FAQ for licensing
Note:
For business continuity resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic, see CTX27055.
For general information about maintaining business continuity, see Business continuity — on demand.
For more information about the current Citrix License Server, see Licensing.
Citrix licensing
How can I get my license file?
We send the license access code in an email. There are three ways to generate license files using the license access code:
- The Manage Licenses from your MyAccount page on
citrix.com. For more information, see Manage licenses on citrix.com. - Citrix Studio to allocate your purchase and the license file automatically installs on your Citrix License Server.
- Citrix Licensing Manager within the Citrix License Server to allocate your purchase and install your license file. For more information, see Install icenses.
How to allocate license on myaccount?
See Allocate licenses.
How to add allocated licenses to the license server?
See Modify licenses.
What TCP ports does Citrix licensing use?
- License Server port number is 27000
- Vendor daemon port number is 7279
- Management console web port is 8082
- Web Service for Licensing port is 8083
What is the Citrix License Server?
The Citrix License Server is a system that allows licenses to be shared across the network. For more information, see Licensing operations overview.
Can I virtualize or cluster the Citrix License Server?
Yes. You can virtualize or cluster the Citrix License Server. For more information, see Clustered License Servers.
What benefits are available to me if I virtualize the Citrix License Server?
Virtualizing the Citrix License Server provides a redundant solution. That solution allows for mobility between multiple physical servers without the need for downtime.
Are there any limitations to consider if I virtualize the Citrix License Server?
No.
Does the Citrix License Server manage all the licenses for my Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops deployment?
The Citrix License Server manages all licenses you receive for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop, except licenses in the Premium Edition used with Citrix Gateway. License servers built in to the network appliances as required for those security-oriented network devices manage those licenses.
What is the Citrix Licensing Manager?
The Citrix Licensing Manager enables downloading and allocation of license files from the License Server on which you installed the Citrix Licensing Manager. The Citrix Licensing Manager is the recommended License Server management method, which enables the following:
- Short code registration of the License Server to Citrix Cloud and easy removal of registration.
- Configure user and group accounts.
- Use the dashboard to display installed, in-use, expired and available licenses, and Customer Success Services dates.
- Export license use data for use in reporting.
- Configure the historical use data retention period. Default data retention period is 180 days.
- Simplified installation of license files on the License Server using a license access code or downloaded file.
- Enable and disable the License burst mode.
- Configure Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) and Call Home.
- Automatically or manually checks for Customer Success Services renewal licenses and notifies you or installs the licenses if found.
- Notifies you of the License Server state - Missing startup license, time issues, uploader failures.
- Modify these ports:
- License Server (default 27000)
- Vendor Daemon (default 7279)
- Web Services for Licensing (default 8083)
For more information, see Citrix Licensing Manager.
Where is the Citrix License Administration Console?
The License Administration Console is no longer supported and was removed from the License Server version 11.16.6. We recommend you use the Citrix Licensing Manager.
You can use Studio to manage and track licensing, provided the License Server is in the same domain as Studio, or in a trusted domain.
For more information, see Citrix Licensing Manager.
What is the license assignment period?
The license assignment period is the term that a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops license is assigned to a user or device. The default license assignment period is 90 days.
How do I know how many licenses my organization has purchased?
All purchased licenses are available to review and access at any time (24x7) from your secure Manage Licenses toolbox on your My Account page on https://www.citrix.com.
How do I know how many licenses are in use at any time?
The Citrix Licensing Manager and Studio provide details on real time license use.
License Server disaster recovery and maintenance
For information about disaster recovery and maintenance of your License Server, see Disaster recovery and maintenance in the Citrix Licensing documentation.
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licensing
How is Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licensed?
The Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licensing offers user/device and concurrent license models.
User/device:
The flexible user/device model aligns with:
- Enterprise-wide desktop usage.
- Underlying Microsoft desktop virtualization licensing.
- Concurrent licensing for customers with users needing only occasional access to their virtual desktops and apps.
User/device licensing gives users access to their virtual desktops and apps from an unlimited number of devices. Device licenses give an unlimited number of user’s access to their virtual desktops and apps from a single device. This approach provides you with maximum flexibility and improves alignment with Microsoft desktop virtualization licensing.
