Windows Terminal Services is a technology that lets you remotely execute applications on a Windows 2003-based server from a wide range of devices over virtually any type of network connection. Clients are available for a wide variety of operating systems — including older versions of Windows and Mac OS X — and can be downloaded from Microsoft's Web site. They will be able to run applications on the Windows 2003 Server in a window on the terminal.

Important: Windows 2003 Server Standard or Windows 2003 Server Enterprise are also required for this product, along with Windows Server User CALs or Device CALs. This license does not require media.

This technology is included in Windows 2003 Server, but a Windows Terminal Services Client Access License is required for each device accessing Windows 2003 Terminal Services. This is in addition to the Windows 2003 Server Client Access License that is required for each device accessing the Windows Server.

With Windows 2003, Terminal Services is licensed on a per-device or per-user basis (it is not available on a per-server/concurrent basis). This CAL is for licensing per Device, User CALs are a separate item. A User CAL allows access for one user regardless of device used (i.e. an employee who accesses the Server from work and from home), a Device CAL allows access for one computer regardless of the number of users (i.e. a shared workstation). Previously, all CAL accounting was per Device. OS equivalency has been removed from 2003 Terminal Services Licensing.