Licensing Question

[Chris Coates]

I am trying to confirm that I am on track in regards to licensing for MS
Terminal Services on a Win 2000 Domain.
From what I understand, the rules were that in order to use Terminal
Services you had to have a Domain CAL and a Terminal Services CAL. However
if the PC you are using is licensed for Win 2K Pro or XP Pro then you did
not need a Terminal Services CAL.

I also understand that with the discontinuation of support of the Win 9X,
there are is no longer such a thing as a Terminal Services CAL, you must be
licensed to use Win 2K or XP on the desktop and have a Domain CAL.

Is this correct?

If not what am I mistaken about.

Thanks

ccoates

 

[Rob Leitman \(MS\)]

The first part is correct.

The second part isn't though. There is still the concept of a TS CAL that
you can get as an alternative to a Win2000 or WinXP desktop license.

Rob

 

[Vera Noest [MVP]]

comments inline

I am trying to confirm that I am on track in regards to
licensing for MS Terminal Services on a Win 2000 Domain.
From what I understand, the rules were that in order to use
Terminal Services you had to have a Domain CAL and a Terminal
Services CAL. However if the PC you are using is licensed for
Win 2K Pro or XP Pro then you did not need a Terminal Services
CAL.

That is correct (technically you need a TS CAL for W2K Pro and XP
Pro clients as well, but these clients get a free TS CAL from the
TS Licensing server).

I also understand that with the discontinuation of support of
the Win 9X, there are is no longer such a thing as a Terminal
Services CAL, you must be licensed to use Win 2K or XP on the
desktop and have a Domain CAL.

Is this correct?

No, not as far as I know. TS CALs are very much alive an needed
for every client that connects to a TS. That the OS on the client
is not supported anymore doesn't come into the equation. You have
been able to connect with a DOS client and a TS CAL right from the
beginning of TS, and DOS support has ended a long time ago
The same is true for unix rdp clients.

If you want an authorative answer on this (which is always a good
idea with licensing questions), check the

Windows 2000 Terminal Services Licensing FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/pricing/tsfaq
..asp

and the Licensing section of Microsofts Terminal Services FAQ
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/community/centers/termi
nal/terminal_faq.asp

 

[Andre]

What I would do is buy Win2k3 TS client cals, even though you are using them
in a win2k enviroment. win2k3 cals are backwards compatible win2kpro and XP
do not have the grace cal that win2k serveroffers. So if you upgrade your
server, the cals you've purchased already should work in the upgraded
server. Now that would be if you were buying OEM. Also, this is something
i've heard and not confirmed. so please research before making a decision.

There is still the option of buying into the OPEN VALUE licensing program,
which is a little different all around..

read here -> www.microsoft.com/licensing