Licensing Question

[Albatross Singh]

Good Morning

We are a small setup and we outsource our helpdesk/server maintenance. Our
vendor/IT consultant is not too clear on how licensing works for Terminal
Services. So while he is doing his research, I was wondering if someone can
point to me what we need.

Here is out scenerio:

We have servers licensed properly and clients CALS also. We have Windows
2000 workstations and XP ones as well. We used to use terminal services for
admin use only. Now we have started the terminal server in application mode
for 4 remote users. Its working fine except for printing issues and now this
licensing question.

Do I have to buy the 5-pack license for CALS for termial server? Microsoft I
think sellls them for around $600. I think that the server is running on a
90 day probationary license.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Singh

 

[Vera Noest [MVP]]

You don't mention the OS version on your server, I will assume it
runs Windows 2000.
If all of your workstations are running Windows 2000 Pro or XP Pro
(not Home edition), then you do *not* have to buy any additional
TS CALs. These clients get a free TS CAL from the build-in pool of
licenses on the Terminal Services Licensing Server.

The only thing that you must do before the grace period of the TS
ends is to install the TS Licensing Services on your Domain
Controller (or on the TS itself, if you have a workgroup).
Activate it, and it will start issuing TS CALs.

Detailed information can be found here:

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

Windows 2000 Terminal Services Licensing White paper
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/howitworks/terminal/
tslicensing.asp