Important:
You can’t manually allocate licenses to a user or device. The License Server or cloud service assigns licenses. With user/device licensing, once a license is assigned it can’t be assigned to another user until after 90 days of inactivity.
Concurrent:
Concurrent licenses allow one connection to an unlimited number of virtual apps and desktops for any user and any device. A license is consumed only during an active session. If the session disconnects or is terminated, the license is checked back into the pool.
For more information about user/device licensing, see User/device license and concurrent licenses see, Concurrent license.
Is it possible to try Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops before purchasing licenses?
Yes. You can download the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops software and run it in trial mode. Trial mode lets you use Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops on-premises for 30 days, for 10 connections, without a license. For more information, see Evaluation licenses.
Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) for Citrix Cloud is available for trial service based on approval. Check with your Citrix representative for further details.
How does Citrix define concurrency for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops?
The Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops concurrent model allows one connection to an unlimited number of virtual apps and desktops for any user and any device. A license is consumed only during an active session. If the session disconnects or is terminated, the license is checked back into the pool for reissue. For more information, see Concurrent license.
Can I deploy multiple editions of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licenses on a common License Server?
Yes. The License Server manages licenses for both Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops simultaneously. We recommend that you install the latest License Server version. If you are unsure if your License Server version is current, verify it by comparing your version with the number on the Citrix downloads site.
Can a single site use both Citrix Virtual Apps and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licenses?
Depending on the version, a single Citrix Virtual Apps or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops site can support both licensing models - user/device or concurrent. A single Citrix Virtual Apps or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops site can support only one edition. For more information, see Multi-type licensing.
The minimum versions that support multi-type licensing are XenApp and XenDesktop 7.15 Long Term Service Release (LTSR) and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 1808.
Can I select Citrix Virtual Apps concurrent as a product model if I have Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops user/device or Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops concurrent licenses installed on the License Server?
If you use Citrix Virtual Apps as a feature of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced or Premium Edition, your Citrix Virtual Apps license model is the same as your Advanced or Premium Edition of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. If you have purchased Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, configure your licensing as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops even if you plan to use only the Citrix Virtual Apps functionality. Select Citrix Virtual Apps as a product model only if you have Citrix Virtual Apps concurrent standalone licenses installed on the License Server.
What product components are included with each Citrix Virtual Apps and Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops edition?
For a full feature matrix by edition, see Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops features.
How do I license Citrix Virtual Desktops environments in compliance with the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops EULA?
To deploy Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops under the user/device or the concurrent license model in compliance with the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops EULA, apply the license files to your License Server. The License Server then controls and monitors license compliance. We recommend that you configure your product based on what you purchased. For example, if you purchase Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Premium but only want to use the Citrix Virtual Apps feature, configure the product to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops to meet compliance. For more information, see the Product License Compliance Center.
How do I license Citrix Virtual Apps environments in compliance with the Citrix Virtual Apps EULA?
To deploy Citrix Virtual Apps under the concurrent license model in compliance with the Citrix Virtual Apps EULA, apply the license files to your License Server. The License Server then controls and monitors license compliance.
Is there a licensing requirement for Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Servicing Options: Long Term Service Release (LTSR) or Current Release (CR)?
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Servicing Options, such as Long-Term Service Release, are a benefit of the Customer Success Services program. You must have active Customer Success Services to qualify for the benefits of LTSR. For more information, see [Citrix Virtual Apps, Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, and Citrix Hypervisor Servicing Options.
How do the Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) Service pooled hours work?
When you purchase a minimum of 25 users of the service, you receive 5000 of hours of rights to use the service, pooled across all users. Subsequent purchases of user rights don’t increase the pooled hours entitlement. To increase the entitlement of service hours, buy add-on packs.
Can I use Remote PC Access with CCU licenses?
Yes.
For information about Remote PC Access, see Remote PC Access.
User or device licenses
How does Citrix allocate licenses to users in the user/device licensing model?
