Choosing the Right RDS CALs 2012 R2 License for Your Business Needs

Licensing for the Windows Server operating system is designed specifically to operate the OS on your physical server hardware. These licenses do not inherently allow any user or device to connect to the server.

To enable access to the server and utilize specific services, distinct licenses must be acquired.

A User-CAL permits an individual to access the server from any number of devices since the license is assigned to the user, not the hardware. Conversely, a Device-CAL allows a single device access to the server, irrespective of how many users utilize it.

Finding the Best Fit for Your Enterprise

The choice between User-CALs and Device-CALs depends largely on your company's ratio of employees to devices, as well as the nature of your working environment—whether employees connect remotely or from the same location.

For instance:

• If your employee count is less than the number of devices, a User-CAL would be suitable, especially if your operations require access from various devices.
• If the number of devices is less than your workforce, a Device-CAL might be more appropriate, particularly if employees are generally located in the same facility but work different shifts, sharing devices.

User Licenses for RDS CALs

For many organizations, the RDS CALs per user option proves more economical, especially for employees who access the server from multiple devices throughout the week. For example, an employee who uses a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone could be covered by a single User-CAL, whereas a per-device license would necessitate separate CALs for each piece of equipment.

Device Licenses for RDS CALs

Under the per-device model, a temporary license is initially granted when a device first connects to the Remote Desktop Session Host. On subsequent connections, provided the licensing server is activated and has RDS CALs available, a permanent RDS Device-CAL is issued.

This model is optimal for businesses with many employees sharing a few computers, like a kiosk staffed by part-time workers or a maintenance crew sharing a computer to manage their work logs, or businesses operating around the clock with rotating shifts using the same computers.