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How to Set Up and Activate RDS CALs for Windows Server 2008 R2

Set up the Remote Desktop Licensing role service and Remote Desktop Session Host by following these steps:

Setting up the Remote Desktop Licensing role.

  1. Open Server Manager by clicking the icon in the taskbar.
  2. In the top left corner, select Roles and then click Add roles.
  3. Click Next in the Add Roles Wizard.
  4. On the Select Server Roles page, check Remote Desktop Services and click Next.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Tick the boxes for Remote Desktop Licensing and Remote Desktop Session Host and click Next.
  7. Click Next to install the Remote Desktop Session Host.
  8. Select Do not require Network Level Authentication and click Next.
  9. Select the type of RDS CALs license you will configure (per user or per device), then click Next.
    10. Note: In this guide, we will choose the Per device option.
  10. Enter the users who will connect to the server and click Next.
  11. Select the options you want to enable for users and click Next.
  12. Click Next.
  13. Click on Install.
  14. Wait for the role to be configured. Once completed, click Close and then Yes to restart the Server to finish the installation.
  15. After installing the roles, activate the Remote Desktop Licensing server by clicking Server Manager pinned to the taskbar.
  16. Click on the + sign to the left of Roles (top left corner) and select Remote Desktop Services.
  17. Scroll down and click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager under the Advanced Tools tab.
  18. Right-click on the server and select Activate Server.
  19. The server activation wizard will start. Click Next.
  20. Click Next.
  21. Enter the company name and region, then click Next.
  22. Enter the company information and click Next.
  23. The server activation wizard is complete. Click Next.
  24. You will be reminded of your server's configuration. Click Next.
  25. Select Pack. lic. (Box or prod. pack) in the License Program and click Next.
  26. Enter your RDS CALs product key and click Add.
  27. Once the license is recognised, click Next.
  28. The License Installation Wizard will confirm successful installation. Click Finish.
  29. Your licensing server is now ready to issue and manage licenses. You can verify this by checking the server name, where it should show zero issued licenses initially.

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