asked on 12/21/2013

2012R2 RD Gateway and RDS Licensing

Hello

I just want to install the Remote Desktop Gateway Service on a 2012R2 Server and as far as I can tell I need to install the whole RDS package and licenses just to get the RD Gateway.

All I want is to use it to get access to computers within the network securely using a public certificate

Is this possible as it was in 2008R2

Thanks for your time

Remote Access Windows Server 2012

Last Comment

Rob Williams

12/22/2013

Norm Dickinson

12/22/2013

I believe you can install and use two concurrent connections with the license included with the server - otherwise you will need to purchase CALs for additional users, just like 2008R2.

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Rob Williams

12/22/2013

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SOLUTION

Norm Dickinson

12/22/2013

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Rob Williams

12/22/2013

I was referring to accessing PCs via RD gateway, not a server using admin accounts or an RDS server which require the licensing service to be installed. The former is an honor system as are all CALs today except RDS server and SQL CALs. Microsoft does enforce this.

Norm Dickinson

12/22/2013

There are also third party applications such as the popular LogMeIn free edition which allow direct access to PCs via web browser. See http://www.logmein.com. This is not recommended for a production environment but it is a handy tool for remote access nonetheless.

Rob Williams

12/22/2013

Another option would be to enable a VPN and RDP directly to the desktops. It's the RD Gateway that requires RDS CALs

Declaro

12/22/2013

ASKER

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

Thanks to both of you for the information, it has cleared up a mistaken belief on my part.

Rob Williams

12/22/2013

You are not alone in believing RDS CALs are not necessary in your situation. I had heard it was a requirements so when I had the opportunity I asked the question directly to a Microsoft Program Leader who said it was required with 2008 but not clearly stated so it was a grey area. He said it would be clearly a requirement with 2008 R2 and enforced. This has been confirmed on many occasions, but to be honest I have not seen it in the ELUA's.