Re: License issue with Server 2003

Camden Daily wrote:
> Having a big problem with rdesktop, so I thought I might see what sort 
> of advise I can gather from the list!
>
> We're running Server 2003 with a number of terminal server CALs, 
> configured on a per-device usage basis. 
>
> However, whenever I connect to the 2003 server with my Ubuntu Edgy 
> desktop, it works fine, but it grabs a new license every single time.  
> First, it ate up my regular CALs, and now it's just churning through my 
> temporary licenses as well.  Is there any simple solution to ensure that 
> machines connecting to the terminal server from rdesktop use the same 
> license with each connection, instead of grabbing a brand new one with 
> each connection?
>
>   
Short answer:  Yes.

Longer Answer:  Windows 2003 CALs are stored in a pool.  Each CAL 
distributed by the server is assigned an expiration date.  After that 
expiration date, the CAL goes back to the pool to be re-assigned.   
Windows 2003 will first go through real CALs before issuing temporary 
CALs.  Temporary CALs are only supposed to be issued once per 
workstation.  The idea being you will get a temporary CAL, so you can 
then go buy enough real CALs for your server.

When a CAL is assigned by Windows 2003, a real Windows based PC will 
store the CAL in it's registry.  The stored CAL from the Windows PC  
will be presented to the Windows 2003 server  at the time the user wants 
to login.  If the CAL has not expired, the CAL will give access.  If the 
CAL has expired, the CAL is to be removed from the Windows PC registry, 
and a new CAL will be issued from the Windows 2003 server.

rdesktop is suppose to have an option to cache the CAL locally (act how 
a Windows PC would operate with the CAL).  I have never tried this option.

Ken Cobler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services, security?
Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job easier.
Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache Geronimo
http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642