I’m trying to figure out what licenses I need to get a full Windows Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) up and running with the Remote Desktop Service (RDS) roles.
I have Win.Server 2012 running Hyper-V, which has about 10 different virtual machines (VM) with either Win.7 or Win.8 installed on it. These VMs will act as virtual desktops (VD) for about 200 people to remotely access and use.
My question is, what licenses do I need to support this scenario?
So far, I’m planning to purchase a few Windows Server 2012 Standard Edition with 10 Client Access Licenses ( $1414.19 each). I’m assuming that’s 1 license for the server and 10 Client Access Licenses (CAL) for users who will access the VDs. I’m also planning to buy about 200 RDS CALs ($149 each) for the rest of the users to access the VDs. Do I need to buy additional licenses for each VM image I create (the 10 images I mentioned earlier)? These VMs are in a pooled virtual desktop collection, so they reset themselves when users disconnect from them. If I have personal desktop collections which give unique desktops to each user and saves their settings, will my license have to change if I have that too?
At first I thought just buying the RDS CALs will allow me to install windows where ever I want, how many times I want and all I have to worry about is paying for the client access, but do I need to pay for the OS as well? So essentially I’m doubling the license?
A side question not really related is, if I have Windows Thin PC, (which was said to come free if I have SA with another product) and bought the Windows Server license, does that come with SA and I can install Windows Thin PC as many times as I want
on which ever desktop I have that will connect to this VDI system?