Windows Product Activation
Hello, Most of our virtual machines are Linux, but an increasing number of windows VMs are being integrated into our oVirt DCs. We bought tons of windows server licences, and successfully activated them. Due to how Windows Product Activation is working, when a windows VM is migrating from a host to another, this product activation is reset, launching a 30 days countdown to auto-shutdown. According to this old page : https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windows-activation-wh... and what I can read in microsoft's 2012 server documentations, I then can re-activate it twice during the next 90 days. Assuming I *want* to have *no* control upon the location of the VMs amongst their hosts (I want them to fly freely, confident in the lovely auto-balance scheduler), I understand all this is not the way to go. At present, we have 2003, 2008 and 2012 server editions. the only things I can read about windows 2012 server is related to the commercial aspects (standard licence = 2 VMs, datacenter licencce = infinite # of VMs), but not about this Windows Product Activation trouble. How do you deal with this? Is there a special licence type or something dedicated that would prevent such an uncomfortable situation? (Christmas is near, I favor soft terms.) Regards. -- Nicolas ECARNOT
On Dec 21, 2016, at 8:27 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net> = wrote: =20 Hello, =20 Most of our virtual machines are Linux, but an increasing number of = windows VMs are being integrated into our oVirt DCs. =20 We bought tons of windows server licences, and successfully activated =
=20 Due to how Windows Product Activation is working, when a windows VM is = migrating from a host to another, this product activation is reset, = launching a 30 days countdown to auto-shutdown. =20 According to this old page : =20 = https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windows-activation-= when-virtualizing/ =20 and what I can read in microsoft's 2012 server documentations, I then = can re-activate it twice during the next 90 days. =20 Assuming I *want* to have *no* control upon the location of the VMs = amongst their hosts (I want them to fly freely, confident in the lovely = auto-balance scheduler), I understand all this is not the way to go. =20 At present, we have 2003, 2008 and 2012 server editions. the only things I can read about windows 2012 server is related to the = commercial aspects (standard licence =3D 2 VMs, datacenter licencce =3D = infinite # of VMs), but not about this Windows Product Activation =
=20 How do you deal with this? Is there a special licence type or something dedicated that would =
--Apple-Mail=_07CF79C9-3AC0-40AB-A55C-2683F34D68E3 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Something is triggering the activation that windows is detecting as a = change in hardware. I=E2=80=99ve not had this problem on 2012 or past = versions, you=E2=80=99ll usually encounter it when changing the hardware = drivers (such as converting from physical to virtual). Generally you = want to install compatible drivers (like the ovirt windows guest tools). = A good practice though is to snapshot before you make a change such as = drivers in case you need to set the activation key. For Desktops in VDI when you use a gold image, you generally make a = snapshot before activation - see here for an answer - = https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9-4316-8bfa-= d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dwinserver8se= tup = <https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9-4316-8bfa= -d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dwinserver8s= etup> what kind of activation keys are you using? Do you have KMS server? Tom Gamull them. trouble. prevent such an uncomfortable situation? (Christmas is near, I favor = soft terms.)
