[windows software] KMS Server/Licensing Question

[millshre]

I am considering starting up a KMS at this school. I just want to make sure I understand how it works. We have the ability to do so, but no one has implemented it before.

 

I read that clients are required to check in every 180 days to re-activate. I assume this means they will show as Not Valid until they do so?

 

Is it 180 days for Microsoft Office 2013 as well?

 

If a teacher or student takes a computer home, will it automatically become invalid?

[ITGURU]

Your Windows and Office keys are installed onto the KMS Server Host and a record created in DNS. Your clients will then find the KMS server through the service location record to activate automatically. For Office you need a minimum of 5 clients checking in before they will all say activated, or 25 windows clients.

 

If your staff are taking laptops home, it will work fine for a duration before saying it needs re-activating. It won't stop them using it, it will just keep bugging them.

 

Our policy is staff should bring them in at least once a month to keep activated, get approved windows updates, flash updates etc.

 

Alternatively, you can use MAK keys on the laptops.

[sparkeh]

I am considering starting up a KMS at this school. I just want to make sure I understand how it works. We have the ability to do so, but no one has implemented it before.

 

I read that clients are required to check in every 180 days to re-activate. I assume this means they will show as Not Valid until they do so?

 

Is it 180 days for Microsoft Office 2013 as well?

 

If a teacher or student takes a computer home, will it automatically become invalid?

Both Windows and Office needs to check in every 180 days. If it goes beyond this then they have get a 30 day grace period with notifications to the user. If they go beyond this then they enter Reduced Functionality mode.

 

There's no problem taking a machine home as long as they check in every 180 days.

[snagrat]

Somethings said can be read in the wrong way so I'll just clarify.

 

A machine doesn't check in every 180 days, it will check in every day. However it can not go longer than 180 without checking in.

 

KMS will also work over VPN and Direct Access if you have that setup so no need for laptops to physically be in the school

[sparkeh]

 

A machine doesn't check in every 180 days, it will check in every day.

Actually it's once a week https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff793434.aspx