Windows Server 2012 (R2) Remote Desktop CALs – User

Windows Server 2012 (R2) Remote Desktop CALs (User): per-user access licences for existing RDS environments

Windows Server 2012 (R2) Remote Desktop CALs (User) are access licences for the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) of the Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 generation. They license users who use desktops or applications in a remote session on a Remote Desktop Session Host with this version. They are used in existing RDS environments based on Windows Server 2012 or 2012 R2, for example when further users are added there.

Per-user licensing

A User CAL is assigned to a user, who may then access the Remote Desktop Services from any device, for example from the workstation PC and from a notebook. The CALs are managed and issued by a Remote Desktop licence server; for this, the ‘Per User’ licensing mode is set on the session host. The RDS CAL is required in addition to the Windows Server CAL, which every user needs for access to the server unless the Microsoft Product Terms provide for an exception.

According to Microsoft, the following applies to versions: CALs of an older Windows Server version may not be used to access a newer version, whereas newer CALs cover older versions. An RDS licence server processes CALs of the same or an earlier Windows Server version. Before purchasing, you should therefore check the version of your session hosts and your licence server.

Buy Windows Server 2012 (R2) 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. The licensed users are counted, not the 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 2012 (R2) 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.