RDS: Mix multiple license programs on one License Server / one RDS deployment

Question

Hi alltogether,

I have a customer with a Server 2012 R2 RDS deployment. They are using RDS 2012 CALs within the Open license program.
They just started using an Enteprise Agreement for any new needed Microsoft license.
Following the problem: Before migrating to RDS 2019 they need more RDS CALs for their current deployment. Is ist possible to add some CALs from the Enterprise Agreement to the same RDS license server where the Open License CALs are already added?

Thank´s for any input.

Dennis

Answer 1

Hi,

Yes, it works. RDS 2019 CALs can support 2012 environment, but the correct number of Available and Issued 2019 CAL in the licensing report will not be displayed. The number of the 2019 CALs will not be reduced if they are issued for 2012 environment. So, in order not to violate the End User License Agreement (EULA), you may need to calculate the number by yourself to ensure that there are enough CALs for users.

Another way that could meet your requirement is that you could first downgrade your 2019 CALs and then install them on the 2012 licensing server. But it can only works if all the CALs are used to support 2012 environment and no 2019 environment.

Thanks,
Eleven

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Answer 2

Hi,

It depends on the version of your RDS licensing server and CALs from the Enterprise Agreement (2019 or 2012).

If your licensing server is 2012 and your new EA CAL is 2019, you could not install the 2019 CALs in the 2012 server. But you can first downgrade the 2019 CALs to 2012 then install them.

If your licensing server is 2019 and new EA CAL is 2012, then you could directly install 2012 CAL in 2019 server.

Please refer to below for the relationship of RDS CAL and license server versions.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-nz/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license#rds-cal-version-compatibility

For CAL downgrade, you can contact RDS CAL vendor or Microsoft Licensing Activation Centers.

Microsoft Licensing Activation Centers worldwide telephone numbers
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers

Thanks,
Eleven

Answer 3

Hi Eleven,

thank you for your answer and sorry for my late reply.
Just to clarify, does the following works:

• Install new RDS 2019 License server for the RDS 2012 environment
• Install old Open License 2012 RDS CALS
• Install new EA 2019 RDS CALs
• Use both types of CALs for the same RDS 2012 environment

Thanks,

Dennis

Answer 4

Hi @Mueller, Dennis

on our RDS licensing manager server we have multiple existing OPEN licenses pack (see attached)

We bought new license and our new provider ask now to change to license program "License pack (retail purchase)"

can we mix the different license program ...? just to know if the server will not switch to a mode "License pack (retail purchase)" so our existing "OPEN" license will not be recognized (wich can be a problem :))

thanks