=20 Regards. =20 --=20 Nicolas ECARNOT _______________________________________________ Users mailing list Users@ovirt.org http://lists.ovirt.org/mailman/listinfo/users
--Apple-Mail=_07CF79C9-3AC0-40AB-A55C-2683F34D68E3 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 <html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html = charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; = -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" = class=3D"">Something is triggering the activation that windows is = detecting as a change in hardware. I=E2=80=99ve not had this problem on = 2012 or past versions, you=E2=80=99ll usually encounter it when changing = the hardware drivers (such as converting from physical to virtual). = Generally you want to install compatible drivers (like the ovirt = windows guest tools). A good practice though is to snapshot before = you make a change such as drivers in case you need to set the activation = key.<div class=3D"">For Desktops in VDI when you use a gold image, you = generally make a snapshot before activation - see here for an answer = - <a = href=3D"https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9-43= 16-8bfa-d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dwins= erver8setup" = class=3D"">https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9= -4316-8bfa-d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dw= inserver8setup</a></div><div class=3D""><br class=3D""></div><div = class=3D"">what kind of activation keys are you using? Do you have = KMS server?</div><div class=3D""><div class=3D""><br class=3D""><div= class=3D""><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; = font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; = font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: = start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; = widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" = class=3D""><span style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, = sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" = class=3D"">T</span><span style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: = arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, = 255);" class=3D"">om Gamull</span></div> </div> <br class=3D""><div><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""><div = class=3D"">On Dec 21, 2016, at 8:27 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <<a = href=3D"mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net" class=3D"">nicolas@ecarnot.net</a>>= wrote:</div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=3D""><div = class=3D"">Hello,<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">Most of our virtual = machines are Linux, but an increasing number of windows VMs are being = integrated into our oVirt DCs.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">We bought = tons of windows server licences, and successfully activated them.<br = class=3D""><br class=3D"">Due to how Windows Product Activation is = working, when a windows VM is migrating from a host to another, this = product activation is reset, launching a 30 days countdown to = auto-shutdown.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">According to this old page = :<br class=3D""><br class=3D""><a = href=3D"https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windows-act= ivation-when-virtualizing/" = class=3D"">https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windows-= activation-when-virtualizing/</a><br class=3D""><br class=3D"">and what = I can read in microsoft's 2012 server documentations, I then can = re-activate it twice during the next 90 days.<br class=3D""><br = class=3D"">Assuming I *want* to have *no* control upon the location of = the VMs amongst their hosts (I want them to fly freely, confident in the = lovely auto-balance scheduler), I understand all this is not the way to = go.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">At present, we have 2003, 2008 and 2012 = server editions.<br class=3D"">the only things I can read about windows = 2012 server is related to the commercial aspects (standard licence =3D 2 = VMs, datacenter licencce =3D infinite # of VMs), but not about this = Windows Product Activation trouble.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">How do = you deal with this?<br class=3D"">Is there a special licence type or = something dedicated that would prevent such an uncomfortable situation? = (Christmas is near, I favor soft terms.)<br class=3D""><br = class=3D"">Regards.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">-- <br class=3D"">Nicolas= ECARNOT<br class=3D"">_______________________________________________<br = class=3D"">Users mailing list<br class=3D"">Users@ovirt.org<br = class=3D"">http://lists.ovirt.org/mailman/listinfo/users<br = class=3D""></div></div></blockquote></div><br = class=3D""></div></div></body></html>= --Apple-Mail=_07CF79C9-3AC0-40AB-A55C-2683F34D68E3--
Tom, Thank you for answering. Le 21/12/2016 à 14:47, Tom Gamull a écrit :
Something is triggering the activation that windows is detecting as a change in hardware.
Our DCs are made of hosts from 3 different models, so chances are that windows is detecting a different CPU ID or something (that is a pity, as I thought all this was hidden to the guest)
I’ve not had this problem on 2012 or past versions,
It may be true that we only encountered these issues on 2008 R2 guests.
you’ll usually encounter it when changing the hardware drivers (such as converting from physical to virtual). Generally you want to install compatible drivers (like the ovirt windows guest tools).
Every guests here is installed with oVirt guest tools. Since then, we made no driver change, neither on hosts nor guests.
A good practice though is to snapshot before you make a change such as drivers in case you need to set the activation key. For Desktops in VDI when you use a gold image, you generally make a snapshot before activation - see here for an answer - https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9-4316-8bfa-d3...
I'm not sure this was relevant.
what kind of activation keys are you using?
Further readings lead me to think that the kind of key IS the main reason I'm facing this.
Do you have KMS server?
No. I was told to be very prudent with using KMS servers, so not planned. -- Nicolas ECARNOT
On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net> = wrote: =20 Tom, =20 Thank you for answering. =20 Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 14:47, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :
Something is triggering the activation that windows is detecting as a change in hardware. =20 Our DCs are made of hosts from 3 different models, so chances are that = windows is detecting a different CPU ID or something (that is a pity, as = I thought all this was hidden to the guest) =20 I=E2=80=99ve not had this problem on 2012 or past versions, =20 It may be true that we only encountered these issues on 2008 R2 = guests. =20 you=E2=80=99ll usually encounter it when changing the hardware = drivers (such as converting from physical to virtual). Generally you want to install compatible drivers (like the ovirt windows guest tools). =20 Every guests here is installed with oVirt guest tools. Since then, we made no driver change, neither on hosts nor guests. =20 A good practice though is to snapshot before you make a change such as = drivers in case you need to set the activation key. For Desktops in VDI when you use a gold image, you generally make a snapshot before activation - see here for an answer - = https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9-4316-8bfa-= d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dwinserver8se= tup =20 I'm not sure this was relevant. =20 what kind of activation keys are you using? =20 Further readings lead me to think that the kind of key IS the main = reason I'm facing this. =20 Do you have KMS server? =20 No. I was told to be very prudent with using KMS servers, so not =
--Apple-Mail=_35C6AD02-B681-47D7-A574-05865EDDA0F6 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there is a = Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in the same = cluster? Tom Gamull planned.
