Multiple Activation Key
MAK activation uses a technology similar to that in use with MSDN Universal and Microsoft Action Pack subscriptions. Each product key can activate a specific number of computers. If the use of volume-licensed media is not controlled, excessive activations result in depletion of the activation pool. MAKs are activation keys. They are not used to install Windows but rather to activate it after installation. You can use them to activate any volume edition of Windows Vista.

A MAK is used to activate each system under MAK management. Activation can be performed over the Internet or by telephone. As each computer contacts Microsoft’s activation servers, the activation pool is reduced. You can check the number of remaining activations from the Microsoft Licensing Web sites and request additional activations by contacting the Microsoft Activation Call Center.

There are two ways to activate computers using MAK:

• MAK Proxy Activation: Is a solution that enables a centralized activation request on behalf of multiple desktops with one connection to Microsoft. MAK Proxy Activation will be available in the solution code name Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) which is currently under development with expected availability in 2007.

• MAK Independent Activation: Requires that each desktop independently connects and activates against Microsoft.

Advantages of MAK activation include the ability to automate key assignment and activation and no requirement to periodically renew activation. Additional requirements include the need to request more activations when the number of activations passes the predetermined limit, the need to manage the installation of MAKs (automated by Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) 2007), the requirement for reactivation when significant hardware changes occur, and the potential need to manually activate systems using a telephone when no Internet connection is available.

Key Management Service (KMS) Key
Key Management Service (KMS) enables organizations to perform local activations for computers in a managed environment without connecting to Microsoft individually. A KMS Key is used to enable the Key Management Service on a machine controlled by an organization’s system administrator. KMS usage is targeted for managed environments where more than 25 computers are consistently connected to the organization’s network. Computers running Windows Vista activate by connecting to a central Windows Vista computer running the KMS service.

After initializing KMS, the KMS activation infrastructure is self-maintaining. Users can install a KMS key and enable the KMS service on Windows Vista systems. The KMS service can easily be co-hosted with other services, and it does not require any additional software for downloading or installing. Windows Server 2003 KMS service for Volume Activation 2.0 is currently under development with expected availability in 2007. A single KMS host can support hundreds of thousands of KMS clients. It is expected that most organizations will be able to operate with just two KMS hosts for their entire infrastructure (one main KMS host and one backup host for redundancy).

A KMS host must have at least 25 physical Windows Vista clients connected to it before any of them will activate. Systems operating in virtual machine (VM) environments can also be activated using KMS, but they do not contribute to the system count.

Clients must renew their activation by connecting to the KMS Host at least once every 180 days. Clients not yet activated will attempt to connect with the KMS host every two hours (value configurable). Once activated, they will attempt to connect to the KMS host every seven days (value configurable) and if successful will renew their 180-day activation life span. Clients locate the KMS host using one of the two methods:

• Auto-Discovery, in which a KMS client uses domain name service records to automatically locate a local KMS host.

• Direct connection, where a system administrator specifies the KMS host location and communication port.

Clients have a 30-day grace period to complete activation. Clients not activated within this time period will go into Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM).

As mentioned above, KMS clients activated with KMS periodically try to renew their activation. If they are unable to connect to a KMS host for more than 180 days, they enter a 30-day grace period, after which they enter RFM until a connection can be made with a KMS host, or until a MAK is installed and the system is activated online or via telephone. This feature prevents computers that have been removed from the organization from functioning indefinitely without adequate license coverage.