Which RDS CALs 2016 license is best for me?

The Windows Server operating system license allows the OS to run on the license holder's physical server. However, it doesn't grant legal access for users or devices to connect to it.

To access the server and use specific services, users or devices must obtain separate licenses.

A User-CAL provides a license for you to access the server. You can connect from as many endpoints as you want since the CAL is tied to you, not the device. A Device-CAL permits the device to access the server. Users of this device don't need a User-CAL.

Which one fits my business?

It depends on whether you have more employees or devices, and on your work environment, whether employees need to connect from different locations or from the same place.

For example:

• If you have fewer employees than devices, opt for User-CAL, or if your workspace requires connection to the server from various devices, this is the best choice.
• If you have fewer devices than users, opt for Device-CAL, or if your employees work from the same location but on different shifts, sharing the same device, this is the best choice.

User RDS CALs License

With the User RDS CALs license, licensing isn't enforced, and a license is granted for each user to connect to a Remote Desktop Session Host from any number of devices. The license server issues licenses from the available or overused RDS CAL pool. You must ensure all users have valid licenses and no overused CALs. Otherwise, you violate the Remote Desktop Services license terms.

For most businesses, the User RDS CALs license is the most cost-effective, as employees usually access servers from various devices. Consider an employee accessing their email on their desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile during a typical week. One User RDS CAL license covers that employee, whereas, on a per-device basis, you would need to buy 4 Device RDS CAL licenses for the four devices to access the server.

Device RDS CALs License

With the per-device model, a temporary license is issued the first time a device connects to the Remote Desktop Session Host. The second time the device connects, as long as the license server is activated and there are RDS CALs available, the license server issues a permanent Device RDS CAL.

The Device RDS CALs license is ideal when many employees use a limited number of computers. Examples include: a kiosk in a shopping centre with part-time employees, a maintenance team using a shared PC to clock in or out, or a business operating 24/7 with day and night shifts sharing the same PCs.