KMS Question

[FN-GM]

Hi,

 

I am wanting to move KMS to another box. I have seen how to disable it on the old and get it running on the new.

 

The activation request count needs to get to a certain figure before activations start, 30 machines i think. But all our machines are already activated by the old KMS server. Will these machines start calling back to the new KMS server or will they have to be new activations?

 

Thanks

[chazzy2501]

I think they call back every 14 days but wont expire for 6 months. You could use the VAMP2.0 tool and force a new authentication right away.

[Ergo]

KMS activations (I believe) are validated periodically by the client machine, so I would expect your clients to contact the new KMS server given time and therefore reach the threshold.

[h=4]KMS Activation Renewal[/h] KMS activations are valid for 180 days—the activation validity interval. To remain activated, KMS client computers must renew their activation by connecting to the KMS host at least once every 180 days. By default, KMS client computers attempt to renew their activation every seven days. If KMS activation fails , the client will retry every two hours. After a client computer’s activation is renewed, the activation validity interval begins again.

 

From Here

[plexer]

kms relies on dns and that's how the clients find your kms server they'll find it fine as long as you do the change properly.

 

Ben

[FN-GM]

kms relies on dns and that's how the clients find your kms server they'll find it fine as long as you do the change properly.

 

Ben

 

But thats not what i am asking. Its about the renewal of activation of existing activated machines.

[Ergo]

But thats not what i am asking. Its about the renewal of activation of existing activated machines.

 

To answer your question - I cannot find any documentation from Microsoft on changing the KMS server, but I assume that what will happen is that the client will get to its regular KMS renewal time, look up KMS in DNS and go to the new one, try and "renew" its activation, find out that it is a new KMS server and re-activate. The first 25 Win7 clients will get delayed activation, but they re-check every 2 hours until the KMS server becomes fully active. Should not take more than a couple of weeks for the server to become active and all clients be registered with the new KMS server - particularly if your clients are mostly turned off for the summer holidays.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Dave

[FN-GM]

Its ok you answered it up there. It should take 7 days.

 

I dont have all summer, its going to be done soon

[glennda]

Its ok you answered it up there. It should take 7 days.

 

I dont have all summer, its going to be done soon

 

If you use the VAMT then you can force re-activation against the server for the first 25 machines to get the count up.

[FN-GM]

I did think that. I am going to do it maybe today or tomorrow. When we get back in there will be 2 IT rooms of machines that haven't been on all xmas. If i boot them it should be all fine

[plexer]

They will activate against the kms listed in dns which will be the new one once you've installed it and removed the kms server from the old one.

 

Ben

[FN-GM]

They will activate against the kms listed in dns which will be the new one once you've installed it and removed the kms server from the old one.

 

Ben

 

But thats not what we are talking about. We are talking about the time frames on existing activated machines will look for the server again.

[plexer]

No you asked:

 

"Will these machines start calling back to the new KMS server or will they have to be new activations?"

 

And as I said yes they will find the kms server via dns.

 

Ben

[plexer]

Your question is irellevant really, you put in a new kms server and your clients will either remain activated or they will get a new activation once the nunber of requests is reached on the new server.

 

Ben

[FN-GM]

But the point is i need to get that figure up so i can start activating the new machines. So checking if the old clients start checking in right away with the new KMS or if they do it when they need to.

[FN-GM]

Hi Guys,

 

Does the activation renewal apply to MS Office please?

 

Thanks

[Ergo]

I have not been able to find any specific documentation about Office activation (much like Windows) but what I have found shows that the same rules seem to apply - if the application is already activated it should stay that way. it will discover KMS via DNS, and when it comes to validate activation with the new KMS server should behave the same way as Windows.

 

I would recommend the same as above, using VAMT to force the first 25 machines to re-activate with the new KMS server to get above the threshold.

 

Dave

[FN-GM]

Just setup the Windows KMS server and in no time the KMS count got to 16, i am just going to leave it a while it should sort itself out.

 

Got the Office 2013 key in there, just need to get the 2010 key in the system.

[Ergo]

Sounds good

 

Thanks for the update.

 

Dave