In this post, I will show you how to migrate RDS CALs from one server to another. RD CALs, which stand for Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licenses, allow users and devices to access and utilize Windows Server-published resources, such as Windows applications, desktops, and files. Looking forward to creating VDI collections? Check out this previous post on how to Create VDI Collections on Windows Server 2022 to learn more. You can also learn how to Remove Remote Desktop Services Role on Windows Server.

In the course of carrying out your administrative tasks as a system administrator, there might be a need for you to reinstall the server holding the RDS CALs. Reinstalling a server means getting everything ready afresh—formatting. Without first migrating your RDS CALs, you will lose them, and this will result in having to purchase another one.

If you are just getting started with RDS CALs, refer to the post on how to install a new Per User Remote Desktop Services license. How about if you want to remove it? Here is a post on how to remove RDS Client Access Licenses from RDS Server. Now, let’s proceed to migrate the RDS CALs from one server to another.

Migrating RDS CALs

To migrate the RDS CALs, you must identify your source and destination servers. In my case, my source server serves as the domain controller, and I have recently set up my VDI server, where I have my VDI collections created.

To get started with the migration, perform the below steps:

Step 1: Lunch RD Licensing Manager

From the server manager dashboard of the destination server, navigate to Remote Desktop Services, and then click on RD Licensing Manager.

1-Open-Server-Manager-for-destination-server — Migrating RDS CALs

Step 2: Manage Licenses

Right-click on the server name and select Manage Licenses.

Next, welcome to the manage licenses wizard displays.

Click Next to continue to the connection method page.

From the Connection Method page, select the automatic connection (recommended) method and click Next to continue.

In the Action Selection page, ensure you check “Migrate license from another license server to this license server.”

In selecting a reason for migrating the licenses, select the source license server that is being replaced by this license server.

6-Enter-the-Ip-Address-of-the-source-license-server

On the source license server information page, enter the name or IP address of the source license server as shown above and click Next to proceed.

Note that the source license server and the destination license server must be on the same network and domain before they can communicate with each other.