Activating Windows Server 2019 RDS 10 Device CAL

Activating Windows Server 2019 RDS 10 Device CAL involves properly launching the remote desktop services licensing role and adding the purchased RDS CAL access licenses assigned to devices. In practice, this means that you first need to activate the license server, and then install the license package on it. The entire process is performed from the RD Licensing Manager tool.

Device CAL licenses are assigned to a specific device, not to a user. This is a good solution in environments where one or more people use the same computer, but the device itself remains constant. In the case of the 10 Device CAL package, the server will be able to issue licenses for a maximum of ten devices connecting to RDS services.

Step by Step

Before you start, make sure that the Remote Desktop Licensing role is installed on the server and that you have a license key or license details received after purchase.

1. Open RD Licensing Manager.
   The easiest way to do this is from the Server Manager, going to Tools and selecting Remote Desktop Services, then Remote Desktop Licensing Manager.

2. In the left panel, find the name of your server.
   If the license server is not yet activated, information about the need for activation is usually visible next to its name.

3. Right-click the server name and select Activate Server.
   The activation wizard will start.

4. Choose the connection method.
   Most often, the Automatic connection (recommended) option is used, as the server connects directly to Microsoft Clearinghouse. If the server does not have internet access, you can use the Web Browser or Telephone methods.

5. Fill in the company details.
   The wizard may ask for basic information, such as company name, country, or administrator's email address. After confirming them, complete the license server activation.

6. After activation, select the option to run the license installation wizard.
   If the window has already been closed, right-click the server name and select Install Licenses.

7. In the wizard, select the appropriate licensing program.
   This is an important step, as the way to enter data depends on the type of license purchased. In most cases, you should choose a program consistent with the purchase document or information from the supplier.

8. Enter the license number or activation key.
   Enter the data exactly as it was provided when purchasing. After confirmation, the system will download the license package and save it to the server.

9. Check if the Windows Server 2019 - RDS 10 Device CAL package has appeared on the list of installed licenses.
   In the central part of the window, the package details, the number of available licenses, and the type: Per Device should be visible.

10. Configure the RDS session server to use the correct license server.
    In environments where the remote desktop session host is running, you need to specify the Per Device licensing mode and assign the appropriate license server. This can be set locally or through Group Policy.

If you are using group policies, the settings are usually found in: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing

The most important policies are:

• Use the specified Remote Desktop license servers
• Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode

For device licenses, select the Per Device mode.

If you need help, please contact us at [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.

Verification

After completing the activation, it's worth confirming that the system is working correctly.

1. Open RD Licensing Manager again and check the server status.
   The server should be marked as activated.

2. Expand the server name and verify the installed license package.
   An entry corresponding to RDS CAL Per Device with 10 licenses should be visible.

3. On the session host server, check if the correct licensing mode is set.
   For this package, it must be Per Device, not Per User.

4. Perform a test connection from a client device.
   After a successful connection, the server should start the process of issuing a license for the device.

It's worth remembering that in some cases, the assignment of a device license is not immediately visible as final. The system may first grant a temporary license and then replace it with the proper one.

Problems

The most common problem is a mismatch in the licensing mode. If Per User is set on the session server, and Device CAL licenses are installed, error messages or warnings may appear in RDS diagnostics.

Another common cause of problems is the failure to specify the correct license server. Simply installing licenses in RD Licensing Manager is not always enough. The session host must know which server to use.

It also happens that the administrator activates the license server but does not install the RDS CAL package itself. These are two separate steps. Activating the server only prepares it for work, while installing licenses enables them to be issued to devices.

If the server does not have internet access, the problem may be the choice of the wrong activation method. In such a case, you should use activation via a browser or phone and follow the wizard's instructions.

In case of errors with the license number, it's worth checking if the correct type of licensing program was selected. Even a correct key can be rejected if an inappropriate category was chosen in the wizard.

FAQ

Does 10 Device CAL mean 10 users?
No. Device CAL refers to devices, not people. Ten licenses mean the possibility of assigning a license to ten devices connecting to RDS services.

Is activating the license server enough for RDS to work correctly?
No. After activating the server, you still need to install the RDS CAL package and set the correct licensing mode on the session host, i.e., Per Device.

Where to check if licenses have been added correctly?
The easiest way is in the RD Licensing Manager tool. There, you can see the server status, license type, and the number of installed and issued CALs.

If you need help with activating Windows Server 2019 RDS 10 Device CAL licenses, configuring RD Licensing Manager, or verifying RDS settings, contact us: [email protected] or call 00 800 121 1654.