與Windows Vista一樣,Windows Server 2008也擁有多種激活體系,包括Volume Activation 2.0和KMS.

批量激活大家幾乎都已經了解,這里著重介紹KMS,KMS Key由KMS服務器分發,該服務器可以同時為Windows Server 2008,Windows Server Core 2008,Windows Vista頒發許可,管理員可以選擇自動發現或定義KMS服務器(1688端口)來完成授權工作.Windows Server 2008 KMS服務器端支持無限數量的客戶端,但客戶端必須在每180日內完成一次激活.

Windows Server 2003的KMS (Key Management) 需要一次更新以支持Windows Server 2008系統及其虛擬化產品,該更新將跟隨2008版本一起發布.

KMS服務器和主機以及KMS客戶端都支持虛擬機內運行.

Volume

Product Group

KMS Key KMS can be hosted on Windows product editions activated by this KMS

Vista VL KMS Windows Vista KMS for Windows Server 2003

Windows Vista Business Windows Vista Enterprise

Server Group A KMS_A Windows Web Server 2008 KMS for Windows Server 2003

Windows Web Server 2008 Vista VL

Server Group B KMS_B Windows Web Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 Standard Windows Server 2008 Enterprise KMS for Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2008 Standard Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Server Group A Vista VL

Server Group C KMS_C Windows Web Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 Standard Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Windows Server 2008 for Itanium KMS for Windows Server 2003

Windows Server 2008 Datacenter Windows Server 2008 for Itanium Server Group B Server Group A Vista VL