Terminal Server Licensing

[rrdavis07]

We recently began allowing some of our staff to Remote Desktop into one of our servers to gain access to our major application after hours. We purchased several TS licenses and installed them. Problem is, they were installed onto the DC, instead of this other server.

However, neither server will allow more than 2 concurrent connections.

Questions:

1) Should we transfer the the licenses from the DC to this other server? If so, what are the steps to do this?

2) Why are we only able to make two connections at once, even on the DC, where the licenses currently reside?


I understand the 2 connection limit. This means that our licenses are not doing anything. I would appreciate any understanding of this process. Thanks.

Randy Davis, MCP

Systems Administrator
The Independent School

 

[pgaliardo]

The licenses don't have to be installed on the actual terminal server. Sounds like you are still running terminal services in admin mode. You may have to go to Add/remove Windows Components and install terminal services.

 

[lhuegele]

Yes, when TS is set-up in remote-admin mode, only 2 concurrent connections are allowed. You need to re-install TS and pick terminal-services mode instead of remote-admin mode.

The CAL's can be installed on any server in your domain that you designate as the TS license server. Our experience is that CAL's are included in any "Pro" version of Windows from 2000 and up, and only those O/S's that don't come with their own CAL will be issued one from the license pool.

Good luck,

 

[rrdavis07]

Before I follow through on this, I need to verify something... When I go to Add/Remove Programs, Terminal Services is already installed. Do I remove, then re-install. When I try to remove, I get a box that warns me that any licenses will be lost. Will I then have to re-install the licenses, also? I tought you could only install licenses once.

Randy Davis, MCP

Systems Administrator
The Independent School

 

[lhuegele]

Here are some things that might help:

Terminal Services FAQ

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/en-us/terminal/terminal_faq.mspx

Determine the Mode Your In

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/243212

Change the Mode Your In

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/238162/EN-US/

Good luck,

 

[rrdavis07]

Thanks for the information... they were very helpful. I tried searching for the first article in the kb, but couldn't find it. I'm glad you sent it.


The article does not address my situation exactly. The server I'm turning into a TS is also our Exchange Server. When I attempt the change, the message I get is that all applications currently installed will no longer work and will need to be reinstalled. I realize that Exchange is a server and not an application, but didn't know if there would be a problem. I don't want to proceed until I know I wont have to re-install Exchange.

Randy Davis, MCP

Systems Administrator
The Independent School

 

[rrdavis07]

OK, I didn't give all the infomation. TS is not installed at all on the server. So this would be a new install of TS.

Randy Davis, MCP

Systems Administrator
The Independent School

 

[lhuegele]

Personally, I would never run my Exchange server as a Terminal Server. But since it's a new install, you shouldn't have any issues and should be able to point it to your TS CAL license server.

Microsoft has many KB articles on TS CAL's and managing your license pool. Just go to TechNet and do some searching.

Good luck,