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Migrate your Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs)

  • Article

You have three options to migrate your RDS CALs:

  • Automatic connection method: This recommended method communicates via internet directly to the Microsoft Clearinghouse outbound over TCP port 443.

  • Using a web browser: This method allows migration when the server running the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool does not have internet connectivity, but the administrator has internet connectivity on a separate device. The URL for the Web migration method is displayed in the Manage RDS CALs Wizard.

  • Using a telephone: This method allows the administrator to complete the migration process over the phone with a Microsoft representative. The appropriate telephone number is determined by the country/region that you chose in the Activate Server Wizard and is displayed in the Manage RDS CALs Wizard.

In this article, the establish RDS CAL migration method highlights the general steps common across any RDS CAL migration method, while migrate RDS CALs highlights the steps specific to each migration method.

Regardless of migration method, you must, at a minimum, be a member of the local Administrators group to perform the migration steps.

Before migration ensure that the destination license server is activated. Follow these steps to activate the Remote Desktop Services license server.

Establish RDS CAL migration method

  1. On the destination license server, open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. (Alternatively, the licensing manager can be launched with the following steps: Select Start > Administrative Tools. Enter the Remote Desktop Services directory, and launch Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.)

  2. Verify the connection method for the Remote Desktop license server: right-click the license server to which you want to migrate the RDS CALs, and then select Properties. On the Connection Method tab, verify the Connection method - you can change it in the dropdown menu. Select OK.

  3. Right-click the license server to which you want to migrate the RDS CALs, and then select Manage Licenses.

  4. Follow the steps in the wizard to the Action Selection page. Select Migrate RDS CALs from another license server to this license server.

  5. Choose the reason for migrating the RDS CALs, and then select Next. You have the following choices:

    • The source license server is being replaced by this license server.
    • The source license server is no longer functioning.

  6. The next page in the wizard depends on the migration reason that you chose.

    • If you chose The source license server is being replaced by this license server as the reason for migrating the RDS CALs, the Source License Server Information page is displayed.

      On the Source License Server Information page, enter the name or IP address of the source license server.

      If the source license server is available on the network, select Next. The wizard contacts the source license server and has an option to Obtain Client License Key Pack.

      If the source license server isn't available on the network, select The specified source license server isn't available on the network. Specify the operating system that the source license server is running, and then provide the license server ID for the source license server. After you select Next, you're reminded that you must remove the RDS CALs manually from the source license server after the wizard has completed. After you confirm that you understand this requirement, the Obtain Client License Key Pack page appears.

    • If you chose The source license server is no longer functioning as the reason for migrating the RDS CALs, you're reminded that you must remove the RDS CALs manually from the source license server after the wizard has completed. After you confirm that you understand this requirement, the Obtain Client License Key Pack page appears.

The next step is to migrate the CALs - use the information in the following to complete the wizard. What you see in the wizard depends on the connection method you identified in Step 2 of this section.

Migrate RDS CALs

There are three ways to migrate licenses to the destination license server; follow the steps corresponding to the Connection method verified in Step 2 in the previous section:

Automatic connection method

  1. On the License Program page, select the appropriate program through which you purchased your RDS CALs, then select Next.

  2. Enter the required information (typically a license code or an agreement number, depending on the License program), and then select Next. Consult the documentation provided when you purchased your RDS CALs.

  3. Select the appropriate product version, license type, and quantity of RDS CALs for your environment based on your RDS CAL purchase agreement, and then select Next.

  4. The Microsoft Clearinghouse is automatically contacted and processes your request. The RDS CALs are then migrated onto the license server.

  5. Select Finish to complete the RDS CAL migration process.

Using a web browser

  1. On the Obtain Client License Key Pack page, select the hyperlink to connect to the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Web site. If you're running Remote Desktop Licensing Manager on a computer that doesn't have internet connectivity, note the address for the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Web site, and then connect to the Web site from a computer that has internet connectivity.

  2. On the Remote Desktop Services Licensing Web page, under Select Option, select Manage CALs, and then select Next.

  3. Provide the following required information, then select Next:

    • Target License Server ID: A 35-digit number, in groups of 5 numerals, which is displayed on the Obtain Client License Key Pack page in the Manage RDS CALs Wizard.
    • Reason for recovery: Choose the reason for migrating the RDS CALs.
    • License Program: Choose the program through which you purchased your RDS CALs.

  4. Provide the following required information, then select Next:

    • Last name or surname

    • First name or given name

    • Company name

    • Country/region

      You can also provide the optional information requested, such as company address, e-mail address, and phone number. In the organizational unit field, you can describe the unit within your organization that this license server serves.

  5. The License Program that you selected on the previous page determines what information you need to provide on the next page. In most cases, you must provide either a license code or an agreement number. Consult the documentation provided when you purchased your RDS CALs. In addition, you need to specify which type of RDS CAL and the quantity that you want to migrate to the license server.

  6. After you enter the required information, select Next.

  7. Verify that all of the information that you entered is correct, then select Next to submit your request to the Microsoft Clearinghouse. The web page then displays a license key pack ID generated by the Microsoft Clearinghouse.

    Important

    Keep a copy of the license key pack ID. Having this information with you facilitates communications with the Microsoft Clearinghouse, should you need assistance with recovering RDS CALs.

  8. On the same Obtain Client License Key Pack page, enter the license key pack ID, and then select Next to migrate the RDS CALs to your license server.

  9. Select Finish to complete the RDS CAL migration process.

Using a telephone

  1. On the Obtain Client License Key Pack page, use the displayed telephone number to call the Microsoft Clearinghouse. Give the representative your Remote Desktop license server ID and the required information for the licensing program through which you purchased your RDS CALs. The representative then processes your request to migrate the RDS CALs, and gives you a unique ID for the RDS CALs. This unique ID is referred to as the license key pack ID.

    Important

    Keep a copy of the license key pack ID. Having this information with you facilitates communications with the Microsoft Clearinghouse should you need assistance with recovering RDS CALs.

  2. On the same Obtain Client License Key Pack page, enter the license key pack ID, and then select Next to migrate the RDS CALs to your license server.

  3. Select Finish to complete the RDS CAL migration process.