RDS CALs in Azure

Question

I am running a W10 virtual desktop and want to RDP to virtual Server 2019 machines in Azure.

1. Is RDS CAL licensing any different for Azure?
2. Are the CALs any different for a virtual desktop rather than a physical?

Answer 1

Hi,

1.In general, when remotely connecting to the Azure VM, a maximum of two concurrent connections are supported.
If you need more than 2 concurrent remote sessions, then RD session Host role is needed as well as RDS CAL.

How can I access my virtual machine?
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/faq#how-can-i-access-my-virtual-machine-

2.As for RDS CAL in Azure deployment, following similar threads provided some details:
Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement
To have Access to RDS sessions on the Windows Server as an Azure VM, you need RDS SALs (Subscriber Access Licenses) through a Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) reseller per user.

VL contract with active Software Assurance(SA)
RDS CALs in VL contract with active Software Assurance(SA) you are entitled to RDS CAL Extended Rights, which allow use of their RDS User CAL with Software Assurance against a Windows Server running on Azure or other service providers’ shared server environments. This RDS User CAL Software Assurance benefit allows each User to access RDS functionality only on one shared server environment (i.e. Azure or a third party server) in addition to access the respective on premise servers.

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/9332f5d7-2927-4723-bcc9-d124dd7750eb/azure-rds-licenses?forum=windowsazurepurchasing

https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/bafd10cc-2352-4b27-a1c1-38d5f25d9456/rds-device-cal-licensing-on-azure-windows-server-2016?forum=winserverTS

Can customers use Remote Desktop Services CALs that they own as part of their volume licensing agreement to access Windows Server instances running on Azure or other service provider environments?
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/licensing-faq/

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Thanks,
Jenny

Answer 2

The information is good thank you.

I have one more question for you.

If the desktop is virtual and the server is virtual, how does a device based CAL record 'the device'?

Answer 3

Hi,

From RDS CAL perspective, the issued Per Device CAL will be stored on client(windows Operating System)
Registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSLicensing\Store

But my testing VM is not in Azure environment and was unable to double check for you.

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If the Answer is helpful, please click Accept Answer and upvote it.

Thanks,
Jenny