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WinTechie-3187 avatar image
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WinTechie-3187 asked JennyYan-MSFT commented

RDS user CALs across all windows versions

Hi,

I am planning to setup a RDS license server on windows server 2019 with a certain amount of windows server 2019 user CALs
although I do know that there will be also some other (apart from 2019 RD session host) RD session host on windows server 2016 in my environment, can my RDS per user CALs for windows 2019 be used to issue licenses to users who would be logging to windows 2016 RD session host?

OR

Do I have to buy windows server 2016 RDS user CALs separately for users who would be logging onto 2016 RD session host?

Basically, I want to know if RDS user CALs are backward compatible and supported with respect to Windows version

windows-serverremote-desktop-services
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JennyYan-MSFT avatar image
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JennyYan-MSFT answered JennyYan-MSFT commented

Hi,
1.Yes, 2019RDS CAL could be used when remoting to RDSH 2016 servers as CALs are backward compatible.

2.But if you would like to have a more clear usage of RDS CAL with different versions, you could separate the 2019 RDS CALs to two group: one leave for RDS CAL 2019 and rest could be downgraded to RDS CAL 2016.

More details you could contact your seller or the Clearing house of your region.

Locate the Microsoft Clearinghouse Telephone Number for Your Country or Region
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-R2-and-2008/cc754874(v=ws.11)?redirectedfrom=MSDN#locate-the-microsoft-clearinghouse-telephone-number-when-the-license-server-is-not-activated

RDS CAL version compatibility
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license#rds-cal-version-compatibility



Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.

Thanks,
Jenny


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Hi Jenny,

Thanks for your response.

Although I have seen cases wherein 2016 RDS licenses are in place but when users connect to 2012 based RD session host, RD license manager shows "Built-inOverUsed" against windows server 2012 - installed RDS per user CAL and whatever licenses that are acquired by users on 2012 RD session host are not deducted from 2016 Available license count.

Is this a known thing ? as in this scenario it looks to be license violation even though Microsoft Doc suggest that RDS user CALs are backward compatible.

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Hi,

Yes, the Built-In Overused is listed to tell that these number of users have logged in without an appropriate CAL.
This is to make admins visible that Newer Verions licenses were issued for older terminal servers for which no dedicated (Older verion) RDS CALs are installed.
In your mentioned case is like: 2016 RDS CALs are issued for RDSH 2012 while there is no 2012 RDS CAL.

Here is an old blog but provided detailed explanation about your query.
Why are the "Built-In Overused" RDS CALs “issued” counted but not the “total” and “remaining” too?
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/ask-the-performance-team/2012-r2-license-server-issuing-built-in-overused-cals-for-2008/ba-p/375635



Hope this helps and please help to accept as Answer if the response is useful.

Thanks,
Jenny


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Excellent Article with complete research in place, Thanks for sharing!

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AndreasBaumgarten avatar image
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AndreasBaumgarten answered WinTechie-3187 commented

Hi @WinTechie-3187 ,

here are some details related to the "RDS CAL version compatibility":
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license#rds-cal-version-compatibility

113947-image.png


(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards
Andreas Baumgarten


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Hi Andreas,

Thanks for your response.

Although I have seen cases wherein 2016 RDS licenses are in place but when users connect to 2012 based RD session host, RD license manager shows "Built-inOverUsed" against windows server 2012 - installed RDS per user CAL and whatever licenses that are acquired by users on 2012 RD session host are not deducted from 2016 Available license count.

Is this a known thing ? as in this scenario it looks to be license violation even though Microsoft Doc suggest that RDS user CALs are backward compatible.

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JennyYan-MSFT avatar image
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JennyYan-MSFT answered

Hi WinTechie,

Is there any update for your question? Please feel free to revert back if more assistance needed.

If the response is helpful, kindly accept as Answer to allow us archive this thread.


Thanks,
Jenny

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