RDS CALs for Remote Desktop Gateway role on Azure VM

Sheryar 21 Reputation points
2021-09-02T23:58:18.957+00:00

Hello,

I'm setting up a VM in Azure with Windows Server 2019 which will have Remote Desktop Gateway (RDG) role. I will be using RDG to allow users to authenticate and connect to their physical desktops in office that are running Windows 10 pro.

FAQs on Azure VMs state that Server CALs are not required as access rights are included in the per-minute charge for the Virtual Machines. Would the same apply to RDS CALs if users are not remoting into the Server itself for session hosts but to their physical desktops?

Thanks for your help.

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Azure Virtual Desktop
A Microsoft desktop and app virtualization service that runs on Azure. Previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop.
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Remote Desktop
A Microsoft app that connects remotely to computers and to virtual apps and desktops.
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  1. prmanhas-MSFT 17,891 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2021-09-08T13:09:52.607+00:00

    @Sheryar Apologies for the delay in response and all the inconvenience caused because of the issue.

    I believe there is no RDS CAL involved in a 1:1 W10 user scenario via RDGateway.

    As mentioned here

    Remote access. No more than once every 90 days, you may designate a single user who physically uses the licensed device as the licensed user. The licensed user may access the licensed device from another device using remote access technologies. Other users, at different times, may access the licensed device from another device using remote access technologies, but only on devices separately licensed to run the same or higher edition of this software.

    This document only lists SA and VDA as a requirement for Virtual OSE's , and i believe in this case its not a virtual OSE, instead a physical device running W10 locally, hence no SA/VDA requirement to my understanding

    Hope it helps!!!

    Please "Accept as Answer" if it helped so it can help others in community looking for help on similar topics.

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  1. cthivierge 4,056 Reputation points
    2021-09-08T13:24:07.997+00:00

    AFAIK, as soon as you use any functionality of RDS, a RDS CAL is required

    This document is for Windows 2012 R2 / 2016 but i think it's still accurate
    https://download.microsoft.com/download/3/D/4/3D42BDC2-6725-4B29-B75A-A5B04179958B/Licensing-Windows-Server-2012-R2-RDS-and-Desktop-Apps-for-RDS.pdf

    But you may contact your licensing reseller for this kind of question

    hth

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