Microsoft license requirements in Parallels RAS
This topic is to be used as guidance to provide clarity on Microsoft license requirements in a Parallels RAS environment while not used as an exclusive list. It is recommended to refer to your Microsoft licensing partner for further information.
Microsoft license requirements include:
General
Any Windows Server and Desktop Operating System (OS) to be used.
Windows Server OS to be accessed must be covered by Microsoft Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs).
RD Session Hosts
If Windows Server is accessed remotely (for non-administrative work) then you need Remote Desktop Service (RDS) access license:
RDS CALs are required for users or devices that want to utilize Remote Desktop Service functionality on Windows Server. The following types of RDS CAL are available:
RDS Device CAL: Permits one device (used by any user) to use Remote Desktop Services functionality on any of your servers.
RDS User CAL: Permits one user (using any device) to use Remote Desktop Services functionality on any of your servers.
RDS External Connector: Permits multiple external users to access a single Remote Desktop server. If you have multiple servers, you need multiple external connectors in addition to any required Windows Server External Connectors.
You may choose to combine RDS Device CALs and RDS User CALs simultaneously with the server software. Regular User or Device CALs are required in addition to the RDS User or RDS Device CALs.
RDS SAL is a service that provides a Microsoft Remote Desktop Service Subscriber Access License (called an “RDS SAL”) on Virtual Machines created in Compute Resource. This makes it possible for three or more users to connect to a remote desktop (RD Session Host) for a specific Virtual Machine in Compute Resource (for SPLA partners).
Read more:
License your RDS deployment with client access licenses (CALs): https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/rds-client-access-license
RDS Licensing Data Sheet https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/B/A/6BA3215A-C8B5-4AD1-AA8E-6C93606A4CFB/Windows_Server_2012_R2_Remote_Desktop_Services_Licensing_Datasheet.pdf
RDS CAL overview and FAQ https://download.microsoft.com/download/3/D/4/3D42BDC2-6725-4B29-B75A-A5B04179958B/Licensing-Windows-Server-2012-R2-RDS-and-Desktop-Apps-for-RDS.pdf
Licensing of Microsoft Desktop Application Software for use with Windows Server RDS http://download.microsoft.com/download/3/d/4/3d42bdc2-6725-4b29-b75a-a5b04179958b/desktop_application_with_windows_server_remote_desktop_services.pdf
Hypervisor and VDI
In case using Microsoft Hyper-V as a hypervisor, Microsoft Windows Server Operating System (OS) Licenses are required
Read more:
Windows Server 2019 license datasheet https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/C/E/7CED6910-C7B2-4196-8C55-208EE0B427E2/Windows_Server_2019_licensing_datasheet_EN_US.pdf
Windows Server 2016 license datasheet https://download.microsoft.com/download/7/2/9/7290EA05-DC56-4BED-9400-138C5701F174/WS2016LicensingDatasheet.pdf
In case using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Windows Software Assurance or Azure Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) licenses are required. Microsoft licenses Windows by access device:
Virtual desktop access rights are a benefit of Windows Client Software Assurance (SA). Customers who intend to use PCs covered under SA have access to their VDI desktops at no additional charge.
Customers who want to use devices that do not qualify for Windows Client SA, such as thin clients, will need to license those devices with Azure Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) in order to access a Windows VDI desktop. Windows VDA is also applicable to third party devices, such as contractor or employee-owned PCs.
Read more:
Windows 10 licensing portal https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/product-licensing/windows10?activetab=windows10-pivot:primaryr3
Licensing Windows desktop operating system for use with virtual machines guide https://download.microsoft.com/download/9/8/d/98d6a56c-4d79-40f4-8462-da3ecba2dc2c/licensing_windows_desktop_os_for_virtual_machines.pdf
Licensing the Windows Desktop for VDI Environments https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/storage/temp/12620-microsoft-vdi-and-vda-faq-v3-0.pdf
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Online business services, such as Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Azure, require Azure AD for sign-in and to help with identity protection. If you subscribe to any Microsoft Online business service, you automatically get Azure AD with access to all the free features. To enhance your Azure AD implementation, you can also add paid capabilities by upgrading to Azure Active Directory Premium P1 or Premium P2 licenses.
Read more:
Azure AD Implementations https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/fundamentals/active-directory-whatis
Azure hybrid benefits https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/hybrid-benefit/
Azure Virtual Desktop
Access to Windows 10 Enterprise multi-session or Windows 10 Enterprise desktops and apps is provided at no additional cost (excluding compute, storage and networking costs) if you have one of the following per user licenses:
Microsoft 365 E3/E5
Microsoft 365 A3/A5/Student Use Benefits
Microsoft 365 F3
Microsoft 365 Business Premium
Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
Windows 10 Education A3/A5
Windows 10 VDA per user
Access to desktops powered by Windows Server Remote Desktop Services running Windows Server 2012 R2 and newer is provided at no additional cost (excluding compute, storage and networking costs) if you have a per-user or per-device RDS CAL license with active Software Assurance (SA).
Read more:
Azure Virtual Desktop pricing overview https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/virtual-desktop/
FSLogix
You are eligible to access FSLogix Profile Container, Office 365 Container, Application Masking, and Java Redirection tools if you have one of the following licenses:
Microsoft 365 E3/E5
Microsoft 365 A3/A5/ Student Use Benefits
Microsoft 365 F1/F3
Microsoft 365 Business
Windows 10 Enterprise E3/E5
Windows 10 Education A3/A5
Windows 10 VDA per user
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Client Access License (CAL)
Remote Desktop Services (RDS) Subscriber Access License (SAL)
FSLogix solutions may be used in any public or private data center, as long as a user is properly licensed.
Read more:
FSLogix Overview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/fslogix/overview.
Microsoft SQL Server
SQL Server is required if using Parallels RAS Reporting. SQL Server installation may be based on:
SQL Express which is free but has a database size limit of 10 GB.
SQL Server commercial edition Standard or Enterprise, using Core based licenses or Server + CAL based licenses.
Read more:
SQL Server 2019 licensing guide https://download.microsoft.com/download/6/6/0/66078040-86d8-4f6e-b0c5-e9919bbcb537/SQL%20Server%202019%20Licensing%20guide.pdf
App-V
App-V is not licensed on its own, but included in other license agreements such as Microsoft Volume Licensing, Windows Software Assurance Microsoft, Remote Desktop Services (RDS) CAL, as part of a wider Microsoft licensing agreement. For instance, with an RDS CAL (either per-user or per-device), App-V client may be used on RD Session Host to deliver App-V applications.
To license App-V correctly it is recommended you to engage with a Microsoft Partner (solution provider) knowledgeable on Microsoft Volume Licensing (list of Microsoft Partners: https://pinpoint.microsoft.com/en-us/search?type=companies&competency=100010).
Other References
For a detailed list of Microsoft Volume Licensing Product Terms please see https://www.microsoftvolumelicensing.com/Downloader.aspx?documenttype=PT&lang=English.
Last updated