Which RDS CALs 2022 license is right for me?

The Windows Server operating system licenses are solely for running the OS on the license holder's physical server. They do not provide legal rights for users or devices to connect to it.

To access the server and utilize specific services, separate licenses are required for users or devices.

A User-CAL license allows you to access the server. It is associated with you, enabling access from multiple endpoints. A Device-CAL license is for the device to access the server, meaning anyone using that device doesn't need a User-CAL.

Which one fits my business?

It depends on whether you have more employees or devices, and your work environment, such as whether employees need remote access or work from the same location.

Consider these scenarios:

• If you have fewer employees than devices, opt for User-CAL, especially if your employees need to connect from multiple devices.
• If you have more employees than devices, choose Device-CAL. This is ideal if multiple employees use the same device at different times.

User RDS CALs License

With the User RDS CALs license, each user is granted a license to connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host from multiple devices. Licenses are issued from the available RDS CAL pool or the RDS CAL overused pool. It is your responsibility to ensure that all users have a valid license to avoid violating the Remote Desktop Services licensing terms.

For most businesses, the User RDS CALs license is the most cost-effective, as employees typically access servers from various devices. For instance, an employee accessing email on a desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile only needs one User RDS CALs license, while Device RDS CALs would require four licenses for four devices.

Device RDS CALs License

In the device model, a temporary license is issued upon the first connection of a device to the Remote Desktop Session Host. A permanent RDS Device-CAL is issued upon the second connection, provided the licensing server is activated and RDS CALs are available.

The Device RDS CALs License is ideal when numerous employees use a limited number of computers. Examples include a shopping center kiosk with part-time employees, a maintenance team using a shared PC, or a company operating 24/7 with different shifts using the same PCs.