Server 2012 R2 Activation

cj0nes

Hello,

I am studying for my MCSA. I have a copy of Server 2012 R2 that I'm trying to use in a lab. I'm using a virtual environment (VirtualBox). Once I had initially updated and activated the first install, I cloned the vm through VirtualBox. The problem I'm having is when I'm firing up the cloned VMs, they are no longer activated. What are some ways that I can maintain activation?

Thanks.

Slowhand

You can't maintain the activation after cloning, you'll have to re-activate with either a different key or use the trial copy available from Microsoft and simply activate over and over for the 180-day trial period.

iBrokeIT

It depends on the license model you are using. OEM licenses are single use/single activation, Volume License are just that... Also, like SlowHand said, don't maintain activation after a clone because it is a new instance.

cj0nes

Ooh, I like the sound of that trial copy.

netsysllc

Actually the OEM version still comes with virtualization rights for 2VMs and is not just single activation

bohack

I use VMware and sysprep the image once I build it. I'm sure you could do the same in Virtual Box. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG3vXlo2q7M Then you create a snapshot and when your done with the lab, just revert to the snapshot and start all over. The activation doesn't bother you. Essentially the copy will try for 30 days to activate, after the 90th day it will bug you. In labs they never last that long.

itechankit

yeah i also snapshot the image.Its very usefull feature.No need to unintsall the roles again and again and wait