techcok
asked on
How do i reassing TS user CAL
I recently install terminal server services and terminal server licensing on a windows 2003 member server on domain running active directory. I purchased 2 sets of 5 - user TS CAL and installed as device type. Under terminal server licensing on the terminal server, there are 2 instances of Windows 2003 - terminal server per device CAL Token; one with 5 total, 5 available and 0 used and the other with 5 total, 2available and 3 used. Here is my problem, for each used CAL, there is an assigned date range and is my understanding when that date range expired, the next time that client contact the terminal server, the server will contact the licensing server and it will reassigned a user CAL giving the client access to terminal server. That did not happen so rebooted the terminal server and it renewed the CAL for the client in question. Can you shed some light on this issue? This is my first terminal server and there is lot of information online, but I couldnt find anything that addresses my problem directly.
jhyiesla
I don't know if MS has changed this licensing policy yet or not, but it used to be that (even with 2003) once "used" it's not possible to reassign a TS license to someone else. I was using them as User CALs a long time ago and ran out and I checked and could see where they were still assigned to users who were no longer at my company I ended up talking to MS tech support and they confirmed that you couldn't reuse them. I had to deinstall them all, have MS give me a new "key" and then reinstall with that key.
Why did you buy user CAL's and install them as device cals?
Sounds like you have installed somehow them as 5 user CALs and 5 Device CALs.
Device CAL's are tracked and will be released if not used for x days (I believe 60 but not sure). User CALs are not tracked and will always show as available. This may explain your results.
Sounds like you have installed somehow them as 5 user CALs and 5 Device CALs.
Device CAL's are tracked and will be released if not used for x days (I believe 60 but not sure). User CALs are not tracked and will always show as available. This may explain your results.
Confirmation of the user CAL issue: "Per User CALs are not monitored by Terminal Server. This means that even though there is a Per User CAL in the license server database, the Per User CAL is not decremented when it is used. Additionally, if you use the Per User licensing mode, when a client logs on to a terminal server for the second time, the temporary license is not upgraded to a permanent CAL."
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/b636ddce-9f85-44a5-9c25-a9e827a9ac241033.mspx?mfr=true
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/b636ddce-9f85-44a5-9c25-a9e827a9ac241033.mspx?mfr=true
ASKER
ok guess i wasn't very clear with my earlier comments, both sets of 5 CAL term licenses was installed as per device type. The issue I had intially when the temporary licenses expired is that permanent license was not issued to the clients. I rebooted the TS server and permanent license was assigned with random expiration days which i understand is by design. Now, on the terminal Licensing server i can see the how many license issued and how many are available. Here is my concern, how can i be sure if the terminal server will issue a new expiration period once the current ones expires? According to MS the terminal server attempts to renew CALs seven days before the expiration date. Is there a way to check the recovery process.
Terminal server licensing usually works quite well, and the only way to really monitor the licensing process is within the TS licensing manager. Assuming it issued some licenses correctly for the device CAL's, everything is likely set up correctly, and the renewing process should be seamless. User CAL's cannot be monitored.
You can force a client to get a new license by deleting the following registry key if you want to test:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Softwar
However, it seems to me the old license will not be released for about 60 days so I don't recommend that unless you have a lot of spare licenses.
You can force a client to get a new license by deleting the following registry key if you want to test:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Softwar
However, it seems to me the old license will not be released for about 60 days so I don't recommend that unless you have a lot of spare licenses.
ASKER
Thanks! here is a follow up question, i have notice in Terminal Service Configuration\ server setting, the current License Server discovery method is set to Automatic, and the server listed, in the Domain/workgroup role is a Windows 2000 member server runing terminal server, not the server containing the CALs. The licensing server (windows 2003) with the CALs is listed under the Enterprise role. Is this an issue?
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ASKER
no, but when i access Terminal Server licensing the windows 2000 server is listed along with the Windows 2003 licensing server. I went ahead and use the manual option selecting the proper Terminal licensing server. Thanks for your help.
You are very welcome.
Cheers !
--Rob
Cheers !
--Rob