KMS (Key Management Service) and AD domain membership
Monday, January 18th, 2010I am working on several Windows 7 deployment projects where a KMS server needs to be implemented. During design phase the question rose whether there was a need for Active Directory and/or domain membership for KMS to activate the Windows 7 clients. One of the customers did not want the workstations to be a member of an Active Directory domain. So I have done some tests in my Testlab and found that the KMS server will activate any client with a GVLK product key installed as long as it can communicate with the KMS Server on port TCP 1688. There is no need for domain membership whatsoever.
