RDS: The Remote Desktop license server must have enough RDS CALs installed to allow users and devices to connect

Applies To: Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012

This topic is intended to address a specific issue identified by a Best Practices Analyzer scan. You should apply the information in this topic only to computers that have had the Remote Desktop Services Best Practices Analyzer run against them and are experiencing the issue addressed by this topic. For more information about best practices and scans, see Best Practices Analyzer.

Issue

There are not enough Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs) installed to allow users and devices to connect to the Remote Desktop Session Host server.

Impact

Some users or devices may not be able to connect to the Remote Desktop Session Host server.

Resolution

Install more Remote Desktop Services client access licenses by using Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

The number of Remote Desktop Services client access licenses must be greater than or equal to the number of client computers that will be connecting by using Remote Desktop Connection. You can add more licenses by using Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, on the RD Licensing server that you plan to configure, is the minimum required to complete this procedure.

To install Remote Desktop Services client access licenses

1. On the license server, open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager. To open Remote Desktop Licensing Manager, click Start, point to Administrative Tools, point to Remote Desktop Services, and then click Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

2. Verify that the connection method for the Remote Desktop license server is set to Automatic connection (recommended) by right-clicking the license server on which you want to install Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs), and then clicking Properties. On the Connection Method tab, change the connection method if necessary, and then click OK.

3. Right-click the license server on which you want to install the RDS CALs, and then click Install Licenses. The Install Licenses Wizard starts.

4. Click Next.

5. On the License Program page, select the appropriate program through which you purchased your RDS CALs, and then click Next.

6. The License Program that you selected on the previous page in the wizard determines what information you need to provide on this page. In most cases, you must provide either a license code or an agreement number. Consult the documentation provided when you purchased your RDS CALs.

7. After you have entered the required information, click Next.

8. On the Product Version and License Type page, select the appropriate product version, license type, and quantity of RDS CALs for your environment based on your RDS CAL purchase agreement, and then click Next.

9. The Microsoft Clearinghouse is automatically contacted and processes your request. The RDS CALs are then automatically installed onto the license server.

10. To complete the process, click Finish. The license server can now issue RDS CALs to clients that connect to an RD Session Host server.

See Also

Concepts

Best Practices Analyzer for Remote Desktop Services: Configuration
Best Practices Analyzer for Remote Desktop Services