What is a KMS?
A Microsoft Key Management Server (KMS) is a part of the Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 solution and is used to activate volume-licensed Microsoft products such as Windows. A KMS is used with the appropriate media available through the Texas A&M Software Center and activates the product locally instead of directly with Microsoft.
Texas A&M Technology Services has set up a KMS for use by Texas A&M University (TAMU). To connect to the TAMU KMS, please use these instructions.
How KMS Works
The KMS activates a client for a period of 180 day. Once a machine is activated, it will attempt to communicate with the same KMS every seven days to renew its activation and reset it license counter back to 180 days. If the machine is unable to connect to the KMS, it will keep trying to do so silently every two hours until it is successful.
If the machine has not been able to reestablish communication to the KMS after 180 days, the machine will become unlicensed. It starts a 30-day grace period and notifies the user of this change. If the machine is not activated against the KMS after the 30-day grace period expires, it will enter a reduced functionality mode until it is able to connect to its KMS, or is changed to a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) license and activated.
Read more at KMS FAQ.
KMS Alternatives
If your environment prevents your machine from easily communicating with the TAMU KMS, you may switch to the MAK-based license. Each product key can activate a specific number of computers. Unless significant hardware changes occur, MAK activation is required only once. MAK activation requires each target computer to independently connect and activate with Microsoft. Setting and activating the MAK license is by default a manual process that must be done within the first 30 days of installation. Because the number of machines that can be activated using this method is limited, be sure to keep the Texas A&M Software Center informed.