Ensure Your Customers’ Windows Server 2016 Client Access License (CAL) Needs are Filled!

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***Disclaimer: this article refers to Windows Server 2016 edition. We suggest you to click on Help for Windows Server 2019 Client Access Licenses (CALs) for information about the same topic for Windows Server 2019.***

In our recent blog, “Microsoft Windows Server 2016's core-based licensing explained” we discussed the new core-based licensing structure introduced with Microsoft Windows Server 2016. It is important to remember that this licensing model includes both Cores + Client Access Licenses (CALs) so you must ensure that your customers have the right number of Client Access Licenses (CALs) for their IT needs. 

If your customers are running Microsoft Windows Server on their HPE ProLiant Servers (a great combination in our humble opinion), they may need Client Access Licenses (CALs) to legally use the OS. To clarify, A CAL is not a software product. Rather, it is a license that gives a user or device the rights to access the services of the server. Licensing software with CALs can be complicated due to the technical nature of server products and networks but, we’re here to help make it as simple as possible.

BONUS: Learn more about CALs from our new Coffee Coaching session, Understanding Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs)

There are multiple CAL types: User CALs, Device CALs, and Remote Desktop Service (RDS) CALs.

User CALs: With the User CAL, a CAL is purchased for every user to accesses the server to use services such as file storage or printing, regardless of the number of devices they use for that access. User CALs deliver increased value and flexibility. With device proliferation and the move to BYOD (bring your own device), there is a growing trend of employees using more and more devices. Because of this,it is often times easier to track the number of users accessing the server, than the number of devices accessing the server.

Device CALs: With a Device CAL, a CAL is purchased for every device that accesses the server regardless of the number of users who use that device to access the server. Device CALs may make more economic and administrative sense if the company has workers who share devices, for example, on different work shifts.

RDS CALs: A Remote Desktop Service (RDS) CAL is also required for users that need to access programs or the full desktop remotely. Both a Windows Server CAL (User CAL or Device CAL) and a RDS CAL are required for remote desktop access.  

CALs can be purchased directly from HPE or from an HPE authorized reseller at any time and are available individually, or in packs of 5, 10, and 50.

Now that you understand what CALs are, the different types of CALs, and which type may be best for different business scenarios, and how to purchase CALs, we wanted to cover a few frequently asked questions we get regarding CALs for Windows Server 2016.

Windows Server 2016 CAL FAQs:

Q: Are CALs still required for Windows Server 2016?
A: Windows Server Standard and Datacenter Editions will continue to require Windows Server CALs for every user or device accessing a server (Essentials Edition does not require CALs). Some additional or advanced functionality will continue to require the purchase of a RDS CAL. RDS CALs are needed in addition to the Windows Server CAL to access functionality, such as Remote Desktop Services.

Q: Is it possible to buy additional CALs after I purchase the OS license? 
A: Yes, customers can buy additional CALs from HPE or HPE authorized resellers at any time and do not require a new HPE server purchase. HPE currently offers one, five, ten, and fifty CAL packs (user or device) and five CAL packs for RDS CALs (user or device).

Q: Can I use my Windows Server 2012 CALs to access Windows Server 2016?
A: No. CALs must be the same version as—or higher than—the server software they are accessing. In other words, users or devices accessing a server running Windows Server 2016 must have Windows Server 2016 CALs.

Q: Can I use my Windows Server 2016 CALs to access Windows Server 2012 R2?
A: Yes. A Windows Server CAL permits access to all earlier versions of Windows Server.

Want to learn more about HPE OEM Microsoft Windows Server 2016? Check out the Windows Server 2016 Product Page, DataSheet, and Licensing FAQ.

Have questions about CALs that we didn't answer? Leave us a comment here or drop us a note on any of our social media channels:

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