Move KMS Server from 2003 to 2012R2

[AJWhite1970]

Hi

 

Last job with 2003 before it's finally decommissioned...

 

I need to move my KMS server that has faithfully sat on 2003 (activating Windows 7 and Office) to a new 2012R2 DC. I've seen lots of conflicting advice on the interweb as to how best to do this, does anyone have an idiots guide for an idiot to follow? I have the KMS keys from the old server so hopefully shouldn't take long...?

 

Cheers

Andrew

[Badaz52]

I too need to do this in my case it will be 2008 R2 to 2012 R2. Windows 7 activation and office 2013 activation is currently being done by this box so any advise would be brill

[Badaz52]

The way I did this is setup the new server with the volume activation services role, add the keys required and when done either change the _vlmcs to point to our new server or delete the old one leaving the new one behind. Machines activated on 2003 will continue to work until their next activation check at which point they should then sync with your new server. I had no issues and if anything KMS is working better than it ever did on 2008 R2.

 

Not sure how many licenses you activate, for us it is just Windows & Office.

Edited August 13, 2015 by Badaz52

[timbo343]

I used to have VAMT on a 2008 server but when i moved things over to a 2012r2 box i just used the command line, it was easier like this. Run the demote command (or whatever its called) on the old server then authorise it on the new server.

 

See this site http://thelazyadmin.com/2010/12/migrating-kms-servers/ and my thread on this http://www.edugeek.net/forums/windows-server-2012/152034-moving-kms-2008r2-2012r2.html

Edited August 13, 2015 by timbo343

[caffrey]

I had issues when I moved ours as the clients were still pointing to the old KMS server regardless of the DNS settings

Luckily I had kept the vamt 2.0 server and there's an option there (which isn't on 3.0) to KMS activate where you can specify the KMS server (Right click on the machine and KMS activate then specify the new server) then when I updated info on the new KMS server it was pointing at the right one. You can do this in bulk - works for office and windows

Edited August 13, 2015 by caffrey