kms server -how necessary is this

[blade1000]

All-

Built 4 win2k8 64 bit std servers using my co.'s volume license.. I need to activate these servers and receiving messages from the OS that it can't locate a kms server.

Is this the only way to activate these servers? is so, is kms a server role on 2008? or a separate download.

thanks for any info

blade

 

[58sniper]

Go through the process of re-entering the product key, and it should allow you to activate.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[kmcferrin]

Starting with Vista and 2008 there are now two types of license keys for Windows. They are KMS (Key Management Server) and MAK (Multiple Activation Key). If you use a MAK key to license your systems then they will phone home to Microsoft's servers for activation. If you use the KMS key technique you will require an internal server to be configured as a KMS. Full details can be found here:

http://blogs.microsoft.co.il/blogs/...t-server-kms-fast-activation-walkthrough.aspx

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Windows 7
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MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator

 

[58sniper]

You can still re-enter the KMS key and have it phone home. After it tells you it couldn't find a KMS server, go through the manual activation process, choose the option to enter a different key. Enter the same key used previously.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/

 

[blade1000]

Thats great guys..

So how can I kick off the activation process, it doesn't always seem to come up in the little sys tray window but I know in fact that the servers are due to be activated..

thanks again

blade

 

[58sniper]

Right click Computer>Properties. It's at the bottom.

Pat Richard MVP
Plan for performance, and capacity takes care of itself. Plan for capacity, and suffer poor performance.

http://www.ucblogs.net/blogs/exchange/