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Todd's Tips for System Adminstrators

Step by Step Guides for Windows 2008

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I was looking on the internet for some help setting up my certificate services that I need for a presentation I am doing in Ottawa later in the week. Certificate services is something I haven’t really touched in my career at all up until now. My presentation is on DirectAccess using Unified Access Gateway. You need certificates to encrypt IPSEC data using DirectAccess.

So off I went looking for something to help me along and build the solution in the lab. While searching, I found what I was looking for and more.

Check out this Step-by-Step guide site on TechNet. It covers off a lot of different scenarios and is pretty damn helpful if I do say so myself.

Setting up a KMS Server

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Windows 7 Volume licensing basically has three ways to activate, MAK, MAK proxy and KMS. The first two require a key and the proxy needs to use the Volume Activation Management Tool. I won’t get into MAK today, its is somewhat straight forward. If you need information, check out the information on MAK at TechNet, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd979805.aspx.

What I want to talk about is KMS, Key Management Service. Setting one of these servers up is as easy as making Kraft Dinner. Yes, simple. In reading in the forums I see people having troubles getting one up and going. I’ll walk you through the easiest setup. This walkthrough isn’t meant for someone already using a KMS server for Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008.

If you want to activate Windows 7 clients, the simplest choice is install Windows Server 2008 R2. You can use Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 but you need to install an update. If you have Server 2008 R2, I recommend using it, its just the easiest thing to do. There is a hierarchy of how the setup works, http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd979804.aspx will give you the low down.

For me, Windows Server 2008 R2 based KMS server made the most sense. The next step is to locate your KMS key for your volume activation. The key you are looking for, is the Windows Server 2008 Std/Ent KMS B (note the KMS B). System Information

Instead of using the MAK key when you enter the key for activation, you will enter in your KMS.

Windows Activation

You will get an warning message that you are using a KMS key, like this.

Windows Activation

Click OK and you will have then made a KMS host machine. That is all there is to it. Some people get worried and think they have to add a Windows 7 key for the KMS host to accept Windows 7 clients. You don’t need to do that, at least I didn’t have to.

The other thing to remember is that in order for your server to activate computers, you must have at least 5 Servers checked in for server activation to occur or 25 Windows 7 or Vista machines checked in for client activation to occur. To check the status of the computers, I find the VAMT tool which comes with the WAIK works well.

Free Hyper-V Certification for TechNet Plus Subscribers

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If you are a TechNet Plus subscriber, you should have received an email yesterday or today letting you know about a great offer that Microsoft is putting out with regards to Server Virtualization.

Your TechNet Plus subscription will get you a code for the Microsoft E-Learning Collection 6319: Configuring Hyper-V in Windows 2008. Once you go through this course, take a screenshot of your completed status and email that to tnvouch@microsoft.com. If you are one of the first 200 people to do so, you will get a free exam voucher for 70-652: TS Windows Server Virtualization, Configuring.

I am kicking myself a little bit; I used one of my own vouchers I had to book the 70-652 exam in April after I complete my upcoming course.  (I booked two exams actually) I literally just posted about this yesterday, it was the post about my Hyper-V training I am taking in Ottawa. I have luck like that sometimes but then sometimes I get lucky, so I guess it evens out.

Just to recap:

  • Complete the E-Learning
  • Take a snapshot of the course completed and email it to Microsoft
  • Receive a free exam voucher