Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Services 2022, Device CAL, RDS CAL, Client Access License

CAL (Client Access License) is the authorization to access the server and use its services.

A CAL is not software.

Remote Desktop 2022 Device CAL

The Remote Desktop Service CAL, also called RDS CAL, is part of the Microsoft licensing model. With it it is possible to access the Win Server 2022 Standard 16/24 Core or the Win Server 2022 Datacenter 16/24 Core from outside.

This means that the Remote Desktop Service Device CAL for remote access is similar to the Win Server 2022 Standard Device CAL with the difference that the device is not integrated locally.

What does the RDS Device CAL include?

Unlike the Win Server 2022 Standard User CAL, which is basically the same as the Remote Desktop 2022 User CAL, this license is applied "per device". It is therefore not bound to a user, but to a device or a client computer as soon as it connects to the server for the remote desktop session. Usually a temporary license is issued. Once access is terminated, it can be reissued.

This type of licensing allows the user to access the server directly or indirectly. However, it is also common to tie the remote session license directly to a device. This would make sense, for example, if employees work remotely all the time or are employed in a home office on certain days of the week. Otherwise, the "first-come-first-served" principle applies. Which form of licensing is relevant for the company depends on its own prioritization and the circumstances at hand.

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What is the RDS Device CAL needed for?

To use all functions of Win Server 2022 Standard, Win Server 2022 Datacenter or Win Server 2022 Standard 16/24 Core, a license is required. This also applies to external end devices that want to access the respective functions. With the Remote Desktop 2022 Device CAL, this access by external devices is possible without hesitation.

As the basis of the licensing model, the CAL is required as soon as access is to be granted. For this reason, it may make sense for organizations to have a set of Remote Desktop Service Device CALs on hand. These licenses are not only available for Windows Server 2022, but also for other products from Microsoft:

• Windows Server
• Microsoft SQL
• Microsoft Sharepoint
• Microsoft RDS
• Microsoft Exchange Server

Purchase Remote Device CALs: How many does the company need?

How many Remote Desktop Device CALs are needed depends on the particular company structure and how it operates. In most cases, companies choose to purchase a set of licenses that they assign directly on a permanent basis. In addition, some licenses are kept for temporary use so that employees or devices that don't normally access from outside can do so. These are available here.