CAL licences for multiple users connecting to one server

[Xire]

Hey guys,

I was hoping you could help.

I have been tasked with setting up multiple connections to a variety of servers we have in our environment. Problem is we have a variety of servers on different versions. Has had anyone ever had any experience in purchasing CAL licences for this need? We have a variety of 2012, 2016 and 2019 servers. I know the licences differ depending on version and 2012 licences look hard to come by. Ive read some stuff on buying 2019 licences and downgrading them? but im not really 100% sure how I should be approaching this.

Any info would be good, thanks!

 

[Xire]

so a 2019 licence should work on a 2012 or 2016 box?

 

[Xire]

These are Microsoft licenses, right? And all the servers are in one AD Forest? Then just buy 2019 licenses and install them on a DC. Microsoft allow downlevelling of licenses.

Yes they are microsoft licences but not on the same AD forest, they are on various networks that arent our own. We VPN to the servers that are our own on a clients infrastructure.