=20 --=20 Nicolas ECARNOT
--Apple-Mail=_35C6AD02-B681-47D7-A574-05865EDDA0F6 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 <html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html = charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; = -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" = class=3D"">Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced = Parameters) there is a Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all = the hosts in the same cluster?<br class=3D""><div class=3D""> <div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: = 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: = normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: = auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=3D""><span= style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; = font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=3D""><br = class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline">T</span><span style=3D"color: = rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; = background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=3D"">om Gamull</span></div> </div> <br class=3D""><div><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""><div = class=3D"">On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:16 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <<a = href=3D"mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net" class=3D"">nicolas@ecarnot.net</a>>= wrote:</div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=3D""><div = class=3D"">Tom,<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">Thank you for answering.<br = class=3D""><br class=3D"">Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 14:47, Tom Gamull a = =C3=A9crit :<br class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">Something = is triggering the activation that windows is detecting as a<br = class=3D"">change in hardware.<br class=3D""></blockquote><br = class=3D"">Our DCs are made of hosts from 3 different models, so chances = are that windows is detecting a different CPU ID or something (that is a = pity, as I thought all this was hidden to the guest)<br class=3D""><br = class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">I=E2=80=99ve not had = this problem on 2012 or past versions,<br class=3D""></blockquote><br = class=3D"">It may be true that we only encountered these issues on 2008 = R2 guests.<br class=3D""><br class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" = class=3D"">you=E2=80=99ll usually encounter it when changing the = hardware drivers (such as<br class=3D"">converting from physical to = virtual). Generally you want to install<br class=3D"">compatible = drivers (like the ovirt windows guest tools).<br = class=3D""></blockquote><br class=3D"">Every guests here is installed = with oVirt guest tools.<br class=3D"">Since then, we made no driver = change, neither on hosts nor guests.<br class=3D""><br = class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""> A good<br = class=3D"">practice though is to snapshot before you make a change such = as drivers<br class=3D"">in case you need to set the activation key.<br = class=3D"">For Desktops in VDI when you use a gold image, you generally = make a<br class=3D"">snapshot before activation - see here for an = answer<br class=3D"">- <a = href=3D"https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9-43= 16-8bfa-d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dwins= erver8setup" = class=3D"">https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/25c4c85c-c8a9= -4316-8bfa-d3b7848e6dc6/microsoft-vdi-collections-and-activation?forum=3Dw= inserver8setup</a><br class=3D""></blockquote><br class=3D"">I'm not = sure this was relevant.<br class=3D""><br class=3D""><blockquote = type=3D"cite" class=3D"">what kind of activation keys are you using?<br = class=3D""></blockquote><br class=3D"">Further readings lead me to think = that the kind of key IS the main reason I'm facing this.<br class=3D""><br= class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">Do you have KMS = server?<br class=3D""></blockquote><br class=3D"">No. I was told to be = very prudent with using KMS servers, so not planned.<br class=3D""><br = class=3D"">-- <br class=3D"">Nicolas ECARNOT<br = class=3D""></div></div></blockquote></div><br class=3D""></body></html>= --Apple-Mail=_35C6AD02-B681-47D7-A574-05865EDDA0F6--
Le 21/12/2016 à 15:36, Tom Gamull a écrit :
Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there is a Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in the same cluster?
