Win 2003 Server Terminal Server Licensing
Hi Experts,
We have installed Terminal Services on two of our 2003 Servers and I'm very new to it.
I did see somewhere during the installation process that TS will work as a trial for 120 days (or so), and then we will need to purchase licenses. Do I need "specific" Terminal Services licenses, CAL's, or both? What's the specific terminology?
My questions are:
1. How can I check if the server already has CAL's and/or TS licenses?
2. Can I set-up one of our Windows 2003 servers as a "license server" so that i can share the TS licenses between the two servers? - a rumor that i've heard somewhere
3. Do I need a TS license for each TS session, or for each user? I'm only using 1 user in TS, but have multiple people connect with that same user, so i wonder if i can only get 1 TS license for multiple sessions with the same user :)
4. What's the best place to purchase TS licenses? I asked CDW and it's very expensive at about 80 per user :(
Thanks in advance!
We have installed Terminal Services on two of our 2003 Servers and I'm very new to it.
I did see somewhere during the installation process that TS will work as a trial for 120 days (or so), and then we will need to purchase licenses. Do I need "specific" Terminal Services licenses, CAL's, or both? What's the specific terminology?
My questions are:
1. How can I check if the server already has CAL's and/or TS licenses?
2. Can I set-up one of our Windows 2003 servers as a "license server" so that i can share the TS licenses between the two servers? - a rumor that i've heard somewhere
3. Do I need a TS license for each TS session, or for each user? I'm only using 1 user in TS, but have multiple people connect with that same user, so i wonder if i can only get 1 TS license for multiple sessions with the same user :)
4. What's the best place to purchase TS licenses? I asked CDW and it's very expensive at about 80 per user :(
Thanks in advance!
ASKER
Thank you for the explanation. It appears that both servers have "licensing servers" installed, and it lists individual workstations and when their "temporary" TS license will expire.
Q1: Does that mean that only clients/workstations need TS CAL licenses, and not the server itself? Maybe I can "reset" the license on the workstations for another 120 day trial to test it out more :) I've heard there may be a way.
Q2: One of the 2003 Servers has 23 temporary licenses/workstations activated on it, but the other 2003 Win Server only has 10 temporary licenses/workstations activated. This is very strange to me because both servers are getting accessed evenly. Any reason why this may be happening?
I'm asking because sometimes the TS client tries to connect, and is getting a message with "you already have the remote session open... choose which one you want to join etc". I'm wondering if this 10 vs 23 licenses has anything to do with it.
Thank You!
Q1: Does that mean that only clients/workstations need TS CAL licenses, and not the server itself? Maybe I can "reset" the license on the workstations for another 120 day trial to test it out more :) I've heard there may be a way.
Q2: One of the 2003 Servers has 23 temporary licenses/workstations activated on it, but the other 2003 Win Server only has 10 temporary licenses/workstations activated. This is very strange to me because both servers are getting accessed evenly. Any reason why this may be happening?
I'm asking because sometimes the TS client tries to connect, and is getting a message with "you already have the remote session open... choose which one you want to join etc". I'm wondering if this 10 vs 23 licenses has anything to do with it.
Thank You!
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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--> You will need to purchase Remote Desktop Services CALs (Either User or Device; you can't mix and match). These will actually be for Server 2008, but can be used for 2003.
My questions are:
1. How can I check if the server already has CAL's and/or TS licenses?
--> Well, you need to know if you have a license server. If you know that you do, or think so, simply go into Administrative Tools -> Terminal Server Licensing and connect to that server. It will tell you what you have.
2. Can I set-up one of our Windows 2003 servers as a "license server" so that i can share the TS licenses between the two servers? - a rumor that i've heard somewhere
--> Any server can be a license server. I recommend a DC, but it can be anything. Just pick one that is going to be around for a while, as you will have to re-enter all license keys in a new server upon retiring the 'current' license server.
3. Do I need a TS license for each TS session, or for each user? I'm only using 1 user in TS, but have multiple people connect with that same user, so i wonder if i can only get 1 TS license for multiple sessions with the same user :)
--> Actually, I 'think' that you can do that, but that could get messy. I'd hope MS is smarter than that, but... I use device CALs, so I can't say for sure.
4. What's the best place to purchase TS licenses? I asked CDW and it's very expensive at about 80 per user :(
--> Everyone will be about the same price. If you are comfortable with an MS VAR, stick with them. Makes it easier if there are issues. The game you have to play is SA or not to SA. We don't, but a new OS could come out within 3 years and may make it worth it for ya.