Penn State Vista Licensing
The Penn State Computer Store has both Vista Business and Vista Enterprise available for departmental purchase. Vista Ultimate is scheduled to be available in April, 2007.
Vista Business and Vista Enterprise have two types of license keys - MAK (Multiple Activation Key) and KMS (Key Management Service). These types of licenses differ from the single VLK (volume license key) previously used with Windows XP. The reason for this change is the large amount of piracy that went on from using a single key that didn't activate using a Microsoft or University server.
The KMS license is the most similar to the VLK license for Windows XP because it has the ability to activate silently. This license provides a single key which can be used on an unlimited number of machines as long as they can communicate with a Key Management Server. ITS has established a central KMS for the Penn State community. KMS license is best used with machines that are regularly connected to the Penn State network. Information about the KMS and instructions on how to configure your machine to use the KMS are located at http://its.psu.edu/mskms
The alternate Multiple Activation Key (MAK) is available where departmental machines will activate on a server hosted by Microsoft. The activation of the MAK license is, by default, a manual process that must be done within the first 30 days of installation. This type of license is best suited for machines that are not regularly connected to the Penn State network. The University must keep a running total of the number of machines using this license method, thus, if you decide to change from a KMS to a MAK installation the Penn State Computer Store must be informed.
Please note that the MAK license key may change over time if the key ever becomes compromised. A compromised key will most likely not require administrators to change the license key on every MAK license installation; however, from that time forward the previous key will no longer work for initial activations.
Because Vista Ultimate is treated as a retail installation, a unique key is required and must be activated directly with Microsoft. Because of the unique key per machine, Vista Ultimate is NOT recommended for computer lab installations.
Pricing:
Vista Business Upgrade License (SLWNSL103) $54.71
Vista Business Upgrade Media (SMWNSL052) $10.00
Vista Enterprise Upgrade License (SLWNSL104) $85.70
Vista Enterprise Upgrade Media (SMWNSL053) $10.00
Vista Ultimate, no pricing available at this time (available in April)
Departments that opted in for the Windows Upgrade under the Microsoft Campus Agreement will receive Vista Enterprise. ITS will also be able to offer licensing under our Microsft Select Licensing agreement for any version of Vista, but there is a $30 price difference between Vista Business and Vista Enterprise/Ultimate. The Vista Ultimate is expected to be available to Campus Agreement customers in April, 2007.
Departments that have not opted in the Mircrosoft Campus Agreement will have the choice of purchasing Vista Business and Vista Enterprise now, and Vista Ultimate in April, 2007.
Personal purchase licenses are now available through the Penn State Computer Store.
ITS previously organized an informational session with Microsoft representatives to discuss Vista and IE7, Office 2007, and Office Sharepoint Services 2007. You can review the recorded Breeze session here.
