First server Cals do not expire unless they were purchased thru an open value program. If they were OEM or thru Open Business they do not expire. You may want to talk to a local reseller or one of the Microsoft Green Guys here for help.
What is a Windows Server Cal?
A Windows Server CAL is a license that allows customers to access Windows Server. CALs are used in conjunction with Microsoft Windows Server OS licenses to allow Users and/or Devices to access and utilize the services of that server OS.
Microsoft Windows Server Client Access Licenses (CALs) A Windows Server CAL is a license that allows customers to access Windows Server. CALs are used in conjunction with Microsoft Windows Server OS licenses to allow Users and/or Devices to access and utilize the services of that server OS.
Does windows server datacenter require cals?
Windows Server Standard and Datacenter editions continue to require Windows Server CALs for every user or device accessing a server (see the Product Terms for exceptions), or Windows Server External Connector licenses for servers accessed by external users.
You might be wondering “What CALs are available for Windows Server 2016?”
RDS User and RDS Device CALs are available in packs of 5 CALs. Windows Server CALs must be the same version as—or higher than—the server software they are accessing. In other words, users or devices accessing a server running Windows Server 2016 must have Windows Server 2016 CALs.
This begs the inquiry “Does Essentials Edition require Windows Server CALs to access the server?”
One common answer is, essentials edition is licensed under the Specialty Servers license model and does not require Windows Server CALs to access the server. * For more details about the Per Core/CAL license model, please see the licensing brief, Introduction to Microsoft Core licensing.
Do I need an RDS Cal for Windows Server 2019 standard?
Thanks for your feedback! This person is a verified professional. Verify your account to enable IT peers to see that you are a professional. Please show me a link to a Microsoft-authored doc that says “For remote administration purposes, you do NOT need an RDS CAL.” for Windows Server 2019 Standard.
RDS CALS are required for users or devices that want to utilize Remote Desktop Service functionality on Windows Server. Regular User or Device CALs are required in addition to the RDS User or RDS Device CALs.