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Step 3: Installing Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs) on the Remote Desktop License Server

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Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1

In this step, you will install Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs), or VDI Suite licenses on the Remote Desktop license server.

Important

You must have a valid license agreement to install licenses. Do not install licenses if you do not have a valid license agreement. The license server will issue a temporary license that is valid for 90 days.

The automatic installation method requires Internet connectivity from the computer running the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool. Internet connectivity is not required from the license server itself.

Warning

If you are installing licenses for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environment on an existing RD Licensing server, see Appendix A: Rebuild the RD Licensing Database.

To install Remote Desktop Services client access licenses automatically

  1. On the license server, open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. To open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, point to Remote Desktop Services, and then click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

  2. Right-click the license server RDL-SRV, and then click Install Licenses.

  3. In the Install Licenses Wizard, on the Welcome to the Install Licenses Wizard page, click Next.

  4. On the License Program page, select the appropriate program through which you purchased your RDS CALs, and then click Next.

Important

If you are installing licenses for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environment, select Select License for License program.

  1. The License Program that you selected on the previous page in the wizard determines what information you need to provide on this page. In most cases, you must provide either a license code or an agreement number. Consult the documentation provided when you purchased your licenses.

Important

If you are installing licenses for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environment, enter your enterprise Volume Agreement number for the Agreement number.

  1. After you enter the required information, click Next.

  2. On the Product Version and License Type page, select the appropriate product version, license type, and quantity of licenses for your environment based on your license purchase agreement, and then click Next.

Important

If you are installing licenses for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environment, select Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2008 R2 for the Product version, and then select VDI Premium Suite Per Device subscription license, or VDI Standard Suite Per Device subscription license for the License type. Select the quantity of licenses for your environment based on your license purchase agreement. 

The Microsoft Clearinghouse is automatically contacted and processes your request. The RDS CALs are then automatically installed onto the license server.
  1. To complete the process, click Finish. The license server can now issue RDS CALs to clients that connect to an RD Session Host server.

You have installed Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs), or VDI Suite licenses on the Remote Desktop license server. Now you can proceed to Step 4: Configuring the RD Session Host Server to Support RD Licensing.

Important

If you are installing licenses for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure environment, skip Step 4: Configuring the RD Session Host Server to Support RD Licensing and proceed to Step 5: Configuring the RD Connection Broker Server to Support RD Licensing.