Terminal Server License Release Issue

[DotNetNewbie]

Dear all,

I am hoping someone can help me.

Our terminal server has licenses for devices not users. I have spoken to a number of people and some say it is possible to cahnge from device to user licensing, and others say its not.

The issue I have is that since it is device based my licenses are eaten up by users logging in from difference computers etc.

I guess my question is two fold, a) is it possible to change from device to user licensing and b) is there a way to change the frequency on how often the Database is cleared down?

Kind Regards,

.Net

 

[Roadki11]

Someone will correct me if im wrong but if i remember correctly per user TS licensing is not supported on a 2K TS you will need to move to a 2K3 TS for per user licensing.

RoadKi11

 

[DotNetNewbie]

RoadKi11,

Thanks for your reply. I can confirm the TS Licensing server is a 2003 server.

ta

.Net

 

[Roadki11]

Doesnt really matter that the license server is 2K3, if the TS is 2K it will only license in per device mode not per user. If you want to use the per user license mode the TS needs to be 2K3.

RoadKi11

 

[Roadki11]

Sorry i never fully answered your question either. Part B of your question, the answer is no. The TS license token is issued for a time period, something like 45 to 60 days or something like that. From my understanding there is no tools or mechanism to change that time period or release a token prior to its expiry date.
RoadKi11

 

[kmcferrin]

But if your terminal server is Windows 2000 and your terminal server clients are Windows 2000 or Windows XP, then you should be covered. Windows 2000 Pro and Windows XP Pro both include a Windows 2000 TS CAL so you shouldn't need to buy them.

I had a similar setup at my last employer, and we never had to buy Terminal Server CALs for our terminal servers running in application mode.

 

[Roadki11]

Good point kmcferrin i forgot all about that. 2KPro and XP have whats called a built-in TS CAL so they can connect for free so to speak. However if the clients are 98, NT, or thin clients they will need purchased license TS CALs.

RoadKi11

 

[DotNetNewbie]

Gents,

Thank you for your response. I had read somewhere about XP having in essence a free TS license.

Doing some investigation we have discovered an old TS license server; which we have now deactivated, I think this may have well been the cause of the problem.

I will keep you posted.

Thanks again for your assistance.

.Net

 

[kmcferrin]

Could be. Keep in mind that the included TS CAL is only good for Windows Server 2000 terminal servers, with 2003 you still have to buy them. Also, even if you are using the 'free' licenses you will still require a TS licensing server somewhere in your environment.