RDS CALS are required for users or devices that want to utilize Remote Desktop Service functionality on Windows Server. There is a third type of CAL that we must talk about, Remote Desktop Service (RDS) CALs. Device CALs allow an unlimited number of users to access Windows Server from a single deviceĭoes the organization have roaming employees who need to access the corporate network from several devices? In this case, User CALs make the most economical and administrative sense.ĭoes the organization have multiple users for one device, such as shift workers using a kiosk-style workstation? In this case, Device CALs make the most economical and administrative sense.User CALs allow a single user access to Windows Server from an unlimited number of devices.HPE offers several different types of Windows Server CALs. This model therefore offers license affordability to organizations of all sizes. This two-component license models provides a low entry price and a way to pay for capacity used: the more devices or users accessing the server software, the greater the license fees or price. If your customers are wanting to run Windows Server 2016 on their new HPE Gen10 server, they would acquire a Windows Server 2016 OS license in order to run the Windows Server software on the physical server AND they would need to acquire CALs for the Users or Devices who will access the server. CALs are used in conjunction with Microsoft Windows Server OS licenses to allow Users and/or Devices to access and utilize the services of that server OS. Microsoft Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs)Ī Windows Server CAL is a license that allows customers to access Windows Server. However, the Windows Server OS license does not give them the legal right for users or devices to connect to the server… that is where CALs come in! When a customer purchases a Windows Server OS license (Windows Server 2016 Datacenter edition for example), they receive a license that allows them to install the operating system onto the server. Microsoft Windows Server Operating System (OS) Licenses Want to learn more about Core-Based Licensing? We’ve got the perfect video and blog for you! Check it out: Windows Server 2016 Core Based Licensing Explained For Windows Server 2016 Essentials edition, CALs are not required. It is important to note that CALs are only required for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions. Although the licensing model has changed, one thing has stayed consistent… the need for CALs! This new model is based on the cores in the server, (where as previous Windows Server licensing models were based on processors). Starting with Windows Server 2016 Standard edition and Datacenter edition, Microsoft introduced a new licensing model. HPE Blog, Austria, Germany & Switzerlandįirst, let’s start with some basic Windows Server licensing information, we’ll call it 'Windows Server licensing 101'.

Windows rds user cal