It is important to note that CALs are only required for Windows Server 2016 Standard and Datacenter editions. For Windows Server 2016 Essentials edition, CALs are not required.

Does Windows Server 2016 come with CALs?

The Windows Server 2016 licensing model includes both Cores + Client Access Licenses (CALs). Each user and/or device accessing a licensed Windows Server Standard, Datacenter, or Multipoint edition requires a Windows Server CAL or Windows Server and Remote Desktop Services CAL.

What is included in Windows Server 2016 Essentials?

– Apart from the core Windows Server functionality, Windows Server 2016 includes the following new and upgraded features:

• Nano Server.
• Windows Server containers.
• Active Directory Domain Services.
• Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)
• Hyper-V containers/Operating System Environments (OSEs)
• Windows Defender.