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Support of activation of virtual machines running on Windows via KMS server has been added to VMmanager recently. Now you can build virtual infrastructure on Windows machines, while managing license keys conveniently.
The KMS (Key Management Service) server allows you to activate corporate versions of Windows within the network without having to connect to the MSFT activation center via the Internet or by phone.
Key advantages of KMS activation:
- To activate the system, KMS clients do not need access to the Internet or phone — network access to the KMS server is sufficient.
- A KMS server is not a critical infrastructure component. Even if the KMS server is not available, clients will be able to work for six months. If necessary, it is easy to install a new server, deploy the KMS role on it, enter the key and activate it. All previously activated KMS clients are activated on the new KMS server.
- The KMS infrastructure is simple and expandable. One KMS server can serve thousands of your clients.
- Your customers' virtual machines are activated automatically.
Using activation via KMS
If you do not have a KMS server, you need to purchase a Windows corporate license, get a kms-host key, prepare a Windows virtual machine to configure the KMS server role on. Read more in the official Microsoft documentation.
If you already have a KMS server or have access to a public KMS server, simply specify its IP address and connection port for each operating system to be activated in the Templates section.
Configuring licensing for Windows OS templates
Note: If a correct SRV record is present in your domain DNS that allows clients to find the KMS server, this step can be skipped — the operating system on the VM will be activated automatically.
Configuring the KMS server in VMmanager interface
To check the current activation status of the system, execute the command slmgr.vbs /dli in the virtual machine’s console.
If you have any questions left, contact us or use the documentation.
