Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop CALs – User

Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop CALs (User): per-user access licences for Remote Desktop Services

Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop CALs (User) are access licences for the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) of Windows Server 2019. Every user who connects to a Remote Desktop Session Host to use desktops or applications there requires an RDS CAL. With the User CAL, the licence is assigned to a user, who may then work from any device, for example from the office PC, the notebook when working from home and the tablet. This option is therefore suitable for environments in which employees use several devices.

How RDS User CALs are managed

RDS CALs are installed on a Remote Desktop licence server, which issues them to the users and records their assignment. For this, the ‘Per User’ licensing mode is set on the session host or via Group Policy. User CALs require an Active Directory domain: if the servers of the RDS environment are operated in a workgroup, according to Microsoft only Device CALs are permitted. In this case, choose Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop CALs (Device).

Technically, the licence server does not enforce the number of User CALs. It is therefore possible to connect more users than there are licences, but this breaches the licence terms. The administrator must therefore track usage personally in Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. In addition, an assigned User CAL cannot be taken back and can only be assigned to another user after 90 days, apart from special cases. After an RDS environment has been set up, a grace period of 120 days applies during which no licence server is required yet.

The RDS CAL supplements the Windows Server CAL but does not replace it: every user still requires a Windows Server CAL for access to the server, unless the Microsoft Product Terms provide for an exception.

Compatibility

Compatibility according to Microsoft. RDS CALs of an older version may not be used to access a newer Windows Server version; newer CALs, on the other hand, cover older versions. The licence server must have at least the same version as the installed CALs.

Buy Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop CALs (User): licence and scope of delivery

You select the number of User CALs via the product variant: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 500, 750 or 1,000. It corresponds to the number of licensed users, not the number of concurrent sessions. The quantity in the shopping basket remains at one. Server software and Windows Server CALs are not included. The scope of delivery includes:

• Windows Server 2019 RDS User CALs in the selected number
• the License Server ID (SPK) and the License Key Pack ID (LKP) for activation on the Remote Desktop licence server
• instructions for activation (see Activating RDS CALs and VDI licences and Guides and FAQ)

Delivery is digital once your payment has been received. To provide the activation data, we need the Product ID of your licence server; it is displayed in Remote Desktop Licensing Manager and is not a Windows product key. You submit the Product ID with a customer account under My Product Codes, without a customer account via the Guest Portal using your order number and billing email address. The License Server ID and License Key Pack ID are then available there for your order.

If you have any questions about activation on the licence server, our Support team is available around the clock by email. For larger environments, there are offers for businesses, schools and public authorities in the B2B Area. You will find server licences and further access licences in the category Windows Server and under Operating Systems.