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I am confused whether I need RDS CALs for Win Server 2022

Anonymous
2024-01-18T14:05:10+00:00

I have been running an evaluation copy of Win Server 2022 Standard. Today I decided to proceed to purchase a license. I bought a Win Server 2022 Standard license with 5 CALS from here (https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/d/windows-server-2022-standard-cal/dg7gmgf0d6m5). However, when I try to add my license key into the license manager it says that it is wrong. Clients are unable to connect remotely and they get this error: "The remote session was disconnected because there are no Remote Desktop License Servers available to provide a license."

After doing some reading, I am totally confused about CALs. I thought the product I purchased was enough because it came with 5 CALs but there was only 1 product key which I have used to activate the server. There were no separate product keys for the 5 CALs.

Also, I am confused whether there is another type of CAL (RDS CALs) I need to buy in addition to the standard CALs. Can anyone clarify whether I also need RDS CALs (https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/d/windows-server-remote-desktop-services-cal/dg7gmgf0d7hx?activetab=pivot%3aoverviewtab) for users to log in remotely to the server?

Microsoft does a poor job of explaining these things.

Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.

Windows for business | Windows Server | User experience | Licensing for Azure Virtual Desktop

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-07-16T01:08:29+00:00

    Hi Dito and Simon,

    Just to clear this up and answer your actual question (as most of the tech's replying have literally no working knowledge on these forums). With Windows 2019 and higher (including Win 2022) you must have active directory to be able to license per user.

    So the choices are (assuming the server is standalone - cant be added to an existing active directory):

    1. Install session host and licensing and license per device in the RDP Licensing Tool.
    2. Install active directory and promote to a DC. Install remote desktop services and everything that goes with it except the gateway as you won't need it. Then you can license per user in the RDP Licensing Tool.

    I hope this helps clear it up.
    Will

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-02-08T06:25:42+00:00

    hi dito gab，

    With a Per-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.

    For example if six users use two devices to connect to the server，you need two Per-Device CAL. If six users use six devices ，you need six Per-Device CAL.

    The number of Per-Device CALs you need depends on the number of client devices you are connecting to remotely.

    Win Server 2022 Standard CALs and RDS CALs are different things.

    Best Regards,

    Haijian Shan

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-02-05T19:57:00+00:00

    Did the previous answer help you? Did you resolve?

    I am also a bit confused.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-02-05T19:54:10+00:00

    I am confused as well:

    This is what I am trying to buy and install - Per Device, because I am one server.

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/windows-remote-desktop-server-cal-2022/dg7gmgf0d7hx
    I     have 1 RDS server and I need 6 users to connect. It's not in AD, it's just a workgroup.

    From what I understand, Per-User requires AD, so I can only do Per-Device.

    This is what I am reading, does this mean if I want 6 users to connect to the server online, I need to:

    1. buy 6 Per-Device licenses
    2. Install these on their laptops at home or office, anywhere they decide to connect from?

    "Device CAL

    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."*

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-01-19T08:24:51+00:00

    Hello   SimonTokyo，

    Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

    Windows Server 2022 Standard comes with 5 CALs, which means you do not need to purchase any additional CALs for users to access the server. However, if you want to use Remote Desktop Services (RDS) on the server, you will need to purchase RDS CALs in addition to the standard CALs. RDS CALs are required for each user or device that connects to an RDS session host.

    Regarding the error message you are receiving, it seems like the Remote Desktop Licensing service is not configured correctly on your server. You can try the following steps to resolve the issue:

    1. Open the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager on your server.
    2. Right-click the server name and select Properties.
    3. Under the Connection Method tab, select Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers and enter the name of your license server.
    4. Click OK to save the changes.

    If you do not have a license server set up, you can install the Remote Desktop Licensing role on another server and configure it to manage your RDS CALs.

    I hope the information above is helpful.

    If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

    Best Regards,

    Haijian Shan

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