Datasheet

Planning and Managing Client Licensing and Activation 47
Expiration Data for Current License
The command slmgr /xpr can be used to indicate the expiration date for the current
license. If the system has not been activated, this will indicate the date and time when the
30-day grace period expires.
If the license has been permanently activated, it will say, “The Machine is Permanently
Activated.” If the system has been activated by KMS, it will indicate the expiration of the
KMS activation.
Volume Activation Methods
For smaller businesses, Windows 7 is purchased on an individual basis, and the clients
are automatically activated three days after the installation. For larger enterprises, volume-
activation methods are used to activate multiple clients with a single key. There are two
methods of volume activation.
Multiple Activation Key (MAK)

Key Management Service (KMS)

KMS is used when the clients can’t access the Internet and require the use of a KMS
server. KMS requires significantly more administration than other methods of activation.
As an overview, Table 1.2 shows some of the comparisons between MAK activation and
KMS server activation. It’s important to realize that MAK keys and KMS keys are differ-
ent. A MAK key can’t be activated with a KMS server, and a KMS key won’t be activated
over the Internet.
TABLE 1.2 Comparing MAK and KMS
MAK KMS
Activation is permanent. Clients must connect to a KMS server peri-
odically to renew activation.
Used when access to the Internet is possible
(or manual phone method is desirable).
Used in isolated networks where Internet
access is not possible (and manual activa-
tion via the phone is not desirable).
Can be used for any number of clients. Requires a minimum of 5 servers, 25 clients,
or a combination of 25 servers and clients.
Volume Activation Management Tool
(VAMT) can be used with a MAK proxy.
Although a KMS server is used, it’s not
referred to as a proxy.
Supports clients duplicated from a single
image.
Supports clients duplicated from a single
image.
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