Configure Remote Desktop licensing - deploy licensing server

Exam: Microsoft 70-643 - TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

Configure Remote Desktop licensing

Deploy licensing server

Licensing
The number of users that can access a Terminal Server is based on the number of applications running in a session, resources consumed by each application, and user activity patterns. Because 64-bit Windows removes the kernel virtual address space limitations, 64-bit Windows supports many more users than 32- bit Windows. Also, more resources are needed for the same workload set. On a 64-bit system, you need about 1.3 to 1.7 times the memory that was needed on a 32-bit system.

If you need to have more than two users connect to a computer at once, you need to install the Terminal Services role. You also need to manage your licenses.

License Management System
A license management system known as TS Licensing is available with Windows Server 2008 as a role, which can be used to manage TS licenses for Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008 Terminal Servers. You can choose between Terminal Services client access licenses (TS CAL) for devices and users. TS Licensing is used only with Terminal Services and not with Remote Desktop.

The features and benefits of Terminal Service Licensing include the following:

• Centrally managed processes and streamlined management of Client Access Licenses and tokens.
• Continuous license management, tracking and accounting for all users and devices.
• Efficient support and management for a variety of purchase and communication solutions and programs.
• Does not overload the infrastructure, including network, servers etc.

The license server can be installed on any server, and not just the domain controllers. One license server can serve many Terminal Servers simultaneously. Therefore, if you have a large company, you should place the license server on a separate server so that it can support multiple Terminal Servers. Small companies place the Terminal Services Licensing server on the Terminal Server. To use Terminal Services Licensing, there must be at least one Terminal Server with the following primary components:

• Microsoft Clearinghouse: A facility that Microsoft maintains to activate license servers, to issue Client Access Licenses to license servers, to recover CALs, and to reactivate license servers.
• A computer where the Terminal Services License is installed, is referred to as Terminal Services License Server. A license server functions as repository for all TS CAL tokens installed for a number of Terminal Servers. It keeps track of the corresponding tokens released at any given point. License servers can also be used as Terminal Servers, should they be connected t a corresponding activated license server. As a rule, license servers are deployed on a separately, however they can be found, on their corresponding Terminal Server.
• Terminal Servers allow for convenient access to a wide range of Windows applications running on the server. Terminal Servers also maximize the user convenience with their ability to support multiple client sessions.
• CALs: You must purchase and install the appropriate number of CALs for each user or each device that connects to the Terminal Server. CALs are available on a user-based or device-based licensing. You can decide on the appropriate licensing mode for your organization.

By using the Terminal Server License Server Activation Wizard, you can activate a license server to certify the server, and to enable the server to issue temporary licenses.