Remote desktop CAL after migration

matteu31 487 Reputation points
2025-02-28T14:10:13.9266667+00:00

Hello,

My customer has 4 hosts sessions

2008r2

2012r2

2016

2019

He has 1 license server for each OS.

We are installing a new license server 2025 with only 2025 CAL and configure it as license server for each host session

If a computer never connect to the host session, he gest a new 2025 CAL and I can see it on the licence manager.

However if it's an existing computer and had already connected to an host session, he doesn't get a new 2025CAL to connect but connection is successull.

Why does this work ?

When does this computer get a 2025CAL from this new server ?

Thanks

Windows Server Remote and virtual desktops Remote desktop services and terminal services
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  1. Mars Shan-MSFT 1,085 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2025-03-03T01:43:15.69+00:00

    Hello,

    When a computer that has previously connected to a host session connects to the new license server configured with 2025 CALs, it may not immediately acquire a new 2025 CAL. This is because the Remote Desktop Licensing service may still recognize the computer based on its previous connection history and allow the connection using an existing CAL.

    The computer will typically acquire a new 2025 CAL from the new server when the existing CAL expires or when the licensing grace period ends. The grace period allows clients to connect even if a license server is unavailable, but eventually, they will need to acquire a valid CAL from the new server.

    If the connection is successful without a new CAL being issued, it is likely due to the grace period or the server recognizing the client based on previous connections.


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