On every VM we use the cluster default setting. And on all our DC we use the same cpu setting. -- Nicolas ECARNOT
--Apple-Mail=_411C627B-11DF-4FAA-8C52-5BFCA1D6639A Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Are there any events in the event log (usually Application Log entries = under Source: Software Licensing Service) similar to this (this error is = unrelated, just example of event log) - = https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471 = <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471> I would consider reporting this to Microsoft, I am unaware of 2008 R2 = having this behavior (I have seen 2008 R2 used on KVM and libvirt for = openstack without issue and be migrated). =20 Tom Gamull
On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net> = wrote: =20 Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 15:36, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :
Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there = is a Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in the same cluster? =20 On every VM we use the cluster default setting. =20 And on all our DC we use the same cpu setting. =20 --=20 Nicolas ECARNOT
--Apple-Mail=_411C627B-11DF-4FAA-8C52-5BFCA1D6639A Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 <html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html = charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; = -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" = class=3D"">Are there any events in the event log (usually Application = Log entries under Source: Software Licensing Service) similar to this = (this error is unrelated, just example of event log) - <a = href=3D"https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471" = class=3D"">https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471</a><div = class=3D"">I would consider reporting this to Microsoft, I am unaware of = 2008 R2 having this behavior (I have seen 2008 R2 used on KVM and = libvirt for openstack without issue and be migrated). <br = class=3D""><div class=3D""> <div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: = 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: = normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: = auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=3D""><span= style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; = font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=3D""><br = class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline">T</span><span style=3D"color: = rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; = background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=3D"">om = Gamull</span></div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: = Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: = normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; = text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: = normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: = 0px;" class=3D""><div style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: = arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" class=3D""><br = class=3D""></div></div> </div> <br class=3D""><div><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""><div = class=3D"">On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <<a = href=3D"mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net" class=3D"">nicolas@ecarnot.net</a>>= wrote:</div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=3D""><div = class=3D"">Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 15:36, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :<br = class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">Under Edit Virtual = Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there is a<br = class=3D"">Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in = the same<br class=3D"">cluster?<br class=3D""></blockquote><br = class=3D"">On every VM we use the cluster default setting.<br = class=3D""><br class=3D"">And on all our DC we use the same cpu = setting.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">-- <br class=3D"">Nicolas = ECARNOT<br class=3D""></div></div></blockquote></div><br = class=3D""></div></body></html>= --Apple-Mail=_411C627B-11DF-4FAA-8C52-5BFCA1D6639A--
Le 21/12/2016 à 16:04, Tom Gamull a écrit :
Are there any events in the event log (usually Application Log entries
With a test server, I'm trying to forcibly reproduce the issue, so I'll tell you soon.
under Source: Software Licensing Service) similar to this (this error is unrelated, just example of event log) - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471 I would consider reporting this to Microsoft, I am unaware of 2008 R2 having this behavior (I have seen 2008 R2 used on KVM and libvirt for openstack without issue and be migrated).
Tom Gamull
On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net <mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net>> wrote:
Le 21/12/2016 à 15:36, Tom Gamull a écrit :
Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there is a Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in the same cluster?
On every VM we use the cluster default setting.
And on all our DC we use the same cpu setting.
-- Nicolas ECARNOT
-- Nicolas ECARNOT
--Apple-Mail=_1BE6AFF5-2EF5-4D54-8B7D-44F15BBBE94B Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 My =E2=80=9Cnot relevant=E2=80=9D response may be relevant now Snapshot that server before and run your tests over and over. If you hit = the limit you can restore the snapshot. That=E2=80=99s what I was = trying to explain. If you hit the rearm limit without a backup to = restore you are going to be in a tough place. Tom Gamull
On Dec 21, 2016, at 10:11 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net> = wrote: =20 Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 16:04, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :
Are there any events in the event log (usually Application Log = entries =20 With a test server, I'm trying to forcibly reproduce the issue, so = I'll tell you soon. =20 under Source: Software Licensing Service) similar to this (this error = is unrelated, just example of event log) - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471 I would consider reporting this to Microsoft, I am unaware of 2008 R2 having this behavior (I have seen 2008 R2 used on KVM and libvirt for openstack without issue and be migrated). =20 Tom Gamull =20 =20
On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net <mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net>> wrote: =20 Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 15:36, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :
Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there = is a Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in the = same cluster? =20 On every VM we use the cluster default setting. =20 And on all our DC we use the same cpu setting. =20 -- Nicolas ECARNOT =20 =20 =20 --=20 Nicolas ECARNOT
--Apple-Mail=_1BE6AFF5-2EF5-4D54-8B7D-44F15BBBE94B Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset=utf-8 <html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"Content-Type" content=3D"text/html = charset=3Dutf-8"></head><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; = -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" = class=3D"">My =E2=80=9Cnot relevant=E2=80=9D response may be relevant = now<div class=3D"">Snapshot that server before and run your tests over = and over. If you hit the limit you can restore the snapshot. = That=E2=80=99s what I was trying to explain. If you hit the = rearm limit without a backup to restore you are going to be in a tough = place.<br class=3D""><div class=3D""> <div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: = 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: = normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; = text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: = auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=3D""><span= style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; = font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=3D""><br = class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline">T</span><span style=3D"color: = rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; = background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class=3D"">om = Gamull</span></div><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: = Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: = normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; = text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: = normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: = 0px;" class=3D""><div style=3D"color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: = arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" class=3D""><br = class=3D""></div></div> </div> <br class=3D""><div><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D""><div = class=3D"">On Dec 21, 2016, at 10:11 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <<a = href=3D"mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net" class=3D"">nicolas@ecarnot.net</a>>= wrote:</div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><div class=3D""><div = class=3D"">Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 16:04, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :<br = class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">Are there any events in = the event log (usually Application Log entries<br = class=3D""></blockquote><br class=3D"">With a test server, I'm trying to = forcibly reproduce the issue, so I'll tell you soon.<br class=3D""><br = class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">under Source: Software = Licensing Service) similar to this (this error is<br class=3D"">unrelated,= just example of event log)<br class=3D"">- <a = href=3D"https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471" = class=3D"">https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471</a><br = class=3D"">I would consider reporting this to Microsoft, I am unaware of = 2008 R2<br class=3D"">having this behavior (I have seen 2008 R2 used on = KVM and libvirt for<br class=3D"">openstack without issue and be = migrated).<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">Tom Gamull<br class=3D""><br = class=3D""><br class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">On Dec = 21, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <<a = href=3D"mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net" class=3D"">nicolas@ecarnot.net</a><br = class=3D""><<a href=3D"mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net" = class=3D"">mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net</a>>> wrote:<br class=3D""><br= class=3D"">Le 21/12/2016 =C3=A0 15:36, Tom Gamull a =C3=A9crit :<br = class=3D""><blockquote type=3D"cite" class=3D"">Under Edit Virtual = Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there is a<br = class=3D"">Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in = the same<br class=3D"">cluster?<br class=3D""></blockquote><br = class=3D"">On every VM we use the cluster default setting.<br = class=3D""><br class=3D"">And on all our DC we use the same cpu = setting.<br class=3D""><br class=3D"">--<br class=3D"">Nicolas = ECARNOT<br class=3D""></blockquote><br class=3D""></blockquote><br = class=3D""><br class=3D"">-- <br class=3D"">Nicolas ECARNOT<br = class=3D""></div></div></blockquote></div><br = class=3D""></div></body></html>= --Apple-Mail=_1BE6AFF5-2EF5-4D54-8B7D-44F15BBBE94B--
Le 21/12/2016 à 16:13, Tom Gamull a écrit :
My “not relevant” response may be relevant now Snapshot that server before and run your tests over and over. If you hit the limit you can restore the snapshot. That’s what I was trying to explain. If you hit the rearm limit without a backup to restore you are going to be in a tough place.
You're totally right, at first I didn't understood where you were going to. Indeed, this sounds a perfect time to use snapshots. Thanks Tom. Nicolas ECARNOt
Tom Gamull
On Dec 21, 2016, at 10:11 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net <mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net>> wrote:
Le 21/12/2016 à 16:04, Tom Gamull a écrit :
Are there any events in the event log (usually Application Log entries
With a test server, I'm trying to forcibly reproduce the issue, so I'll tell you soon.
under Source: Software Licensing Service) similar to this (this error is unrelated, just example of event log) - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/921471 I would consider reporting this to Microsoft, I am unaware of 2008 R2 having this behavior (I have seen 2008 R2 used on KVM and libvirt for openstack without issue and be migrated).
Tom Gamull
On Dec 21, 2016, at 9:48 AM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net <mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net> <mailto:nicolas@ecarnot.net>> wrote:
Le 21/12/2016 à 15:36, Tom Gamull a écrit :
Under Edit Virtual Machine -> System -> (Advanced Parameters) there is a Custom CPU Type you may be able to set, are all the hosts in the same cluster?
On every VM we use the cluster default setting.
And on all our DC we use the same cpu setting.
