Which RDS CALs 2008 R2 license is best for my needs?

Licenses for Windows Server operating systems allow the OS to function on the purchaser's physical server, but do not grant user or device access rights.

Separate licenses are required to enable users or devices to connect to the server and utilise specific services.

A User-CAL provides a licence for an individual to access the server. It permits access from multiple endpoints as it is linked to the user, not the device. A Device-CAL, on the other hand, permits a device to connect to the server, negating the need for a User-CAL for individuals using that device.

Which one fits my business?

The choice depends on your employee-to-device ratio and working environment, particularly whether employees connect from external locations or the same site.

For example:

• If you have fewer employees than devices, opt for User-CAL. This is also ideal if your employees need to connect from various devices to the server.
• If you have fewer devices than users, opt for Device-CAL. This is also suitable if employees are in the same location but have different schedules, sharing the same device.

User RDS CALs Licence

With a User RDS CALs licence, licensing is not enforced. Each user gets a licence to connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host from any device. The licence server allocates licences from the available or overused RDS CAL pool. It's your duty to ensure all users hold a valid licence, avoiding the use of overused CALs to stay compliant with Remote Desktop Services licensing.

For most businesses, the User RDS CALs licence is cost-effective, as employees typically access servers from multiple devices. For instance, an employee might access their email on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile throughout the week. A single User RDS CALs licence covers that employee, whereas a Device RDS CAL would require one licence per device.

Device RDS CALs Licence

Using the Device model, a temporary licence is issued when a device first connects to a Remote Desktop Session Host. Upon a second connection, provided the licence server is active and RDS CALs are available, a permanent Device RDS CAL is issued.

The Device RDS CALs Licence is ideal when many employees share a limited number of computers. Examples include a kiosk in a shopping centre with part-time staff, a maintenance team using a shared PC to clock in, or a business running 24/7 with shifts sharing the same PCs.