VOLUME ACTIVATION

Eliminates need for individual Eliminates need for individual clients to connect and activate clients to connect and activate with Microsoftwith Microsoft

Product key is pre-Product key is pre-installed on clientsinstalled on clients

Eliminates need for individual Eliminates need for individual clients to connect and activate clients to connect and activate with Microsoftwith Microsoft

Product key is pre-Product key is pre-installed on clientsinstalled on clients

KMS clients must connect with KMS clients must connect with KMS host at least once every 180 KMS host at least once every 180 days to keep activation currentdays to keep activation current

Transparent end user Transparent end user experienceexperience

Capable of activating hundreds of Capable of activating hundreds of systems, as long as minimum systems, as long as minimum threshold is established and threshold is established and maintainedmaintained

One time activation with Microsoft One time activation with Microsoft hosted servicehosted serviceSupports online, phone and proxy Supports online, phone and proxy activationactivationOne MAK key per product per One MAK key per product per organizationorganization

Two Activation Models

Key Management Service (KMS) for Office 2010 Lab Licenses

• 2007 Microsoft Office system and previous versions of Microsoft Office, you had to enter a product key when you deployed Office. If you use Key Management Service (KMS), you do not have to do this for Office 2010 because all volume license editions of Office 2010 have a KMS client key preinstalled.

• Allows Office instances to complete activations on their local network, eliminating the need for to connect to Microsoft for product activation.

• KMS Host is a lightweight service that does not require a dedicated system and can easily be co-hosted on a system that provides other services.

• KMS Requires a minimum number of computers (physical or virtual machines) in a network environment (called minimum threshold).

• Instances activated with KMS contact the KMS host once every 180 days

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Multiple Activation Key (MAK) for Office 2010 Lab Licenses

– MAK is used for one-time activation with Microsoft’s hosted activation services. Different from Windows XP Professional Volume License Key

– There are two ways to activate computers using MAK. • MAK Independent activation, which requires that each computer independently connect

and be activated with Microsoft either over the Internet or by telephone. • MAK Proxy activation which uses a computer acting as a MAK proxy that gathers

activation information from multiple computers on the network, and then sends a centralized activation request on their behalf.

• MAK Proxy activation is configured using the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT).

– KMS is the default key for Volume Activation clients. Using MAK activation requires installing a MAK key using Script, Volume Activation Toolkit, or Windows Deployment Toolkit.• MAK is best for users who cannot connect to Institution network

at least every 180 days

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KMS Host

• One KMS host for Windows and Office• Highly scalable service (100’s of

thousands)• Supported KMS host Operating Systems:

Operating System Office Windows

Windows Server 2003 √ √

Windows Vista √

Windows Server 2008 √

Windows 7 (Volume License edition) √ √

Windows Server 2008 R2 √ √

• Activation establishes a relationship between the software’s product key and software on the device

• All information is private and not used by Microsoft or any other party

• Enhanced data security

• Microsoft has a variety of tools to help make deployment and management simple and easy

• www.microsoft.com/TechNet/volumeactivation

• Activation helps ensure you are using genuine Office 2010 software, which gives you access to the latest features

• It provides protection against the malicious code common in counterfeit software

• Volume Activation in Office 2010 builds on Vista and Windows Server 2008

• Virtual machines count toward minimum req.

• 5 connected systems (PCs, laptops)

• Two primary methods of Volume Activation:

• Key Management Services (KMS): preferred method, self-hosted, self-maintaining, ideal for vast majority of environments

• Multiple Activation Key (MAK): machine independent, hosted by Microsoft

Activation

Why it’s important

Familiar but better

Flexible, compatible options

VA is for virtual, too

Resources

Privacy and Security

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VL Activation never prevents an end-user from using Office 2010

User experience in MAK asking for activation if VAMT is not used to orchestrate activation

User experience in KMS if not activated in 30 days (no UI experience in first 25 days)

User experience when not activated

Topology guidance

• Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) 2.0– Search for Windows and Office in the enterprise network– Deploy product keys to clients– Proxy MAK activation– Trigger MAK online and KMS activations

• Software licensing management script (slmgr.vbs)– Enter KMS host key– Activate KMS host– Monitor

• KMS host status• Number of client activations

Tools

Multiple Activation Key (MAK)

MAK key available to volume license customers on request

Install the MAK on the clientDirectly Provisioned by the IT Pro (Image or Proxy)

Activate with MicrosoftOnline (directly or via Proxy)Phone, SMS text messaging

Perpetual activationSome conditions may require reactivation

Internal

External

VAMT

Image

One Time

Volume License Agreement

Microsoft Hosted Activation Services

KMS Host

KMS key automatically available to customers via normal channels

Install KMS key on KMS host machine

Activate KMS service with Microsoft- One time activation of KMS host

KMS host registers SRV with DNSKMS client discovers KMS host

KMS client activates based on policy- KMS count ≥ activation threshold

KMS client regularly re-activates- Non-perpetual activation (180 days)- Communication between KMS host and KMS client is never exposed to Microsoft KMS Client

Internal

External

One Time

DNS

Microsoft Hosted Activation Service

Volume License Agreement

Request

Count

Key Management Service Process

To Install KMS hosts for KMS Activation

• Choose and install the desired volume licensed media. No product key is required during setup.

• Start the computer, log on and launch an elevated Command Prompt.

• Install your KMS key. Do not use the Windows interface for this. Run the following script:cscript

C:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk <KMS Key>

Command Prompt

Successful KMS Activation

Activate KMS Host

• Activate the KMS host with Microsoft, either using online activation or telephone activation:• For online activation (You must be able to access the Internet from

the computer), run the following script:cscript C:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato

• For telephone activation (if you do not have access to the Internet), run the following command and follow the on-screen instructions: slui.exe

• The KMS host is now ready to be used by KMS clients for activation. Additional configuration is optional and will usually not be required.

To verify the activation by using command : Slmgr -dlv

Additional Technical Resources• Office Activation Springboard Site

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/office/ee691939.aspx

• IPSEC Server Isolation to protect KMS Hosts: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc723923.aspx

• Reference Guide for slmgr, registry, GPO, Event Log, WMI, Error Codes, etc..http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee355153.aspx

• Activation Error Codeshttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/938450

• Office 2010 blog entry for Volume Activationhttp://blogs.technet.com/office2010/archive/2009/08/24/volume-activation.aspx

• Office 2010 volume activation deployment guidehttp://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=97B7B710-6831-4CE5-9FF5-FDC21FE8D965&displaylang=en

• Top activation issues reported to CSShttp://blogs.technet.com/askcore/archive/tags/Activation/default.aspx

• Activation is required for all volume editions of Microsoft Office 2010 client

• Customers need to decide between MAK, KMS and Token (highly secure disconnected environments)

• Office and Windows use the same activation technology

Summary