In this blog post you will find a small step-by-step guide on how to install and configure an RDS Licensing role under Windows Server 2019/2016. The activation and assignment of the RDS CALs is also described.
Configuration steps:
- Install RDS Licensing Role
- Activate RDS Licensing Server
- Install Licences
- Assign RDS licences via GPO
1. Installing the RDS Licensing Role
In the first step, we install a Windows role that is responsible for registering and issuing RDS CALs. By default, each session host is installed with a 120-day trial licence. After this period, it will no longer be possible to connect to an RDS host (and Citrix VDA installed on it).
1.1 Start the wizard:
Server Manager > Manage > Add Roles and Features > Roles and Features Wizard.
Installation Type: Role-based or feature-based installation
1.2 Server Selection: Select the server to be installed as the RDS licence server. Next...
1.3 Server Roles: Click the Remote Desktop Services option. Next...
1.4. features: More...
1.5. Remote-Desktop-Dienste: Weiter...
1.6 Remote Desktop Services / Role Service: Select Remote Desktop Licensing and Continue
1.7 Confirm the selection of the components in the opened pop-up window. Add Features
1.8. Continue...
1.9 Confirmation: Click on the Install button to install the selected components.
1.10. Close the Wizard window
It is much quicker and more effective to use PowerShell:
Install-WindowsFeature RDS-Licensing -IncludeAllSubFeature -IncludeManagementTools
2. Activate the RDS licence server
Start the installed RD Licence Manager
2.1 First the licence server must be activated. Right-click on the licence server and select Activate Server.
A wizard window opens.
2.2 Next
2.3 If the licence server has an internet connection, the Automatic connection would be the best method. If the server does not have direct internet access, you can activate via a web browser or by phone.
2.4 The Enter the company information here. The information on this page is mandatory.
2.5 If you wish, you can enter the optional company data here, otherwise Next
2.6 Completing the Activate Server Wizard - the licence server has been successfully activated.
You can proceed directly with the licence installation if the Start the Licenses Install Wizard option is not unchecked.
3. Install licences
Important: You cannot install a 2019 RDS-CAL on a Windows Server 2016 licence server. (see error message below)
3.1 Next
3.2.Select the appropriate licence programme (in my case Enterprise Agreement, also suitable for MSDN). Depending on the licence type, the procedure differs greatly.
3.3 Enter the licence code and then click the Add button.
3.4 The installation is completed, the installed licences are displayed.
The yellow triangle with an exclamation mark means that the licence server is not yet a member of the Terminal Servers in AD (see point 5).
4. Assign RDS licences via GPO
Create a (or use an existing) new Group Policy object and link it to the OU containing RD Session Hosts.
4.1 Launch the Group Policy Editor and navigate to the following section:
Computer Configuration > Policies > Admin Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Licensing.
Use the specified Remote Desktop licence servers - here the address (IP or FQDN) of the licence server is set.
Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode - here the appropriate licence type is selected
4.2 Use the specified Remote Desktop licence servers - enter the IP address or FQDN of the licence server.
4.3 Set the Remote Desktop licensing mode - in our case Per Device is selected.
You can find more information on the topic here: Basic information on the client access licence model.
5. Remove the yellow warning triangle
To remove the yellow warning triangle, the user who started the console should have the appropriate Domain Admin rights.
5.1 Right-click on Licence Server and select the Review Configuration option.
5.2 Click the Add to Group button to add the licence server to the Terminal Server License Servers group.
5.3 Continue. You will be informed that Domain Admin rights are required.
5.4 The message below shows that the operation was successful.
5.5 Click OK.
5.6
Error: The License code is not recognized. Ensure that you have entered the correct license code.
This message appears when you try to install a "new" licence version on an "old" system, e.g. an RDS CAL 2019 on a Server 2016. Older versions can be installed on a Server 2016.
RD Licensing Diagnoser
To get a better overview of the number of licences checked out, it is worth installing another console:
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