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Ohio State University logo Office of Information Technology Technology Support Center (8help)

KMS Activation for Windows Vista/Windows 7/Server 2008



Automatic KMS Discovery

There are two steps that department network administrators will need to take to ensure that Vista, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008 will activate automatically against the campus KMS server. These two steps are: update the DNS and open the activation port on any intervening firewall(s).

NOTE: There is no campus-wide license for Windows Server 2008 - though it can use the KMS server for activation, a copy of the software must still be purchased to run legally.

  1. The DNS SRV record for _vlmcs._tcp. on TCP port 1688 must be registered with the DNS authority. If you have multiple domain names on your network, all domain names that will contain Vista machines for automatic activation will require this SRV record. If OSU Hostmaster handles your DNS, email hostmaster@osu.edu and request the following entry:

    _vlmcs._tcp. 600 IN SRV 0 100 1688 kms1.service.ohio-state.edu.
    _vlmcs._tcp. 600 IN SRV 0 100 1688 kms2.service.ohio-state.edu

  2. Ensure that any firewalls between the machine and the KMS server are configured to allow TCP port 1688 out from the machine to the KMS server.

Note that due to insufficient support for RFC-1323 on certain firewalls, routers, and VPN servers, there may be problems with network connectivity. This includes the OSU Fire Marshall Firewall device. See OIT KB article 3253 for more details.

Manual KMS Configuration

If automatic KMS discovery is not desired, machines can be configured manually to locate the KMS server. At the machine, right-click on the Command Prompt program and select Run as administrator. At the command prompt, type the following:

cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms1.service.ohio-state.edu

This sets the desired KMS server. Activation will proceed automatically with no further intervention required. To verify the manual setting is correct, type the following to force activation immediately:

cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato



Current Record: 3636

Create Date: 01-09-2008
Last Reviewed: 11-02-2009

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