How do you release a terminal server license

[Technokrat]

We have a user that has recently changed computers, and the license server still holds the reference to the old PC for the Terminal Service license. Is there an easy way to release, or delete the existing license assignment so when the user makes the connection request the next time, the license is assigned to the new PC?

 

[Hof]

What was the operating system on the client. If it was Windows 2000 or XP you don't have to worry. If it was Win 9x or NT 4 then the license should be recovered when it expires (you can see the date in TS Licensing), but that only works if you had the correct hotfixes from Microsoft installed when you entered the licenses. The hotfix that you should have installed is primarily Q287687 but also Q311401 (Security Rollup). If these weren´t installed when the TS licenses were entered on the server then you have to call your local Microsoft Clearinghouse and they will help you (sorry but I only have the phone number to the Clearinghouse in Sweden). The things you have to do then is to deactivate the server, activate it again with help from Clearinghouse, install the hotfixes and then enter the TS licenses again whith help from Clearinghouse. You can probably find the telephonenumber if you simulate that you are activating your server and choose telephone method. Don't do any deactivation and so on by yourself, call the Clearinghouse first.
Hope this helps.

/Hof

 

[CidMatrix]

It's also worth mentioning that Terminal Server will provide temporary licenses automatically for a period of 90 days(?). Once the period expires if there isn't a license available that terminal won't be able to logon. You can also REMOVE the TS CAL from a computer, but, I don't belive this makes the licenses available, instead, I think it means that the next time that terminal tries to logs on it would get a NEW license. The article for this is Q248430.

My suggestion, I believe deactivating the server for the purpose of resetting the licenses will cause down time. So, what I did, is I created a new Term Ser Lic server (old, decent desktop). I called the Clearinghouse and told them I was moving my lic server, or better yet, tell them it crashed and you are rebuilding it. That way, you can build a new one (WITH THE FIXES) and not have any downtime. You may have to specify (REG setting) what license server to use, but this is not hard. I don't remember the Q article number for this one.

Hope this helps.

 

[mjbrown]

The licenses will only have an expiration if the security rollup 2 is installed. Prior to this, there was no expiration which MS realized was a huge pain. If Security Rollup 2 is installed , the permanant licenses will expire in 53-89 days (randomly picked) and that license will again be available before the 90 days of the temporary license has expired. I wrote a FAQ in this section outlining the process if you are interested..

Mike Brown CCA