Deploying VMs from Templates and KMS Activation. before or after?

[kac2]

I am new to KMS. We just got our Data Center licensing and are looking to start deploying a few 2008 R2 VMs. I've been reading about setting up a KMS server and I was wondering about deploying new VMs from templates either before or after KMS authentication.

so which order should it go?

build VM, convert to template, deploy VM from template, then activate with KMS

or

build VM & activate KMS, conver to template, deploy VM from template? since it has a new SID and all?

[Troy_Clavell]

if you have KMS host setup in your AD environment, as soon as the newly provisioned templates join the domain, they will be added into the KMS Host server. Use a generic client key in your templates.

[kac2]

so you suggest to go with the 2nd option?

[Troy_Clavell]

I recommend the option below

>build VM, convert to template, deploy VM from template, then activate with KMS

There really isn't anything to do on the clients if you have a KMS Host setup. If you don't you will need one.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=bbf2eb61-2b30-4f2d-bccd-df53e220b8e9&displa...

[kac2]

sorry Troy, maybe i should have cleared myself up a bit. look at it in this situation.

There is already a KMS host/server on the network.

what route do you go for deploying new VMs from templates?

do i not need to worry about activating KMS on each deployed VM because it's just a client and it will auto-activate against the KMS host once joined to the domain?

[Troy_Clavell · Accepted solution]

do i not need to worry about activating KMS on each deployed VM because it's just a client and it will auto-activate against the KMS host once joined to the domain?

correct.

[upg3]

Hi...I was searching on the above mentioned topic and found this thread..

I wanted to know if I use KMS for the VM activation, whether I can use and activate 4 VM mechines for each of my win2k8 licenses. I have 3 win2008 Ent license and asper Microsoft I can use 4 VM with each Ent license.

Thanks for your reply in advance.

regards,

UPG

[joshuatownsend]

You need at least 5 Server activations or 25 desktop activations with KMS.  See here for more info: http://vmtoday.com/2012/02/using-kms-for-vmware-view-windows-activation/