Nicholas A. HayTechnology DirectorJeff erson Schoolsnhay@jeff erson.k12.mi.us

KEY MANAGEMENT SERVICES

Previous Microsoft Volume License products did not require activation.

Starting with Windows Vista, Windows 2008 Server, and Offi ce 2010, Microsoft required Volume Activation (VA).

Product activation is used to cut down on software piracy.

Data sent during activation cannot be traced to a computer or user.

WHAT IS KMS?

Two types of product activation:

MAK – Multiple Activation Key One time activation using Microsoft’s hosted activation

services. Recommended for fewer than 50 PC’s. Good for computers that are not on domain or onsite. Limited quantities of activations allowed.

KMS – Key Management Services Activation within own network

It may be necessary to use both types of activation in your environment.

KMS vs. MAK

Windows 2008 Server is NOT supported to activate Windows 7 and Offi ce 2010 Note: A patch is available for 2008 server to activate

Windows 7 machines, but you need a Windows 2008 R2 KMS key on the server.

Windows 2003 Server can be used as a KMS host for Windows 7, Windows 2008 R2 servers, and Offi ce 2010. You must install KMS 1.2.

Physical or virtual servers are supported

Each KMS host key can be installed on up to 6 hosts. Each of these hosts can be reactivated 9 more times. If more activations are needed, a call to the Activation Call Center is required.

KMS SERVER REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of KMS clients must contact the host server before activation occurs. It will appear at first that activation has failed on the client. Windows OS and Servers – minimum 5 before successful activation Offi ce – minimum 25 before successful activation

Each client must connect at least once in every 180 days to renew the activation KMS client activation, by default, will attempt to connect every 7

days. If activation fails, the client will retry every 2 hours. After activation, the validity interval begins again.

Windows 2008 R2 KMS Host key will activate Windows 7 KMS clients.

By default, computers that are running Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, or Offi ce 2010 are preinstalled using the KMS client keys, so no additional configuration is needed. You do not need to type in a product key during installation.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The KMS client keys are generic. Below is the list of KMS keys for the various Microsoft products.

Windows OS and Server KMS Client Keys

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793421.aspx

Offi ce 2010 KMS Client Keys

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624355.aspx

KMS CLIENT KEYS

VAMT 2.0 (Volume Activation Management Tool) – MMC Plugin Discover Windows and Offi ce installations in environment Deploy Product Keys and Activate http://

www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=11936

Command Line Tool Slmgr.bat – works for both KMS and MAK keys

Install Key slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx Activate Key: slmgr.vbs /ato KMS Summary slmgr.vbs –dli KMS All Products Summary slmgr.vbs –dli all

Can run this remotely if you type slmgr.vbs <servername/ip> ... You can specifiy the DNS name manually to the KMS server by typing

slmgr.vbs –skms <servername> and then running the slmgr.vbs /ato to activate server.

TOOLS

Microsoft KMS Installation Video http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ff716620

Install the KMS key on a host Keys can be found on the volume licensing website

http://licensing.microsoft.com

Activate Service and this wil l update your DNS with a SRV record. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793434.aspx for more info

about DNS. See http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793405.aspx if you need

to manually create DNS entries.

KMS Clients wil l automatically look for a KMS host using DNS.

NOTE: You must ensure Key Management Service is opened on the fi rewall if is enabled.

INSTALL WINDOWS KMS HOST

2 steps is all it takes! Install KMS Host key on server:

slmgr.vbs /ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx Activate key

slmgr.vbs /ato When a KMS host key is activated, the DNS SRV key is added to

the DNS server in your environment. Ensure this key is installed before trying to activate your clients.

INSTALL WIN KMS HOST VIA CMD LINE

The Offi ce 2010 KMS host can be installed on the same Windows KMS Host server.

Download the Offi ce 2010 Host License Pack http://

www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=25095

During installation, you will be prompted to install the Offi ce 2010 KMS host key.

That’s it!

INSTALLING OFFICE 2010 KMS HOST

Run slmgr.vbs /dli all on KMS host server. After running this command, a window will appear with the

data. Usually, there is too much data to view on the screen. If you press Ctrl+C, it will copy all the contents of the window to the clipboard, which you can paste in notepad for better viewing. Below is a screenshot that will show each product KMS key installed and how many total requests were received. When testing, pay close attention to this to ensure your software is trying to activate with the server.

VERIFICATION

In Offi ce 2010, if you click on the File menu > Help, you can verify that your Offi ce 2010 is activated successfully, as you can see below.

OFFICE 2010 STATUS

Contact Info

Nicholas A. HayTechnology DirectorJeff erson Schoolsnhay@jeff erson.k12.mi.us

QUESTIONS?