When a client computer attempts to log on to a Remote Desktop Session Host server or a Remote Desktop Virtualization Host server for the first time, the RD Session Host server or the RD Virtualization Host server recognizes that the client has not been issued a license and locates a license server to issue a new license to the client's computer. When Microsoft receives your request to install CALs, it issues them in the quantity requested to your license server. The RDS CALs are stored and tracked on the license server on which they were installed. RDS CALs are installed through Microsoft from the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool. For more information, see Activate a Remote Desktop License Server.Īfter a license server is activated, you can install Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs). To complete the activation process, you need the product ID listed in the Remote Desktop Licensing Manager tool. While waiting to complete the activation process, your license server can issue temporary CALs for clients that allow them to use Remote Desktop Services for up to 90 days. After you have activated your license server, it becomes a registrar for the RDS CALs. Activation allows the license server to make subsequent secure transactions with Microsoft and receive RDS CALs.

You must activate a license server before it can issue Remote Desktop Services client access licenses (RDS CALs) to Remote Desktop clients.

Remote desktop license manager