Remote Administrative Connections (“mstsc /admin”) to the XenApp Server Consumes a Terminal Service License
Article ID: CTX200945
Updated On:
Description
When you connect to the XenApp server using "mstsc /admin" option, RD license is consumed if XenApp is installed. If XenApp is not installed, you can connect to server (maximum two sessions) by "mstsc /admin" without consuming RD license.
Background
Terminal Service license is not required if creating remote administrative connections (“mstsc /admin”) for maximum two concurrent sessions. For more information, refer to Overview of Remote Desktop Licensing.Important: Remote Desktop supports two concurrent connections to remotely administer a computer. You do not need a license server for these connections.
Refer to Command line parameters for Remote Desktop Connection.
Normal remote connection: “mstsc”
Remote administrative connection: “mstsc /admin”
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Prepare a server (Windows2008R2) in the environment where you do not have RD license server.
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Ensure you can connect to server using mstsc /admin without RD license.
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Install XenApp on the server.
You cannot connect to the server using "mstsc /admin". -
Add RD license server in the environment.
You can now connect to the server using "mstsc /admin".
Resolution
This issue is by design of Windows 2008 R2 or later.
Problem Cause
Windows Remote Desktop Service allows two concurrent remote administrative connections through the Windows built-in RDP which do not consume RD licenses.
Any connection through third party RDS procotol (for example, XenApp RDP proxy protocol extension) consumes a RD license, even though the connection is made using “mstsc /admin”.
Issue/Introduction
