Choosing the Correct RDS CALs License for Your Business Needs

The Windows Server licenses allow operation only on the original purchaser's hardware and do not include rights for user or device connections.

To enable user or device access to your server's services, individual licenses must be acquired separately.

A User-CAL permits a single user access from various endpoints, since it is tied to the user rather than any specific device. Conversely, a Device-CAL allows a specific device server access, irrespective of the user operating it.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Business

The choice largely depends on your ratio of devices to employees and the nature of your operational environment, including whether access is mostly from within the company or also externally.

For instance:

• If devices outnumber employees, a User-CAL might be appropriate, especially if frequent external server access is needed.
• If your employees outnumber devices and often share them, a Device-CAL would likely be more suitable, ensuring efficiency despite varied schedules.

User RDS CALs Licensing

User RDS CALs are not strictly enforced but provide each registered user the ability to connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host from multiple devices. Licenses are distributed from the available or overutilized RDS CAL pools, and it's crucial to ensure all users are properly licensed to avoid violations.

This option usually suits businesses with employees who access servers from multiple devices, enhancing flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Device RDS CALs Licensing

The device model issues a temporary license upon a device's first connection to a Remote Desktop Session Host. On subsequent connections, provided the license server is active and has available RDS CALs, a permanent Device RDS CAL is issued.

This model is ideal for environments with high employee rotation using a few devices, such as kiosks or shared workstations in shift-based operations.