Implementation - KMS

To implement Key Management Services (KMS) in your company, you need to consider several aspects:

1. Solution Implementation: KMS uses a client-server model for activation, where KMS clients connect to a KMS host for activation. The KMS host must be located on your local network and can be run on any physical or virtual system that supports a Windows Server or Windows client operating system. You will need a Microsoft Customer Specific Volume License Key (CSVLK) to activate the KMS host, which can be obtained from the Volume Licensing Service Center.
2. Types of Licensing: KMS is designed for volume activation and requires specific product keys for both the KMS host and the clients. The KMS host key (CSVLK) is necessary for the KMS host, while KMS clients use a Microsoft Generic Volume License Key (GVLK). The GVLK is typically pre-installed on volume licensing editions of Windows, but in some cases, you may need to add it manually.
3. Solution Administration: Once KMS is set up, it requires minimal administration. You can manage the KMS host and monitor activations, but there is no need for data migration as the KMS host does not rely on a database. If you need to replace a KMS host, there are best practices for migrating the role to a new server without disrupting activation services.

KMS has not been replaced; it remains a valid solution for volume activation of Microsoft products.

References:

• KMS activation planning
• KMS client activation and product keys
• Replace a KMS host

Hi Lucas Peñaloza,

In most modern infrastructures, we actually deploy both the KMS Host service and ADBA on the same server to cover all scenarios.

To implement this, you first need to designate a server to act as the KMS Host. This machine does not require a dedicated server OS; a Windows Server is preferred, but Windows 10 or 11 can technically function as a host for client editions. You must obtain the "KMS Host Key" (technically called the Customer Specific Volume License Key or CSVLK) from the Microsoft 365 Admin Center under your Volume Licensing agreement. You install this specific key on your chosen host using the command line tool slmgr /ipk <KMS_Host_Key> and then activate that host with Microsoft servers online. Once the host is active, the critical piece for "Solution Implementation" is DNS. Your DNS infrastructure must have a Service (SRV) record named _vlmcs._tcp pointing to your KMS host on port 1688. Without this record, your clients will not automatically discover the licensing server. Furthermore, a new KMS host will not begin activating clients immediately. It requires a minimum "activation count" threshold: the host must receive activation requests from at least 25 unique Windows client machines (like Windows 10/11) or 5 Windows Server machines before it starts granting valid licenses.

Regarding licensing types, you must distinguish between the key you put on the server and the keys on the workstations. As mentioned, the server gets the private CSVLK. The clients, however, use a Generic Volume License Key (GVLK). If you use standard Volume Licensing installation media (ISOs) from Microsoft, these GVLKs are already pre-installed, and the machines are hardcoded to look for a KMS server out of the box. You generally do not need to manually type product keys into client machines unless they were converted from Retail to Volume, in which case you would use slmgr /ipk <Generic_Key> to inject the public GVLK for that specific Windows edition.

Administration of the solution is largely "set and forget" if your DNS is configured correctly. The Software Licensing Service (sppsvc) handles the traffic, and there is no heavy GUI management console required. You manage and audit the host primarily through PowerShell or the slmgr /dlv command, which will display your total activation count and the health of the licensing service. Since the KMS Host service is extremely lightweight, it is common practice to co-locate this role on a Domain Controller or another utility server rather than dedicating hardware solely to it.

I hope you've found something useful here. If it helps you get more insight into the issue, it's appreciated to accept the answer. Should you have more questions, feel free to leave a message. Have a nice day!

VP