User CAL and RDP CAL

Question

Hello,

I need to install a server for a client. 5 employees are going to remote desktop to that server in the same time and use an application running with a SQL Server.

My question is, as well as the Windows Server 2019 Standard license, do I have to buy CALs ?
Or do I have to buy 5-pack User CAL or the 5-pack User RDP CAL ?
Or do I have to buy both pack, User CAL and RDP CAL ?

KR,

Michael ATTISY

Answer 1

Hi, Mr. Michael ATTISY

In such cases, you could purchase both 5-pack User CALs and 5-pack User RDP CALs for every user who accesses the server to use application running with a SQL Server and RDP services such as file storage or printing.

Firstly, Microsoft offers a device-based CAL (Device CAL) or a user-based CAL (User CAL) for purchase. For example, if you have an application server that uses SQL Server for its database – users of the application (or the devices they use) will need a SQL CAL even though they may not access the SQL Server directly. If you use a Linux server to run a web server, but your users accessing the webserver are being authenticated via Windows Server – users (or the devices they use) will need a Windows Server CAL.
• Client Access License based on user - User CALs
With the User CAL, you purchase a CAL for every user who accesses the server to use services such as file storage or printing, regardless of the number of devices they use for that access. Purchasing a User CAL might make more sense if your company's employees need to have roaming access to the corporate network by using multiple devices, or from unknown devices, or if you simply have more devices than users in your organization.
• Client Access License based on device - Device CALs
With a Device CAL, you purchase a CAL for every device that accesses your server, regardless of the number of users who use that device to access the server.
Device CALs may make more economic and administrative sense if your company has workers who share devices, for example, on different work shifts.

Secondly, the RDS CALs are required only when accessing the Windows Server GUI, or if any of the RDS components listed are used (e.g. Remote Desktop Web Access, Remote Desktop Gateway, Remote Desktop Connection Broker, Remote Desktop Session Host, or the Remote Desktop Virtualization Host). There are two types of RDS CALs:
• RDS Per Device CALs
An example of where one would use the Per Device model would be in an environment where there are two or more shifts using the same computers to access the RD Session Host(s).
• RDS Per User CALs
The Per User model would be best for environments where users have their own dedicated Windows device to access the RD Session Host(s).

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Best regards

Answer 2

Sounds like you'll need both. Windows CALs are for either user or device server access. RDS CALs are for remote desktop application server access.
Some info here on windows CALS

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license

and RDS CALS here

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license

Better to direct legal licensing questions to a trained microsoft licensing specialist or ask microsoft directly.

https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/Help/Contact.aspx

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Answer 3

Not sure what is meant? The fist link is
License your RDS deployment with client access licenses (CALs)
second link is for volume center

Almost any microsoft reseller has trained licensing specialists,
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/solution-providers/home

--please don't forget to Accept as answer if the reply is helpful--