With the user/device license model, the License Server assigns the license to a unique user ID. It allows that single user unlimited connections from unlimited devices. If a user connects to a desktop or device, the user requires one license assigned to that user to access a virtual desktop or application. The License Server or cloud service assigns the license. You can’t assign these licenses manually. The license is assigned to the user, not the shared device. Once a license is assigned, it can’t be assigned to another user until after 90 days of inactivity. For more information, see User/Device license.
How does Citrix define a licensed device in the user/device licensing model?
A licensed device requires a unique endpoint device ID. Under the user/device model, a device is any piece of equipment that you authorized for use by any individuals to access instances of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. For a shared device, a single Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops user/device license can support multiple users that share the device. For example, a shared device can be a classroom workstation or a clinical workstation in a hospital.
Can I convert my Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition concurrent licenses to the user/device model?
You cannot convert Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition concurrent licenses to Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition user/device licenses. Similarly, you cannot convert Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition user/device licenses to Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition concurrent licenses.
If you have Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition concurrent licenses and you want the user/device license model, upgrade to either Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced or Premium Edition.
| From | To Standard concurrent | To Standard user/device | To Advanced user/device | To Premium user/device |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition concurrent licenses | N/A | Concurrent to user/device conversion NOT allowed | You cannot convert license models, but you can upgrade to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced or Premium Edition. | You cannot convert license models, but you can upgrade to Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced or Premium Edition. |
| Citrix Virtual Desktops Standard Edition user/device licenses | User/device to concurrent conversion NOT allowed | N/A | N/A | N/A |
How does concurrent licensing work differently from user/device licensing?
We base concurrent licensing on concurrent device connections. A concurrent license is in use only when a device has established an active connection. Once the connection ends, the concurrent license returns to the license pool for immediate use. We recommend this licensing model for occasional usage. User/device licenses are leased for a period and are not available for other users until the lease expires.
Under the user/device model, can we allocate licenses to both users and devices in the same enterprise?
Yes. Both types can be present in the same enterprise. The License Server optimally assigns licenses to users or devices based on usage. You can’t assign these licenses manually.
How do I decide how many users or devices to license?
Assess the use case requirements to determine the appropriate number of licenses. User/device licensing enables unlimited access to unlimited virtual desktops and virtual apps from an unlimited number of devices. Concurrent licensing enables unlimited access to unlimited virtual desktops and virtual apps from a single device that an unlimited number of users can use. Consider the following formula:
(Number of total users) – (number of users that only access exclusively
with shared devices) + (number shared devices) = total number
of licenses to buy.
For example, there are 1000 total users at the hospital. If 700 of them access only
Citrix Virtual Desktops from 300 shared devices in the hospital, the number of
licenses to purchase is 1000 – 700 + 300 = 600 licenses.
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Under the user/device model, what is the maximum number of devices a licensed user can use to connect to my environment?
Each licensed user is entitled to use an unlimited number of connected or offline devices.
Under the user/device model, what is the maximum number of users who can access a licensed device?
Each licensed device can service an unlimited number of users within an organization.
Under the user/device model, what is the maximum number of virtual desktops or RBI web applications a licensed user can consume at any given time?
Each licensed user can connect to an unlimited number of virtual desktops or web applications.
Can I purchase Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licenses to increase the number of licensed users/devices in my existing Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops environment?
Yes. You can purchase Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licenses to increase the number of licensed users/devices in your existing Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops environment.
How do I release an authorized user/device license?
To release the assignment of an authorized user/device, use the udadmin utility in accordance with the EULA terms. The License Server then assigns the license to the next appropriate user/device. For more information, see Display or release licenses for users or devices.
What happens if I exceed my purchased user/device license count?
User/device licenses include a 10% overdraft, which is included when licenses are generated. The overdraft is also included in the installed license count. If the usage spike exceeds the installed count including overdraft, access for more users is denied. Purchase and deploy a new license to enable access for more users.
If all licenses are in use, including the license overdraft, the License burst mode enables unlimited connections to a product. The License burst mode gives you time to determine why you exceeded the maximum license count and to purchase more licenses without disrupting your users. This period lasts until 15 days elapses or you install more retail licenses, whichever comes first. For more information, see License burst mode.
