Streaming Windows: license issues under SPLA

Question

Hello, I'm new to SPLA management, our customer would like to connect to our virtual infrastructure where it should be installed a windows client with embedded: chrome, edge, office (word excel), visual studio code, sql server mgm.

It will be used only from 2 people while the business unit is composed of ~20 people.

My question is:

* which is the correct method to permit only 2 people connecting without violating the license

* what are the license involved (RDS SAL, Office SAL) what is the windows version I have to deploy to use with Terminal Server?

I'm completely confused on how to manage this deploy.

Answer 1

Hi Diego Ercolani

1.Under the SPLA license agreement, you purchase a Remote Desktop Services Subscriber Access License (RDS SAL) for each user or device connected to the terminal server. In addition, if you plan to install Microsoft Office on a terminal server, you will also need to purchase the Office Subscriber Access License (Office SAL) for each user or device that connects to the terminal server. If you only want to allow two people to connect to the terminal server without violating the license, you can use administrator session mode, which does not require RDS SAL. However, this model can only be used for administrative purposes, not to provide software services or applications to customers. Also, if you install Office LTSC 2021 in administrator session mode, you still need to purchase Office LTSC 2021 SALs per user, and only two users can use Office at the same time. You can install the Remote Desktop Services role on Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2016 to provide Terminal Server functionality. Note that if you use Windows Server 2019 Standard, you can allow up to 2 simultaneous users or devices. If you need more connectivity, you'll need to upgrade to Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Edition or purchase additional RDS SAL.

2.To deploy Terminal Server, you need to use the Windows Server operating system and enable the RDS role in Server Manager. You can use Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, or Windows Server 2012 R2 to deploy Terminal Server. You also need to configure a licensing server to store and manage RDS SALs and Office LTSC 2021 SAL.

For more information, please refer to Licensing Options: Service Providers | Microsoft Volume Licensing

Hope it helps.

Kind regards,

Lei

Answer 2

Thank you very much for your reply:

So, if I'm right:

1 to limit number of connection to Office and/or Terminal Server It's needed another server "licensing server" to store and manage RDS SALs and Office SALs

Windows 2019 server can manage only 2 simultaneous connection, if you need more you need Windows Server Datacenter Edition

For now I don't want to implement Office LTSC

Another question: It's possible (and how from the license point of view) to stream applications from a virtualized desktop (Windows 10 or Windows 11) ? If yes, which parameters have to be considered?

Thank you very much to help me understand the SPLA philosophy

Answer 3

1 Yes.

2 It is possible to stream applications from a virtualized desktop (Windows 10 or Windows 11). This often involves using a service like Azure Virtual Desktop. When it comes to licensing, there are a few key considerations:

1. Internal and external users: When using Azure Virtual Desktop to provide virtual infrastructure, an "internal user" is a member of your own organization, such as an employee of a business or a student at a school. An "external user" is someone who is not a member of an organization, such as a customer of an enterprise.
2. License Entitlements: If you have an eligible Windows, Microsoft 365, or Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL), there is no additional cost.
3. Per-user access pricing: Microsoft has introduced a new option for per-user monthly pricing, which only allows external users to access Azure Virtual Desktop.
4. Application Licensing: If you choose a per-user license, you'll need to license other products and services separately to grant users access to them in your Azure Virtual Desktop environment.

Please note that any software that uses unattended robots for automation may require additional licensing. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with professional legal counsel or contact the software vendor directly when implementing such solutions to ensure compliance.

Answer 4

Dear Lei Tao

To continue with some questions related to VDI. As part of a data center provider company, I need to know what Windows licenses are required to deploy Citrix Cloud Onpremises.

Under the SPLA contract, we license each VM with Win. Server per core pack, so ..... as far as OS licenses for each virtual desktop, do I have everything included for windows server and only need to pay for Win10/11 experience? What license does that cover?

Regards
Ivan

Answer 5

Hi Ivan Mazza,

please repost your question in a new thread, thanks.