What is the cost implication/procedure for converting a MAK a environment to KMS?

[jakal121]

Hi

 

We have been using mak keys for office and windows throughout our infrastructure

 

we have a need to reimage machines more often than not - lab rooms, how difficult would it be to introduce a KMS to handle activations without losing licenses?

 

Would I need to buy a KMS key for every pc to replace the mak keys? or would the key management server pick up that we have a mak environment and takeover activations etc?

 

very very new to licensing for ms, any help would be massive.

 

cost is key - I can't find anything about the cost of a host key price online

 

thanks

[FN-GM]

If you have a volume licence agreement you won't need to spend any extra to get a KMS key.

 

You simply request it by filling out this form - https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/supportrequestform/2afa6f15-b710-db46-

[3s-gtech]

KMS still applies in terms of keys, but AD Activation is the recommended mechanism now. Having made the switch, it’s much easier to manage, more reliable and needs fewer interventions. I still use MAK for any legacy clients that don’t support ADA (just one now).

[jakal121]

Interesting, just to clarify - is ad activation a mechanism of kms

 

so if we switch to kms - we have an option to have devices activate via AD? - does this work for office as well as windows?

[Ditto]

If you have a volume licence agreement you won't need to spend any extra to get a KMS key.

You simply request it by filling out this form - https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/supportrequestform/2afa6f15-b710-db46-

For me that link redirects to https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/contactus/ - with a message at the top that shows as:

 

How do they even know if I'm a parent!

[3s-gtech]

Interesting, just to clarify - is ad activation a mechanism of kms

 

so if we switch to kms - we have an option to have devices activate via AD? - does this work for office as well as windows?

 

It’s more of a superceding technology. Devices must be domain joined, and will activate as soon as they’re joined. It uses your KMS keys though.

[jakal121]

That sounds like a solid solution, as long as it allows us to reimage as much as we want

[3s-gtech]

It does. It’s just a case of obtaining your KMS keys through MS - the web form is now the current method even though email was fine until very recently.