Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

  • Thread starter Thread starter JSmith
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JSmith

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We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per device). Whenever all
9 client computers are logged in, we are unable to connect to the server
console using "mstsc /console" from a 10th management computer. However, if
we log out 1 client computer then we are able to connect. We need to be able
to remote control the 9 sessions from the management computer.

Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
RDP Client: version 6
Management computer OS: Windows XP
Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via RDP
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per device).
> Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we are unable to
> connect to the server console using "mstsc /console" from a 10th
> management computer. However, if we log out 1 client computer then
> we are able to connect. We need to be able to remote control the 9
> sessions from the management computer.
>
> Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
> RDP Client: version 6
> Management computer OS: Windows XP
> Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via RDP

I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

Thanks for the quick reply, however, Microsoft states:

"A Terminal Server Client Access License (TS CAL) is required to use
Terminal Server or otherwise host a remote graphical user interface (GUI)
session, except for a console session."

See:
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/overview.mspx)

As far as I understand, using "mstsc /console" is using a console session.
Am I missing something?



"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per device).
> > Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we are unable to
> > connect to the server console using "mstsc /console" from a 10th
> > management computer. However, if we log out 1 client computer then
> > we are able to connect. We need to be able to remote control the 9
> > sessions from the management computer.
> >
> > Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
> > RDP Client: version 6
> > Management computer OS: Windows XP
> > Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via RDP
>
> I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
>
>
>
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

Here is some more text that Microsoft has about the console:

"If you need to connect to the server console session remotely (for example,
to access applications that direct only their user interface to the console),
either use the Remote Desktops snap-in or use Remote Desktop Connection from
the command line."

See:
(http://technet2.microsoft.com/Windo...cadc-44a9-bf39-856127f4c8271033.mspx?mfr=true)

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

> JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per device).
> > Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we are unable to
> > connect to the server console using "mstsc /console" from a 10th
> > management computer. However, if we log out 1 client computer then
> > we are able to connect. We need to be able to remote control the 9
> > sessions from the management computer.
> >
> > Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
> > RDP Client: version 6
> > Management computer OS: Windows XP
> > Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via RDP
>
> I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
>
>
>
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

You are right, JSmith, a console session never uses or needs a TS
CAL. And moreover, TS CALs are not per concurrent connection, so if
you would run short of TS CALs, logging out one client would not
enable another client to log on.

So the problem that you have is *not* related to TS CALs at all.
I can think of two reasons for the behaviour that you see and you
should be able to verify which one applies to you by checking the
EventLog on the server:

a) the rdp-tcp connection settings are hardcoded to allow a maximum
of 9 concurrent connections. Check in Terminal Services
Configuration - rdp-tcp connection properties - network

b) your server is configured to use the "Per Server" licensing mode
for OS licensing, and you are running out of server CALs, not TS
CALs. Server CALs are per concurrent connection. Check in Control
Panel - Licensing applet. If that's the problem, make sure that you
have enough server CALs for all connecting devices and then disable
the Licensing Logging Service completely. Documented here:

824196 - Description of the License Logging Service in Windows
Server Operating Systems
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=824196

_________________________________________________________
Vera Noest
MCSE, CCEA, Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server
TS troubleshooting: http://ts.veranoest.net
___ please respond in newsgroup, NOT by private email ___

=?Utf-8?B?SlNtaXRo?= <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote on
28 mar 2008 in microsoft.public.windows.terminal_services:

> Thanks for the quick reply, however, Microsoft states:
>
> "A Terminal Server Client Access License (TS CAL) is required to
> use Terminal Server or otherwise host a remote graphical user
> interface (GUI) session, except for a console session."
>
> See:
> (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/ov
> erview.mspx)
>
> As far as I understand, using "mstsc /console" is using a
> console session. Am I missing something?
>
>
>
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>
>> JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>> > We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per
>> > device). Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we
>> > are unable to connect to the server console using "mstsc
>> > /console" from a 10th management computer. However, if we
>> > log out 1 client computer then we are able to connect. We
>> > need to be able to remote control the 9 sessions from the
>> > management computer.
>> >
>> > Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
>> > RDP Client: version 6
>> > Management computer OS: Windows XP
>> > Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via
>> > RDP
>>
>> I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

Thank you for the information. I am going there after work and I will check
both of these items.