-- Nicolas ECARNOT
-- Nicolas ECARNOT
-- Nicolas ECARNOT
On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 2:27:05 PM EST Nicolas Ecarnot wrote:
Hello,
Most of our virtual machines are Linux, but an increasing number of windows VMs are being integrated into our oVirt DCs.
We bought tons of windows server licences, and successfully activated them.
Due to how Windows Product Activation is working, when a windows VM is migrating from a host to another, this product activation is reset, launching a 30 days countdown to auto-shutdown.
According to this old page :
https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windows-activation-wh en-virtualizing/
and what I can read in microsoft's 2012 server documentations, I then can re-activate it twice during the next 90 days.
Assuming I *want* to have *no* control upon the location of the VMs amongst their hosts (I want them to fly freely, confident in the lovely auto-balance scheduler), I understand all this is not the way to go.
At present, we have 2003, 2008 and 2012 server editions. the only things I can read about windows 2012 server is related to the commercial aspects (standard licence = 2 VMs, datacenter licencce = infinite # of VMs), but not about this Windows Product Activation trouble.
How do you deal with this? Is there a special licence type or something dedicated that would prevent such an uncomfortable situation? (Christmas is near, I favor soft terms.)
Regards.
Nicolas, IIRC this is what the custom serial number setting is for. As far as I know what happens when you migrate is that some id that windows looks for is changed (because it is generate based on an id at the host level). You can set a custom single value regardless of which host the VM is running on by opening up the edit virtual machine in the UI, then clicking system, at the bottom there is a check box called 'Provide custom serial number policy'. Then you can select VM ID. Once you have done that, if I understand the feature correctly, the ID won't change and windows will not think you have new hardware each time the VM migrates. I could be wrong, but I believe this is what you are looking for.
Le 21/12/2016 à 15:17, Alexander Wels a écrit :
On Wednesday, December 21, 2016 2:27:05 PM EST Nicolas Ecarnot wrote:
Hello,
Most of our virtual machines are Linux, but an increasing number of windows VMs are being integrated into our oVirt DCs.
We bought tons of windows server licences, and successfully activated them.
Due to how Windows Product Activation is working, when a windows VM is migrating from a host to another, this product activation is reset, launching a 30 days countdown to auto-shutdown.
According to this old page :
https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windows-activation-wh en-virtualizing/
and what I can read in microsoft's 2012 server documentations, I then can re-activate it twice during the next 90 days.
Assuming I *want* to have *no* control upon the location of the VMs amongst their hosts (I want them to fly freely, confident in the lovely auto-balance scheduler), I understand all this is not the way to go.
At present, we have 2003, 2008 and 2012 server editions. the only things I can read about windows 2012 server is related to the commercial aspects (standard licence = 2 VMs, datacenter licencce = infinite # of VMs), but not about this Windows Product Activation trouble.
How do you deal with this? Is there a special licence type or something dedicated that would prevent such an uncomfortable situation? (Christmas is near, I favor soft terms.)
Regards.
Nicolas,
IIRC this is what the custom serial number setting is for. As far as I know what happens when you migrate is that some id that windows looks for is changed (because it is generate based on an id at the host level). You can set a custom single value regardless of which host the VM is running on by opening up the edit virtual machine in the UI, then clicking system, at the bottom there is a check box called 'Provide custom serial number policy'. Then you can select VM ID.
Once you have done that, if I understand the feature correctly, the ID won't change and windows will not think you have new hardware each time the VM migrates.
I could be wrong, but I believe this is what you are looking for.
This sounds very encouraging. I have additional tests to drive. I hope I will report here soon. Thank you Alex. -- Nicolas ECARNOT
Windows activation, at least for 2008 and below, depend on enough hardware changes to happen. Each HW (of non-pluggable devices) change is a single 'penalty' point - except for NIC (based on MAC address) which is more. 4 or so points - and it requires re-activation. This does not apply to KMS licenses. So unless you drastically change the hardware, you should be safe. Y. On Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 3:27 PM, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net> wrote:
Hello,
Most of our virtual machines are Linux, but an increasing number of windows VMs are being integrated into our oVirt DCs.
We bought tons of windows server licences, and successfully activated them.
Due to how Windows Product Activation is working, when a windows VM is migrating from a host to another, this product activation is reset, launching a 30 days countdown to auto-shutdown.
