2008 Terminal Service Licensing with 2003
Short Question: How can I stop the 2008 TS License server from answering 2003/XP CAL requests?
Explaination:
It has come to my attention, by Microsoft, that 2003 TS Licenses cannot grant 2008 Servers a CAL. So, I have to spin up a 2008 TS License server to answer the 2008 Server requests. Also, 2008 CALs can be used for 2003/XP requests, BUT one cannot transfer 2003/XP Licenses to the 2008 Server, you have to repurchase 2008 CALs. We don't want to do that.
So, I have two TS Licensing Servers, one 2003 (with lots of CALs) and one 2008 (I just activated but have not loaded any CALs). I want the 2008 to only answer 2008 requests and all other requests go to the 2003 TS License server. However, I have some XP machines checking into my 2008 server and checking out Temporary CALs even though I have free licenses on my 2003 Server. But when I do, 2008 CALs work with 2003/XP and therefore would be granted to the XP machines. I want the XP machines to request from the 2003 server. How can I stop the 2008 TS License server from answering 2003/XP CAL requests?
Explaination:
It has come to my attention, by Microsoft, that 2003 TS Licenses cannot grant 2008 Servers a CAL. So, I have to spin up a 2008 TS License server to answer the 2008 Server requests. Also, 2008 CALs can be used for 2003/XP requests, BUT one cannot transfer 2003/XP Licenses to the 2008 Server, you have to repurchase 2008 CALs. We don't want to do that.
So, I have two TS Licensing Servers, one 2003 (with lots of CALs) and one 2008 (I just activated but have not loaded any CALs). I want the 2008 to only answer 2008 requests and all other requests go to the 2003 TS License server. However, I have some XP machines checking into my 2008 server and checking out Temporary CALs even though I have free licenses on my 2003 Server. But when I do, 2008 CALs work with 2003/XP and therefore would be granted to the XP machines. I want the XP machines to request from the 2003 server. How can I stop the 2008 TS License server from answering 2003/XP CAL requests?
ASKER
I have over 1800 workstations checking out CALs. I need those workstations to check out their CAL from the TS License server running W2k3. Right now I have 8 workstations checking out temporary CALs from my TS License Server running W2k8. My question is how do I prevent my TS License Server running W2k8 from giving temporary licenses to the workstations when my TS License Server running W2k3 has valid CALs to give? Or is this not possible? I do not plan on getting rid of my TS licensing server running W2k3 anytime soon, we are not ready to repurchase 2000+ of the 2008 CALs.
This may not be what you want to hear, but again: clients accessing terminal servers running Windows Server 2008 will need Windows Server 2008 TS CALs (and Windows Server 2008 CALs as well!), full stop. There is absolutely no way around it.
The only way you can make use of your Windows Server 2003 TS CALs is by letting your clients connect to terminal servers running Windows Server 2003.
The only way you can make use of your Windows Server 2003 TS CALs is by letting your clients connect to terminal servers running Windows Server 2003.
ASKER
Sorry, I think I need to clarify. I am not an expert on TS. I do not have any 2008 Terminal Servers yet. Meaning, the workstations checking out temporary CALs from my 2008 TS License Server is confusing me since they are not trying to connect to a 2008 Terminal Server. I only have 2003 Terminal Servers right now and would like them to check out one of the many open CALs on my TS License server running W2k3 or am I worrying about nothing.
If you don't have a terminal server running W2k8, then you don't need a Server 2008 TS license server. Administrative connections to servers running in RDP mode instead of Application mode don't require a TS CAL. They're probably both running on DCs, I guess?
Since you already have one installed and obviously working, you might as well go ahead, get out your W2k3 "paper" TS CALs, call the Microsoft Clearinghouse and have them re-issue your W2k3 CALs for the new license server, then deactivate and uninstall the old TS license service; the W2k8 TS LS can identify and handle down-level TS CALs.
Since you already have one installed and obviously working, you might as well go ahead, get out your W2k3 "paper" TS CALs, call the Microsoft Clearinghouse and have them re-issue your W2k3 CALs for the new license server, then deactivate and uninstall the old TS license service; the W2k8 TS LS can identify and handle down-level TS CALs.
ASKER
I asked Microsoft Clearinghouse last week if I could move the 2003 CALs to my 2008 TS LS, and they said no. They told me I had to repurchase 2008 CALs, that I couldn't have 2003 CALs loaded on my 2008 TS LS. So, I set up the 2008 TS LS and am purchasing a few 2008 CALs for when my 2008 Terminal Server comes online (next week). But I am afraid that when the I load the 2008 CALs for my 2008 Terminal Server that the workstations connecting to 2003 Terminal Servers will take the few 2008 CALs I have purchased for when my 2008 Terminal Server comes online. Does that make since? Hence the question of how do I get my 2008 TS LS not to give CALs for 2003 Terminal Servers, which it appears to be doing now.
As a side note, my 2003 TS LS is a DC, but my 2008 TS LS is not.
As a side note, my 2003 TS LS is a DC, but my 2008 TS LS is not.
I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere on microsoft.com that the W2k8 TS LS is able to handle down-level TS CALs as well; can't test it at the moment. You might want to try to call again, sometimes it depends on who you get on the other side.
Anyway, there are two policies that help you control which server gets which licenses.
In Computer Configuration\Administrati
Apply a policy to your W2k3 TS that they only access your W2k3 TS LS, and another policy to your W2k8 TS that they only access the W2k8 TS LS. Once this is configured and working, you can apply the "Prevent license update" to your W2k8 TS license server.
Anyway, there are two policies that help you control which server gets which licenses.
In Computer Configuration\Administrati
Apply a policy to your W2k3 TS that they only access your W2k3 TS LS, and another policy to your W2k8 TS that they only access the W2k8 TS LS. Once this is configured and working, you can apply the "Prevent license update" to your W2k8 TS license server.
ASKER
I will call them again, you are right about "it depends on who you get on the other side."
I will try that and post back. Thanks for all your help, sorry so confusing.
I will try that and post back. Thanks for all your help, sorry so confusing.
ASKER
I might be missing it, but I cannot find the "Prevent License Update" or something that would stop them from updating their CAL. I found a "Prevent License Upgrade" but that appears to be associated with Windows 2000 CALs upgrading to Windows 2003. Will that work to prevent Windows 2003 CALs from upgrading to Windows 2008 CALs?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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A TS running W2k8 will only ever request W2k8 TS CALs, no matter which OS the client is running.
If you don't have a W2k3 TS anymore, you'll have to upgrade your TS CALs. Your W2k3 TS CALs are only useful in conjunction with a W2k3 TS.