Selecting the Right RDS CALs License for Your Business Needs

Licensing for the Windows Server operating system is confined to allowing the OS to run on the original license holder's physical server and does not extend legal connectivity rights to users or devices.

Separate licenses must be obtained by users or devices wishing to connect to and utilize services on the server.

A User-CAL provides the licensee with the ability to access the server from any number of devices as the license is assigned to the user, not any specific device. Conversely, a Device-CAL permits any user of a designated device to connect to the server without requiring individual User-CALs.

Deciding What's Best for Your Organization

The choice largely depends on your company’s ratio of employees to devices, as well as the nature of your work environment, including whether access is needed remotely or from a consistent location.

For instance:

• If your company has fewer employees than devices, or if employees need to access the server from multiple devices, a User-CAL would be more suitable.
• If your workforce features more users than devices, or if multiple employees use the same device in shifts, a Device-CAL is advisable.

User RDS CALs Licensing

With the User RDS CALs, licensing flexibility allows each user to access the Remote Desktop Session Host from any device. Licenses are allocated either from the available or the overused RDS CAL pool, and it is essential for the license administrator to ensure each user is appropriately licensed to avoid breaching Remote Desktop Services licensing terms.

Generally, the User RDS CALs option proves more economical for businesses where employees frequently access servers from various devices.

Device RDS CALs Licensing

In the device-based model, a temporary license is first granted when a device connects to the Remote Desktop Session Host. Upon subsequent connections, provided the license server is active and RDS CALs are available, a permanent Device RDS CAL is issued.

This licensing model is ideal for environments with a high employee turnover using a limited number of devices, such as kiosks in malls, maintenance teams, or businesses operating with multiple shifts.