Mastering Microsoft® Virtualization

10.7. Licensing

In order to appropriately deploy Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, the environment needs to be properly licensed. Every user or every device that connects to RDS must have a connection license. Microsoft offers two different Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses (RDS CALs) to accomplish this. The first is user-based and the second is device-based. You should purchase the RDS User CAL if you have a scenario wherein your users are accessing the RDS environment from more than one device or you have more devices than you do connecting users. Alternatively, acquire the RDS Device CAL if you have more users than devices. This is common in situations such as shift work, retail, and call centers. The RDS CALs must be purchased ...