Windows Server 2012 R2 License

Klop Jorkan 36

Hi Guys,

I nee your help a bit related to the question Title - I am about to purchase server 2012 R2 license but I am not sure about User Cals vs Device Cals. In current, I have some users around 25 are joint the domain If I activate the only one User Cals so is that any affected the joining domain. I hope you guys will help me clear about this matter thanks

Accepted answer

Dillon Silzer 57,431 Reputation points

2022-07-21T02:54:07.03+00:00

Below is two illustrations defining the difference between User CALs and Device CALs. I have also provided the link below to the page directly if you would like more information around service licensing (also known as per core licenses).

Hopefully this helps you understand which types of licenses best fit your environment.

Another quote from a similar post (JennyYan-MSFT) found at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/49183/what-are-the-differences-between-cal-of-windows-se.html:

• User CALs allow a single user access to Windows Server from an unlimited number of devices
• Device CALs allow an unlimited number of users to access Windows Server from a single device

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/client-access-license

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Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:00:30.693+00:00

I quite understand about it but all users have joint the domain. There is no matter for them at all and they still can join the domain as normal right?

Dillon Silzer 57,431 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:09:24.517+00:00

To clarify, here is another post answered by learn2skills (https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/328793/do-i-really-need-cal-license-do-active-direcory.html):

Domain Controller is accessed by admins only. There is a default 2 user CAL for each server for management. Yes, you'll need a CAL for each user that connects

Qns -Do i need to purchase CAL for the each user/computer adding to Active directory?
Ans- No; you don't need purchase CAL for each user/computer adding to AD.

Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:29:16.22+00:00

Ok so I wanted to clarify at this point a bit. In my organization has 27 users who are being used for their each laptop and joint a domain within a windows server 2012 R2 which we created a user account for each in AD. So if I am going to purchase the user Cals about 10 license hence, as your explanation this is no any affected to those users who are already being used the AD with server 2012 R2.

Note: I am using Remote Desktop to work on my Server.
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1 additional answer

Alex 76 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:02:53.64+00:00

Hi SopheakSeng,

I am not sure I understand your question but I will try to help as much as I can. From my understanding the CAL is required for each user, or each user's device, that accesses a Windows Server Installation. CAL's can be used as per user/per device or per server (i.e. For each user and each user's devices that access the server). So if you have 1 user that has a laptop and a desktop that both access the server, I would think that would use 2 CALS for that 1 user. Personally I like to have more licenses that cover the amount I currently need but give me room for growth or off cases. If you have 25 users that only have a desktop, then 26 licenses would be the bare minimum I would go with... even then that doesn't leave room for any surprises.

**Hopefully this link will provide some additional clarity: https://sawyersolutionsllc.com/software-licensing-if-you-cant-prove-it-you-dont-own-it-part-2-windows-server/
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Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:07:27.18+00:00

Hi AlejandroSantiago,

Do you mean that I should have at lease 26 or 27 user Cals license right?

Alex 76 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:17:13.083+00:00

That would really depend on your setup. If you have 25 users that have their own devices then it would be the better way. If you have a few devices that the users share, than using the Device CAL's might more sense. Without knowing how things are setup I can only speculate. A user CAL would allow that user to access from an unlimited number of devices. A Device CAL would allow multiple users to use the device.

Alex 76 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:21:42.617+00:00

In buying licenses, you really have to plan for not only users and their devices but also situations like growth and reduction. If you buy 25 licenses and use them as User CALS, what happens when the company hires more people? What happens when a user is terminated/fired/quits? Having a few extra licenses can't hurt in those cases. It might be cheaper to buy 30 licenses now ver sus 25 now and 5-10 later, the smaller number of licenses usually cost more. Just my opinion and 2 cents though.

Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:41:46.943+00:00

I have 27 users who are being used for their each laptop and they joint the domain so this means as your saying is I need 27 user CALs for their each laptop for access their AD account if I am wrong please correct me thanks

Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T03:50:24.347+00:00

If that though It is a lot of cost to have user CALs

Alex 76 Reputation points

2022-07-21T04:03:58.027+00:00

You are correct, the licenses are not cheap and cost a lot.

Alex 76 Reputation points

2022-07-21T04:08:41.37+00:00

If these are new users, that don't already have CAL's, which allow them to login already, then yes. In your case, it sounds like you have 27 users who each have a laptop that they use to sign in to use Server Services. These 27 users are in Active Directory already, but they still need to login and be able to work on their laptops. In your case, it sounds like you need to buy the number of CAL's that will cover the number of users. These users will be able to sign into an unlimited number of devices if you do the licensing per user/per device. This would be good if your company plans to have each of these users assigned a desktop in the future.

Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T04:11:50.763+00:00

thanks for your help today AlejandroSantiago. Have a good day

Alex 76 Reputation points

2022-07-21T04:27:49.497+00:00

No problem at all, I hope it helps out. Have a great day as well.

Klop Jorkan 36 Reputation points

2022-07-21T04:52:13.623+00:00

Can you clarify me a bit more about it please? right here all 27 users are able to access to use server services but they dont have its user CALs yet. so if I am going to purchase only 2 user CALs for activating the windows server 2012 R2 only whether all 27 users still access to server services or not?

I am quite confusing now

thanks
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Windows Server 2012 R2 License

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