"Vera Noest [MVP]" wrote:

> You are right, JSmith, a console session never uses or needs a TS
> CAL. And moreover, TS CALs are not per concurrent connection, so if
> you would run short of TS CALs, logging out one client would not
> enable another client to log on.
>
> So the problem that you have is *not* related to TS CALs at all.
> I can think of two reasons for the behaviour that you see and you
> should be able to verify which one applies to you by checking the
> EventLog on the server:
>
> a) the rdp-tcp connection settings are hardcoded to allow a maximum
> of 9 concurrent connections. Check in Terminal Services
> Configuration - rdp-tcp connection properties - network
>
> b) your server is configured to use the "Per Server" licensing mode
> for OS licensing, and you are running out of server CALs, not TS
> CALs. Server CALs are per concurrent connection. Check in Control
> Panel - Licensing applet. If that's the problem, make sure that you
> have enough server CALs for all connecting devices and then disable
> the Licensing Logging Service completely. Documented here:
>
> 824196 - Description of the License Logging Service in Windows
> Server Operating Systems
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=824196
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Vera Noest
> MCSE, CCEA, Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server
> TS troubleshooting: http://ts.veranoest.net
> ___ please respond in newsgroup, NOT by private email ___
>
> =?Utf-8?B?SlNtaXRo?= <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote on
> 28 mar 2008 in microsoft.public.windows.terminal_services:
>
> > Thanks for the quick reply, however, Microsoft states:
> >
> > "A Terminal Server Client Access License (TS CAL) is required to
> > use Terminal Server or otherwise host a remote graphical user
> > interface (GUI) session, except for a console session."
> >
> > See:
> > (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/ov
> > erview.mspx)
> >
> > As far as I understand, using "mstsc /console" is using a
> > console session. Am I missing something?
> >
> >
> >
> > "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
> >
> >> JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >> > We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per
> >> > device). Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we
> >> > are unable to connect to the server console using "mstsc
> >> > /console" from a 10th management computer. However, if we
> >> > log out 1 client computer then we are able to connect. We
> >> > need to be able to remote control the 9 sessions from the
> >> > management computer.
> >> >
> >> > Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
> >> > RDP Client: version 6
> >> > Management computer OS: Windows XP
> >> > Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via
> >> > RDP
> >>
> >> I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
>
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

THANK YOU!!!!!!! It turned out to be the rdp-tcp connection settings. I
really appreciate your time and help with this issue.

"Vera Noest [MVP]" wrote:

> You are right, JSmith, a console session never uses or needs a TS
> CAL. And moreover, TS CALs are not per concurrent connection, so if
> you would run short of TS CALs, logging out one client would not
> enable another client to log on.
>
> So the problem that you have is *not* related to TS CALs at all.
> I can think of two reasons for the behaviour that you see and you
> should be able to verify which one applies to you by checking the
> EventLog on the server:
>
> a) the rdp-tcp connection settings are hardcoded to allow a maximum
> of 9 concurrent connections. Check in Terminal Services
> Configuration - rdp-tcp connection properties - network
>
> b) your server is configured to use the "Per Server" licensing mode
> for OS licensing, and you are running out of server CALs, not TS
> CALs. Server CALs are per concurrent connection. Check in Control
> Panel - Licensing applet. If that's the problem, make sure that you
> have enough server CALs for all connecting devices and then disable
> the Licensing Logging Service completely. Documented here:
>
> 824196 - Description of the License Logging Service in Windows
> Server Operating Systems
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=824196
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Vera Noest
> MCSE, CCEA, Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server
> TS troubleshooting: http://ts.veranoest.net
> ___ please respond in newsgroup, NOT by private email ___
>
> =?Utf-8?B?SlNtaXRo?= <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote on
> 28 mar 2008 in microsoft.public.windows.terminal_services:
>
> > Thanks for the quick reply, however, Microsoft states:
> >
> > "A Terminal Server Client Access License (TS CAL) is required to
> > use Terminal Server or otherwise host a remote graphical user
> > interface (GUI) session, except for a console session."
> >
> > See:
> > (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing/ov
> > erview.mspx)
> >
> > As far as I understand, using "mstsc /console" is using a
> > console session. Am I missing something?
> >
> >
> >
> > "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
> >
> >> JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >> > We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per
> >> > device). Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we
> >> > are unable to connect to the server console using "mstsc
> >> > /console" from a 10th management computer. However, if we
> >> > log out 1 client computer then we are able to connect. We
> >> > need to be able to remote control the 9 sessions from the
> >> > management computer.
> >> >
> >> > Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
> >> > RDP Client: version 6
> >> > Management computer OS: Windows XP
> >> > Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via
> >> > RDP
> >>
> >> I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
>
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

