hosts] ↓ [RD License Server] (Per User/Per Device CALs installed)
To use RDS beyond the initial , you must set up a Remote Desktop License Server. | Mode | Description | |------|-------------| | |
Strictly enforced; connections are blocked if limit is reached Up to 120 days Up to 89 days Revocability Cannot be revoked Up to 20% of CALs can be revoked Best For
🔍 Discrepancy between installed/issued CALs and actual usage = true-up liability. Shared workstations, shift workers, kiosks