🪪 Windows Licensing - Key Management Service (KMS)
Ludus users are responsible for ensuring they have valid licenses for all Windows machines licensed via the KMS.
Overview
Ludus provides commands to manage a Key Management Service (KMS) server for activating Windows virtual machines within your ranges. This functionality is available in Ludus enterprise.
The KMS server runs on the Ludus host at a static IP address (192.0.2.1) and is used to activate volume-licensed Windows VMs.
Commands
This section details the available KMS commands.
ludus kms install
Description: Installs a Key Management Service (KMS) server on the Ludus host.
The server will be configured to listen on 192.0.2.1.
Usage:
ludus kms install
Arguments: None
ludus kms license
Description: Licenses one or more Windows VMs using the installed KMS server.
Usage:
ludus kms license --vmids <vmids> [--product-key <key>]
Arguments:
--vmids, -n <vmids>(Required): A comma-separated list of VM IDs to license (e.g.,104,104,105).--product-key, -p <key>(Optional): The specific volume license product key to use for activation. If not provided, Ludus attempts to determine the appropriate key based on the Windows version of the VM.--user <userID>(Optional, Admin only): Impersonate a specific user to license VMs in their range.
Usage Examples
1. Install the KMS server:
ludus kms install
# Wait for the installation to complete.
2. License a single Windows VM:
Windows servers that have been promoted to Domain Controllers cannot be licensed. License the VM before configuring Active Directory.
# Assuming VM ID 110 is a Windows VM
ludus kms license --vmids 110
3. License multiple Windows VMs:
# Assuming VM IDs 110 and 112 are Windows VMs
ludus kms license --vmids 110,112
4. License VMs with a specific product key:
Keys can be found at learn.microsoft.com
ludus kms license --vmids 110,112 --product-key TVRH6-WHNXV-R9WG3-9XRFY-MY832
5. License VMs for another user (as admin):
ludus kms license --vmids 205 --user JD