Microsoft/KMS

KMS Server

Key Management Service (KMS) allows organizations to activate systems within their own network, while MAK activates systems on a one-time basis, using Microsoft’s hosted activation services. [1]

Installation

1. Install Server 2003 SP2 (or R2)
2. Install KMS 1.1
3. Install KMS 1.2 update
4. Install 'VOLUME_KMS_R2_C channel' host key license
   • slmgr /ipk [KEY]
5. Activate host key license
   • slmgr /ato
6. Modify DNS to have SRV record point to KMS server
   • kms IN A 10.10.10.100
   • _vlmcs._tcp IN SRV 0 100 1688 kms.oeey.com.
   • Microsoft: Forward Lookup Zones -> [domain] -> _tcp -> Other New Records... -> Service Location (SRV) -> Create Record...
     • Service: _vlmcs | Protocol: _tcp | Priority: 0 | Weight: 100 | Port number: 1688 | Host offering this service: kms.oeey.com. (note the ending period)
7. Have clients get domain name from DHCP Server or set Host name DNS domain name manually
8. Activate clients
   • slmgr /ato
   • or Through GUI activation
9. Meet the 25 minimum requirement for activation to take affect (VMs do not count to minimum)

Check:

dig SRV _vlmcs._tcp.oeey.com
  ;; ANSWER SECTION:
  _vlmcs._tcp.oeey.com. 3600 IN SRV 0 0 1688 kms.oeey.com.

Temporary Workaround

KMS auto discovery is failing on oeey.com domain:

Temp workaroun:

Set kms server:

slmgr /skms 10.10.10.100:1688

Activate license:

slmgr /ato

Rearm temporary license if needed:

slmgr /rearm

To clear later:

slmgr /ckms

Usage

KMS Server

Run commands from here:

cd C:\WINDOWS\System32\

Show license count:

cscript slmgr.vbs /dli

Key Management Service is enabled on this machine
    Current count: 42

Show license count with additional details:

cscript slmgr.vbs /dlv

licensecount.bat:

@echo off
REM Scripted by Kenneth Burgener <kenneth.burgener@oeey.com> 2010
echo.
echo.
echo Counting licenses, please wait...
echo.
echo.
cscript //Nologo slmgr.vbs -dli
echo.
pause

KMS Client

WARNING: MAKE SURE YOUR TIME IS ACRUATE!

This is for Vista, Windows 7, Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2 clients

DNS: Modify DNS to have SRV record point to KMS server:

kms IN A 10.10.10.100
_vlmcs._tcp IN SRV 0 100 1688 kms.oeey.com. 

nslookup:

set type=SRV
_vlmcs._tcp.oeey.com

_vlmcs._tcp.testhost.oeey.com      SRV service location:
          priority       = 0
          weight         = 100
          port           = 1688
          svr hostname   = kms.oeey.com
kms.oeey.com internet address = 10.10.10.100

Manually point to KMS server:

slmgr /skms 10.10.10.100:1688

Activate client:

slmgr /ato

Notes

See Microsoft/KMS/Notes

keywords

Vista Windows Server 2008 W2K8 W2K8R2 License Server KMS MAK