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Microsoft Releases "New" Windows Volume Activation 2.0 Tools

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When Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 was publically announced in October 2006, Microsoft also announced that a set of enterprise deployment tools would be available by March 2007. 

 

On February 19th, 2007, Microsoft publicly announced the release of ‘new’ Windows Volume Activation tools, including the Volume Activation Management Tool, the Key Management Service for Windows Server 2003, and the KMS Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005. These tools are available for download on the Microsoft Download Center. 

 

· The Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) enables IT professionals to automate and centrally manage the volume activation process using a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). VAMT can perform both MAK proxy and MAK independent activation of single or multiple remote computers running volume editions of Windows Vista at once. Additionally the tool provides the activation status of computers running any edition of Windows Vista in the environment, and also can return the remaining activation count for MAKs.

· The Key Management Service (KMS) for Windows 2003 provides customers with much requested functionality of running KMS on Windows Server 2003. KMS enables customers to host a local service within their environment which can be used by volume editions of Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Enterprise for activation. KMS is currently available in x86 and x64 versions in EN, DE and JP, for use with these Windows Server 2003 editions: Standard, Enterprise and Datacenter, Service Pack 1 or 2.

  • The third tool, the KMS Management Pack for Management Operations Manager 2005 allows enterprise customers to monitor and report the health of the KMS host that is fulfilling the activation requests within their organization. System administrators can create alerts for conditions that could indicate KMS outages or impending problems. When coupled with other data sources, such as System Center Configuration Manager, IT professionals can have a complete view of all volume-licensed machines in their environment. The MOM pack is currently available in x86 and x64 versions in English only.