Great! I'm glad that your problem is solved, and thanks for the
feedback!
_________________________________________________________
Vera Noest
MCSE, CCEA, Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server
TS troubleshooting: http://ts.veranoest.net
___ please respond in newsgroup, NOT by private email ___

=?Utf-8?B?SlNtaXRo?= <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote on
31 mar 2008 in microsoft.public.windows.terminal_services:

> THANK YOU!!!!!!! It turned out to be the rdp-tcp connection
> settings. I really appreciate your time and help with this
> issue.
>
> "Vera Noest [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> You are right, JSmith, a console session never uses or needs a
>> TS CAL. And moreover, TS CALs are not per concurrent
>> connection, so if you would run short of TS CALs, logging out
>> one client would not enable another client to log on.
>>
>> So the problem that you have is *not* related to TS CALs at
>> all. I can think of two reasons for the behaviour that you see
>> and you should be able to verify which one applies to you by
>> checking the EventLog on the server:
>>
>> a) the rdp-tcp connection settings are hardcoded to allow a
>> maximum of 9 concurrent connections. Check in Terminal Services
>> Configuration - rdp-tcp connection properties - network
>>
>> b) your server is configured to use the "Per Server" licensing
>> mode for OS licensing, and you are running out of server CALs,
>> not TS CALs. Server CALs are per concurrent connection. Check
>> in Control Panel - Licensing applet. If that's the problem,
>> make sure that you have enough server CALs for all connecting
>> devices and then disable the Licensing Logging Service
>> completely. Documented here:
>>
>> 824196 - Description of the License Logging Service in Windows
>> Server Operating Systems
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=824196
>>
>> _________________________________________________________
>> Vera Noest
>> MCSE, CCEA, Microsoft MVP - Terminal Server
>> TS troubleshooting: http://ts.veranoest.net
>> ___ please respond in newsgroup, NOT by private email ___
>>
>> =?Utf-8?B?SlNtaXRo?= <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
>> on 28 mar 2008 in microsoft.public.windows.terminal_services:
>>
>> > Thanks for the quick reply, however, Microsoft states:
>> >
>> > "A Terminal Server Client Access License (TS CAL) is required
>> > to use Terminal Server or otherwise host a remote graphical
>> > user interface (GUI) session, except for a console session."
>> >
>> > See:
>> > (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/howtobuy/licensing
>> > /ov erview.mspx)
>> >
>> > As far as I understand, using "mstsc /console" is using a
>> > console session. Am I missing something?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>> >
>> >> JSmith <JSmith@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>> >> > We purchased 9 terminal server licenses (setup as per
>> >> > device). Whenever all 9 client computers are logged in, we
>> >> > are unable to connect to the server console using "mstsc
>> >> > /console" from a 10th management computer. However, if we
>> >> > log out 1 client computer then we are able to connect. We
>> >> > need to be able to remote control the 9 sessions from the
>> >> > management computer.
>> >> >
>> >> > Server: Windows 2003 Server x64
>> >> > RDP Client: version 6
>> >> > Management computer OS: Windows XP
>> >> > Client computer OS: HP thin client (t5135) connecting via
>> >> > RDP
>> >>
>> >> I think you'll need another TS CAL for this.
 
Re: Problem with Licensing and "mstsc /console"

Vera Noest [MVP] <vera.noest@remove-this.hem.utfors.se> wrote:
> You are right, JSmith, a console session never uses or needs a TS
> CAL. And moreover, TS CALs are not per concurrent connection, so if
> you would run short of TS CALs, logging out one client would not
> enable another client to log on.

<cough>

I knew that.

<nibbles on hatbrim quietly>
>

<snipp>
 
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