Hi, I setup a KMS host server on a Windows 2008 R2. I used Win Server 2008R2 STD/ENT KMS B key. Now, I want to activate my server. I know the minimum is 5 servers but just for discussion, I want to "test activate" my Windows 2008 server to test if my KMS Host key is working. How do I activate my client computer to activate against my KMS server? Please guide me. Thanks!

Assuming that your KMS server is configured correctly, you will need to create a DNS entry so the clients can locate the service. Its going to be an SRV record. Record name: _vlmcs._tcp._msdcs.domainname.com Port: 1688 Point it to the name of the server hosting this service. Visit: anITKB.com, an IT Knowledge Base.

Hi, The record name appeared on DNS record already. Now, after I create a server, do I always need to join the domain so that my server activates automatically against my KMS host? How soon does it activate?

Hello, By Default, the KMS service when enabled attempts to write the record to the DNS server, which then publishes the record out to the KMS clients who activate when the count on the KMS host is sufficient to meet the requirements needed. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx This link has more informationThanks, Darrell Gorter This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights. Volume Activation documentation on TechNet http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/dd197314.aspx http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd996588.aspx VAMT - Volume Activation Management Tool - Download link http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ec7156d2-2864-49ee-bfcb-777b898ad582&displaylang=en

Hi Darell, I see. So, could you please tell me if I am correct then? Do you mean to say that since I don't meet the requirements yet for Windows 2008, 7 and Office 2010, I have to use Volume Management Activation 2.0 tool and manually activate my first machines against KMS server. Once I meet the requirements, the machines will automatically check itself against my KMS host server? If this is correct, does the client computer check when the application is first run (for Office 2010) and for Windows, does it check as soon as the machine joins the domain? Obviously, workgroup can't check KMS host server. Did I understand it right? Thanks!

Hi MySocial, The KMS clients doesnot have to be joined to the domain to be activated. By default, Volume License editions of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and Windows Server 2008 R2 are KMS clients. If the computers the organization wants to activate by using KMS are using either of these operating systems and the network allows DNS auto-discovery, no further configuration is needed. The clients will detect the KMS host automatically on the network. Otherwise, you can manually specify a KMS host by running: slmgr.vbs /skms <value>:<port> where value is either the KMS_FQDN, IPv4Address, or NetbiosName of the KMS host and port is TCP port on the KMS host. You can run slmgr.vbs /dli to check the current count on the KMS host. The KMS clients will be activated when the count is met. Regards, Karen JiThis posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Thanks for clearing that up. Last question, if slmgr.vbs /dli is for Windows, do you know what is for Office 2010? So I can check also the count for Office?

Hi MySocial, To determine the current count on the KMS host, at the command prompt (with administrator permissions), run the following command: cscript slmgr.vbs /dlv bfe7a195-4f8f-4f0b-a622-cf13c7d16864 Where bfe7a195-4f8f-4f0b-a622-cf13c7d16864 is Office 2010 activation ID. The current count displayed must be 5 or greater for KMS clients to be activated. For more information, please refer to the article below. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624357.aspx In the future, for Office related issues, I suggest posting in the Office forum below. http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-us/category/officeitpro Regards, Karen Ji This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.