Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop CALs – User

Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop CALs (User): per-user access licences for RDS on Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop CALs (User) license access to the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) of a session host running Windows Server 2016. Every user who uses desktops or applications there in a remote session requires an RDS CAL. The User CAL is assigned to a user, who may then access from any device. It is used to license additional or new users in an existing RDS environment based on Windows Server 2016.

Assignment and management

The CALs are issued by a Remote Desktop licence server on which they are installed and activated. For this, the session host is set to the ‘Per User’ licensing mode, either in the deployment properties in Server Manager or via Group Policy. User CALs are assigned to users in Active Directory. According to Microsoft, only Device CALs are permitted in a workgroup; for this purpose, there are Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktop CALs (Device).

The licence server does not technically enforce the number of User CALs. Connecting more users than there are licences is nevertheless a breach of the licence terms; the administrator tracks usage in Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. An assigned User CAL cannot be revoked and can only be assigned to another user after 90 days, apart from special cases. For new RDS environments, a grace period of 120 days without a licence server applies.

In addition to the RDS CAL, every user requires a Windows Server CAL for access to the server, unless the Microsoft Product Terms provide for an exception.

Compatibility

Compatibility according to Microsoft. Windows Server 2016 RDS CALs are not permitted for session hosts running Windows Server 2019 or later, because CALs of an older version may not be used for a newer Windows Server version.

Buy Windows Server 2016 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 2016 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.