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Windows Server RDS Licence - Device CAL - What if I need to replace a device?

Bastian Wenske 66 Reputation points
2022-09-09T09:24:48.48+00:00

Hi community,

I'am planning to install a windows server 2022 with the RDS role for providing a application via RDP to various user in a small business.

We need to buy 10 RDS Device-CALs because there are 10 devices used by different users. Currently, we are using Windows 10 on the user devices. In the next months we are planning to replace all the personal client hardware by newer ones and also migrating to Windows 11.

My question is about how to mess with this replacement with the RDS Device CALs? I read about it is possible to revoke up to 20% of the total RDS Device-CAL count but when replacing all the hardware i need to revoke 100% of all Device-CALs to be able to assign the licences to the replaced client hardware.

Thanks!

Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
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Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop
A Microsoft app that connects remotely to computers and to virtual apps and desktops.
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  1. JimmySalian-2011 42,166 Reputation points
    2022-09-09T09:30:32.967+00:00

    Hi @BaWe

    When a Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server is configured to use Per Device licensing mode, and a client computer or device connects to an RD Session Host server for the first time, the client computer or device is issued a temporary license by default. […] If the license server is not activated or does not have any RDS Per Device CALs available, the device continues to use the temporary license. The temporary license is valid for 90 days.

    A permanent RDS Per Device CAL issued by a license server is configured to automatically expire after a random period between 52 and 89 days, at which time the RDS Per Device CAL returns to the pool of available RDS Per Device CALs on the license server.”

    Meaning that after replacing a device, the RDS Device CAL will auto unassigned within 52-89 days. During that period the replacement device will have a temp license in place for 90 days. When the RDS Device CAL is unassigned from the old device, it's added to the pool again and therefore also available for the replacement device.

    Check this link please - rds-client-access-license

    ==
    Please "Accept the answer" if the information helped you. This will help us and others in the community as well.

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