Windows Server Guides

Multiple Activation Key

MAKs are generally used in environments with fewer than 25 computers. When you purchase MAK keys, you purchase them for a specific number of activations. If you need to activate more computers than you have activations available, you must either purchase an additional MAK or contact Microsoft and purchase additional activations for your existing MAK. You can install MAKs manually in the same way that you install retail keys or, in larger deployments, you can use a tool such as the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) to deploy a MAK remotely to computers. You can use a MAK in both a domain and a workgroup environment.

The advantage of using a MAK over KMS is that after you perform the activation process, Windows Server 2008 stays activated and does not need to contact a server on a regular basis. As is the case with retail keys, if the hardware configuration of a computer changes significantly, you must perform reactivation. Good record keeping is essential when using MAKs.

The VAMT can assist in this process, but record keeping is one reason many larger organizations choose KMS for volume activation.

NOTE deploying both types of volume license key

You can deploy both types of volume license key in a single environment. Many organizations use KMS at sites with large numbers of computers and MAK keys at branch office sites with small numbers of computers.

The VAMT, shown in Figure 11-7, enables you to configure and activate computers remotely, using MAKs. The VAMT can scan AD DS or a range of IP addresses to determine the activation state of computers on your network and which type of key (OEM, Retail, MAK, or KMS) computers are licensed with. You can use one of two methods with the VAMT to activate computers, Independent Activation and Proxy Activation. You must create a Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) firewall exception so that computers that will have keys installed and which will be activated can be contacted by the computer with VAMT installed.

Volume Activation Management Tool - C:\Users\kim_akers\Documents\UntitIed Collection.CIL*

File Action Options Help

^jsjxj

Volume Activation Management Tool - C:\Users\kim_akers\Documents\UntitIed Collection.CIL*

File Action Options Help