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JoaquinGomez-9038 avatar image
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JoaquinGomez-9038 asked AmitaMenon-3691 edited

RDS Windows 10 VDI licensing

Hi community, thanks for reading,


I have a question about RDS lisensing for a Windows 10 VDI deployment project using Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Virtualization Host role.


As per this documentation: rds-client-access-license



Seems that RDS CAL are only required when users connect to a RD Session Host server not when you connect to a VM running in a RD Virtualization Host...

In fact, I have implemented several times RD GW and RD Web to connect to physical/virtual servers that were not RDSH servers and I did not even needed to install the RD Licensing role.


My problem is that, I also have read several blogs and articles stating that is required for a VDI deployment when using RD Web to access the Win10 Vms plus the VDA which seems to be an overkill...


So, my question is:

Do I need a RDS CAL if I use RD Web and RD Gateway to connect to VMs running in a RD Virtualization Host?

Or a VDA (Virtual Desktop Access) license for each Win10 VM would be sufficient?


Please provide some documentation if possible!


Thanks in advance,
Best regards

azure-virtual-desktop
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@JoaquinGomez-9038

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vipullag-MSFT avatar image
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vipullag-MSFT answered DeronBraun-6838 commented

@JoaquinGomez-9038

To access VDI, you need Windows Software Assurance on the client device or Microsoft Virtual Desktop Access licenses. RDS CALs are not used in this case. Windows Software Assurance and Virtual Desktop Access licenses include home use rights.

You can buy either Windows Software Assurance or VDA license. You don’t need both. The license is assigned to the client device.

RDS CAL will only come into picture when you use Sever based OS and create the Pooled VDI which can host multi-session and you install RDSH role on those VDI's.

Here is the link for your reference.

Hope the provided information is helpful.


Please 'Accept as answer' if the provided information is helpful, so that it can help others in the community looking for help on similar topics.

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To access VDI, you need Windows Software Assurance on the client device or Microsoft Virtual Desktop Access licenses. RDS CALs are not used in this case. Windows Software Assurance and Virtual Desktop Access licenses include home use rights.

You can buy either Windows Software Assurance or VDA license. You don’t need both. The license is assigned to the client device.

Concerning VDA rights for Desktop/Laptop. You have active Software Assurance (SA) on the physical desktop/laptop that has Windows Pro/Enterprise. If the system does not have active SA, you would need to purchase a Windows Enterprise Upgrade License with SA in order to have active SA


Have a great day,
Deron




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RobHelm avatar image
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RobHelm answered RobHelm edited

Disclaimer: I do not speak for Microsoft
For Remote Desktop Service CALs, I would check the Microsoft Volume Licensing Product Terms, Windows Server section, 3.1.1 (page 49 of Aug. 2020, Worldwide English edition).
"*Also required for use of Windows Server to host a graphical user interface (using the Windows Server 2019 Remote Desktop Services functionality or other technology)."
For what Microsoft thinks that means, see question 5, page 5 of the white paper listed below:
"If the solution uses any RDS roles (Remote Desktop (RD) Gateway, RD Web Access, RD Connection Broker, RD Session Host, or RD Virtualization Host), then an RDS CAL is required."
Rob
Product terms download: https://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/Downloader.aspx?documenttype=PT&lang=English
White paper: 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

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