IT Alerts:There aren't any recognised IT alerts at the moment.[see all alerts]The variations of windows supplied because of OIT are volume-activated merchandise rather than retail items that come with product keys.
Volume Activation is a merchandise activation technology that was first introduced with Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. It is designed to allow volume license customers to automate the activation process in a way that is transparent to end users. Volume Activation applies to systems that are covered under a Volume Licensing program and is used strictly as a tool for activation and is in no way tied to license invoicing or billing.
Volume Activation provides two different models for completing volume activations. The first model is Key Management Service (KMS) and the second is Multiple Activation Key (MAK). KMS allows organizations to activate systems within their own network,
Microsoft Office Standard 2007, while MAK activates systems on a one-time basis,
Office Standard 2010, using Microsoft’s hosted activation services. All Duke users should activate windows using the KMS. MAK activation is reserved for special instances where a Duke user cannot connect to a Duke network regularly for an extended period of time.