Using Windows Essential Business Server Product Keys
Windows Essential Business Server (Windows EBS) requires several product keys (25-character alphanumeric codes) to activate it. The product keys vary by the software edition (Standard or Premium) and the type of operating system environment (physical or virtual). A product key is also required to install and activate each client access license (CAL) pack in Windows EBS.
The following sections of this document describe the product keys that you need to activate and use Windows EBS:
Product keys for Windows Essential Business Server Standard
Product keys for Windows Essential Business Server Premium
Product keys for the premium technologies in Windows Essential Business Server Premium
Product keys for CAL packs
For more information about product activation, see the Microsoft Web site at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=125376.
For more information about getting started with Windows EBS, see the Microsoft Web site at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108901.
Note
You do not need a product key to install and use the software on Windows EBS Disc 1 - Prerequisite Planning Tools.
Note
You do not need a product key to install and use the trial (evaluation) version of Windows EBS.
Location of product keys
Depending on how you purchased Windows EBS, your product keys are in one or more of the following locations:
A sticker on the product packaging materials (for example, a product box or a sleeve for an installation disc).
A card that accompanies the installation discs.
A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on your Management Server.
A CAL Agreement (CAL product keys only).
The product keys are identified by abbreviated descriptions of their use. The descriptions that you have depend on how you purchased Windows EBS.
Note
If you purchased your servers for Windows EBS from an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), your Management Server, Security Server, and Messaging Server may be pre-activated. However, if you need to enter the product keys for these servers, you can locate the product key for the Management Server on the COA sticker on the server. The remaining keys are either on a sticker on the product packaging or on a product key card.
Product keys for Windows Essential Business Server Standard
Windows EBS Standard includes the following product keys for the Management Server, Security Server, and Messaging Server. You have the option to install each server in either a physical or a virtual operating system environment. You must activate each server, using the appropriate key for the operating system environment, within 60 days of installation.
Note
You must activate all three servers before you can install a Windows EBS CAL pack and assign CALs to user accounts or devices. It is recommended that you activate each server within 30 days of installation so that users can log on to the domain without interruption. For more information, see Product keys for CAL packs.
Note
For more information about using virtualization product keys, see the Microsoft Web site at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=126331.
| Product Key Description | Instructions |
|---|---|
Management Server Physical -Or- EBS STD 2008 Management Svr |
Use to activate a physical installation of the Management Server. |
Management Server Virtual -Or- EBS STD 2008 Mgmt Svr Virt |
Use to activate the Management Server in a virtual operating system environment. |
Security Server Physical -Or- EBS STD 2008 Security Svr |
Use to activate a physical installation of the Security Server. |
Security Server Virtual -Or- EBS STD 2008 Sec Svr Virt |
Use to activate the Security Server in a virtual operating system environment. |
Messaging Server Physical -Or- EBS STD 2008 Messaging Svr |
Use to activate a physical installation of the Messaging Server. |
Messaging Server Virtual -Or- EBS STD 2008 Msging Svr Virt |
Use to activate the Messaging Server in a virtual operating system environment. |
Product keys for Windows Essential Business Server Premium
Windows EBS Premium includes the following product keys for the Management Server, Security Server, and Messaging Server. You have the option to install each server in either a physical or a virtual operating system environment. You must activate each server, using the appropriate key for the operating system environment, within 60 days of installation.
For information about product keys for using the premium technologies in Windows EBS Premium (Windows Server 2008 Standard and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard), see Product keys for the premium technologies in Windows Essential Business Server Premium.
Note
You must activate all three servers before you can install a Windows EBS CAL pack and assign CALs to user accounts or devices. It is recommended that you activate each server within 30 days of installation so that users can log on to the domain without interruption. For more information, see Product keys for CAL packs.
Note
For more information about using virtualization product keys, see the Microsoft Web site at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=126331.
| Product Key Description | Instructions |
|---|---|
Management Server Physical -Or- EBS PREM 2008 Management Svr |
Use to activate a physical installation of the Management Server. |
Management Server Virtual -Or- EBS PREM 2008 Mgmt Svr Virt |
Use to activate the Management Server in a virtual operating system environment. |
Security Server Physical -Or- EBS PREM 2008 Security Svr |
Use to activate a physical installation of the Security Server. |
Security Server Virtual -Or- EBS PREM 2008 Sec Svr Virt |
Use to activate the Security Server in a virtual operating system environment. |
Messaging Server Physical -Or- EBS PREM 2008 Messaging Svr |
Use to activate a physical installation of the Messaging Server. |
Messaging Server Virtual -Or- EBS PREM 2008 Msging Svr Virt |
Use to activate the Messaging Server in a virtual operating system environment. |
Product keys for the premium technologies in Windows Essential Business Server Premium
Your purchase of Windows EBS Premium includes additional installation media and product keys that you can use to install Windows Server 2008 Standard and SQL Server 2008 Standard.
Product key for Windows Server 2008 Standard
To activate the additional installation of Windows Server 2008 Standard in Windows EBS Premium, you must use one of the following product keys. You have the option to install Windows Server 2008 Standard in either a physical or a virtual operating system environment. You must activate Windows Server 2008 Standard, using the appropriate key for the operating system environment, within 60 days of installation.
Note
To give you flexibility in installing Windows Server 2008 Standard, Windows EBS Premium includes installation media for both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions. You can activate either edition of Windows Server 2008 Standard by using one of the following product keys.
| Product Key Description | Instructions |
|---|---|
Windows Server 2008 Physical -Or- Win Svr STD 2008 |
Use to activate a physical installation of Windows Server 2008 Standard, Additional Server Installation (32-bit or 64-bit). |
Windows Server 2008 Virtual -Or- Win Svr STD 2008 Virtual |
Use to activate the Windows Server 2008 Standard, Additional Server Installation (32-bit or 64-bit) in a virtual operating system environment. |
Product key for SQL Server
If you purchased Windows EBS Premium as a fully packaged product or from an OEM, your edition includes a product key for you to install one instance of SQL Server 2008 Standard. The key is either on a sticker on the product packaging or on a product key card. If you purchased Windows EBS Premium through a Microsoft Volume Licensing program, no product key is provided for SQL Server 2008 Standard and no key is required to install it.
If your purchase of Windows EBS Premium includes media for SQL Server 2005, you have an additional product key to install one instance of SQL Server 2005 instead of SQL Server 2008. If SQL Server 2005 is included, installation discs for it accompany your Windows EBS media.
Product keys for CAL packs
You must install and activate a CAL pack, by using a product key, in order to use the CALs in Windows EBS. After a 30 day grace period following the installation of Windows EBS, a CAL must be assigned to a user account or a networked device for a user to access the network.
If you purchased Windows EBS as a fully packaged product or from an OEM, a product key is included for you to install a CAL 5-pack. A product key is also provided whenever you purchase an additional CAL pack for Windows EBS. The product key for the CAL pack is included with the CAL Agreement.
For information about the CAL types and CAL packs for Windows EBS, see “Licensing Overview” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=139093).
For information about purchasing a CAL pack for Windows EBS, see the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=139094).
You must complete the installation of Windows EBS and activate the servers before you can install a CAL pack. To install and activate a CAL pack with a product key, use the Install CAL Pack Wizard in the Windows EBS Administration Console. For more information about managing CALs in Windows EBS, see “Client Access Licenses” at the Microsoft Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=108930).