Director displays the License caching mode states. For more information, see Panels on the Director Dashboard.
What is the maximum number of virtual applications a licensed user can consume at any given time?
Each licensed user can connect to an unlimited number of virtual applications.
What happens if a licensed user leaves my organization?
When an existing licensed user leaves your organization, you can release the departing user’s license without notifying Citrix. Use the udadmin utility to release the license. If you don’t release the license, the License Server automatically releases any license after 90 days of inactivity. This information is subject to the terms specified in the EULA.
What happens if a licensed user is absent for a protracted period?
If an existing licensed user is absent for a protracted period, you can release the license without notifying Citrix, so that it becomes available for reassignment. Use the udadmin utility to release the license.
What happens if we replace a licensed device in my organization?
If you replace an existing licensed device, you can release the license without notifying Citrix so that it becomes available for reassignment. Use the udadmin utility to release the license.
What happens if a licensed device is out of service for an extended period?
When an existing licensed device is out of service for an extended period, you can release the license without notifying Citrix, so that it becomes available for reassignment. Use the udadmin utility to release the licenses. If you don’t release the license, the License Server automatically releases any license after 90 days of inactivity. This information is subject to the terms specified in the EULA.
Can I switch user licenses to device licenses and conversely after I’ve assigned the licenses to a device or user?
Yes. This change happens automatically. The License Server assigns licenses to either users or devices based on usage patterns. If usage patterns change, the License Server might switch the assignment based on the new usage. The License Server always assigns licenses in the most economical fashion for the customer. Also, the License Server monitors licenses to identify unused licenses after their 90-day assignment period. You can reassign licenses identified as unused after the 90-day assignment period to other users or devices.
Concurrent licenses
Under the concurrent model, what is the maximum number of virtual desktops a Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops licensed user can consume at any given time?
An endpoint can service many users and allows for unlimited connections.
Can I deploy concurrent licenses from a previous version of Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and new user/device or concurrent licenses to a single License Server?
Yes. You can continue to use the same License Server to support user/device or concurrent licensed deployments.
Can I deploy concurrent licenses and user/device or concurrent licenses to a single License Server?
Yes. You can continue to use the same License Server to support concurrent and user/device or concurrent licensed deployments.
Do Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced and Premium editions include Citrix Virtual Apps concurrent licenses?
Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops Advanced and Premium user/device licenses include concurrent Citrix Virtual Apps licenses for compatibility only. These concurrent licenses are for use only with earlier product versions that are incompatible with user/device licenses. Use of the concurrent compatibility licenses included with user/device licenses is permissible only with these versions - XenApp versions earlier than 6.5 and XenDesktop versions earlier than 5.0 Service Pack 1.
What happens if I exceed my purchased concurrent license count?
If all licenses are in use, the License burst mode enables unlimited connections to a product. The License burst mode gives you time to determine why you exceeded the maximum license count and to purchase more licenses without disrupting your users. This period lasts until 15 days elapses or you install more retail licenses, whichever comes first. For more information, see License burst mode.
Director displays the License caching mode states. For more information, see Panels on the Director Dashboard.
Overdraft licenses
How do I get overdraft licenses?
Products (excluding Citrix Cloud) that support user/device, user, or device license models include a license overdraft feature that enables you to use a limited number of extra licenses to prevent access denial. We offer any overdraft feature as a convenience, not as a license entitlement. Concurrent and server licenses do not contain overdraft. Any overdraft licenses used must be purchased within 30 days of first use, but use is not limited to 30 days. Citrix reserves the right to remove any overdraft feature in new product releases. For more information, see License overdraft.
How can I identify a license overdraft?
You can view usage information, including the number of licenses in overdraft in the Citrix Licensing Manager. Studio also contains overdraft usage information.
What happens when an overdraft license is consumed?
A license is assigned from your installed licenses to enable access to your Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops environment. This overdraft license provides as much access and functionality as your other licenses.
Can I get an alert when my overdraft licenses are consumed?
Currently, there are no specific alerts provided when overdraft licenses are consumed.
How long can an overdraft license be consumed?
Purchase any overdraft licenses used within 30 days of the first use.