Choosing the Right RDS CALs 2016 License for Your Needs

The licenses for the Windows Server operating system are exclusive to the physical server purchased by the licensee, providing no rights for user or device connections.

To enable user or device connections and utilization of specific services on the server, distinct licenses must be obtained.

A User-CAL permits an individual to access the server from any number of devices since the CAL is associated with the user rather than the device. Conversely, a Device-CAL allows a specific device access to the server, negating the need for individual user CALs for those utilizing the device.

Which is preferable for my enterprise?

The decision hinges on whether your business has a greater number of employees or devices and the nature of your work environment—whether remote connectivity or local access is required.

For instance:

• If your company has fewer employees than devices, a User-CAL might be more appropriate, particularly if access from multiple devices is necessary.
• If there are more users than devices, then a Device-CAL would be suitable, especially if these users share devices across different shifts or locations.

User RDS CALs License

In the User RDS CALs model, licensing is not enforced rigorously; a license is allocated to each user allowing connection from any device to a Remote Desktop Session Host. It is vital to ensure that all users are licensed properly to avoid violations of the Remote Desktop Services licensing terms.

This option tends to be more cost-effective for most companies, particularly if employees access the server via multiple devices throughout the week. For example, an employee might access their workstation, laptop, tablet, and smartphone, all under a single User RDS CALs license, whereas a per-device model would require individual licenses for each device.

Device RDS CALs Licence

The per-device model starts with a temporary license upon a device's initial connection to a Remote Desktop Session Host. On subsequent connections, assuming the license server is active with available RDS CALs, a permanent Device RDS CAL is issued.

This approach fits well in scenarios with many employees using a few shared devices, like a kiosk in a mall with varying part-time staff, a shared PC for a maintenance team, or a company operating round-the-clock with multiple shifts sharing the same computers.