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Todd's Tips for System Adminstrators

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.

Microsoft TechDays Ottawa – Day 2

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The second day of TechDays Ottawa saw better weather. Day 1 had a terrible snow storm, but despite that, turn out was quite good. I don’t have numbers on how many people came out either day.

My session on Day 2 focused on Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2 (WSUS). The session went quite well from my side. All my demo’s worked which is always a good thing. The best part of the session was the end when people started coming up and asking questions. I like hearing how other people are using the technology I am speaking about. In my small environment (100 computers) where I am a jack of all trades, I like hearing how larger organizations are leveraging the technology. One organization was telling me how they use a disconnected a WSUS server to manage a network which has no internet connection.

I met a couple of people and spoke about MDT with them. One person has about 5000 computers they build images for in MDT and another builds images for 14000 computers which most are sent to offices in foreign countries. It was a case of the teacher becoming the student and I was able to pick their brain for a bit getting a few ideas on how to leverage MDT when I have someone else actually doing the deployments. (I build them, they deploy).

TechDays was a great event. I strongly encourage people to go out and attend when it comes around. My wish for next year is hands on labs.

Blue Screen of Death Appears at TechDays Ottawa

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The dreaded blue screen of death has appeared at TechDays here in Ottawa.

Blue Screen of Death in WINRE TechDays Demo

This was in the Windows Recovery session and it was part of the demo. They made it appear by feeding “Green Eggs and Ham” to SAM. When the SAM is replaced by something that is not supposed to be there, this is what happens. WINRE was used to recover the SAM and make the computer boot again.

This was just one of the many great sessions on Day 1 of TechDays in Ottawa. I presented the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 (MDT 2010) on Day 1; Day 2 is running today and I will be presenting Windows Server Update Services 3.0 SP2 (WSUS). There are many great sessions going on today; Exchange 2010, DirectAccess and Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5 (ACT) are some of today’s great sessions, so be sure to check them out.