Q. What's the length of the grace period where I can run a Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktop Services (RDS) host without it requiring valid RDS CALs from a licensing server?

A. When the RDS Host role is enabled on a server, many user connections to the server are possible, providing an RDS CAL can be assigned to the user or device (depending on configuration) from a licensing server. A newly deployed RDS host can accept connections for a grace period of 120 days before a valid CAL must be available from a licensing server. This 120-day grace period is the same for Windows Server 2008, 2003 R2, and 2003. Windows 2000 had a grace period of 90 days.