According to this old page :
https://mazimi.wordpress.com/2007/07/11/getting-around-windo ws-activation-when-virtualizing/
and what I can read in microsoft's 2012 server documentations, I then can re-activate it twice during the next 90 days.
Assuming I *want* to have *no* control upon the location of the VMs amongst their hosts (I want them to fly freely, confident in the lovely auto-balance scheduler), I understand all this is not the way to go.
At present, we have 2003, 2008 and 2012 server editions. the only things I can read about windows 2012 server is related to the commercial aspects (standard licence = 2 VMs, datacenter licencce = infinite # of VMs), but not about this Windows Product Activation trouble.
How do you deal with this? Is there a special licence type or something dedicated that would prevent such an uncomfortable situation? (Christmas is near, I favor soft terms.)
Regards.
-- Nicolas ECARNOT _______________________________________________ Users mailing list Users@ovirt.org http://lists.ovirt.org/mailman/listinfo/users
Le 22/12/2016 à 17:26, Yaniv Kaul a écrit :
Windows activation, at least for 2008 and below, depend on enough hardware changes to happen. Each HW (of non-pluggable devices) change is a single 'penalty' point - except for NIC (based on MAC address) which is more. 4 or so points - and it requires re-activation. This does not apply to KMS licenses.
So unless you drastically change the hardware, you should be safe. Y. Hello Yaniv,
When migrating, these VMs can jump from a recent hardware host to an older one, with a different generation CPU (though of the same intel kind). I read more about this WPA issue, and I also checked : all our licences are MAK_B kind, which I read everywhere that they should not induce such WPA trouble, once they are correctly registered (which I obviously take care of). I also read the list of components that are checked to create a hashed key linked to the licence. As you wrote, changing to many components is triggering a validity break. Knowing this, may I ask you to comment on the promising "VM Custom Serial Number" Alex was talking about : it sounded perfect, but eventually not enough to cope with the hardware change? -- Nicolas ECARNOT
On 22 Dec 2016, at 22:02, Nicolas Ecarnot <nicolas@ecarnot.net> wrote:
Le 22/12/2016 à 17:26, Yaniv Kaul a écrit :
Windows activation, at least for 2008 and below, depend on enough hardware changes to happen. Each HW (of non-pluggable devices) change is a single 'penalty' point - except for NIC (based on MAC address) which is more. 4 or so points - and it requires re-activation. This does not apply to KMS licenses.
So unless you drastically change the hardware, you should be safe. Y. Hello Yaniv,
When migrating, these VMs can jump from a recent hardware host to an older one, with a different generation CPU (though of the same intel kind).
I read more about this WPA issue, and I also checked : all our licences are MAK_B kind, which I read everywhere that they should not induce such WPA trouble, once they are correctly registered (which I obviously take care of). I also read the list of components that are checked to create a hashed key linked to the licence. As you wrote, changing to many components is triggering a validity break.
Knowing this, may I ask you to comment on the promising "VM Custom Serial Number" Alex was talking about : it sounded perfect, but eventually not enough to cope with the hardware change?
That’s what it is for. Does it not work for this case? There was a report of certain bits in cpuid being exposed from hypervisor without emulation, but that was quite obscure and IIRC not related to Windows licenses
-- Nicolas ECARNOT _______________________________________________ Users mailing list Users@ovirt.org http://lists.ovirt.org/mailman/listinfo/users
Le 22/12/2016 à 22:06, Michal Skrivanek a écrit :
I read more about this WPA issue, and I also checked : all our licences are MAK_B kind, which I read everywhere that they should not induce such WPA trouble, once they are correctly registered (which I obviously take care of). I also read the list of components that are checked to create a hashed key linked to the licence. As you wrote, changing to many components is triggering a validity break.
Knowing this, may I ask you to comment on the promising "VM Custom Serial Number" Alex was talking about : it sounded perfect, but eventually not enough to cope with the hardware change?
That’s what it is for. Does it not work for this case?
I still have additional tests to do to validate it. Moreover, as this WPA issue is triggered after 30 days, this kind of tests is taking quite a lot of time. Stay tuned. PS : As usual, I'm very thankful to all who replied, and more generally to everyone on this mailing list for your help throughout the year. -- Nicolas ECARNOT
participants (5)
-
Alexander Wels -
Michal Skrivanek -
Nicolas Ecarnot -
Tom Gamull -
Yaniv Kaul