Hi There, So we'll be moving from our old an trusted SBS 2011 Server to a brand new Server 2019 / Exchange 2019 install pretty soon. For this purpose we have acquired a volume-license for Exchange 2019 and a Dell-OEM ROK License for Server 2019 (+ the required CALs for both off-course). I'm a bit green when it comes to MS Server licensing and activation, but it is my understanding that there needs to be a 90 day (waiting) period between activations and a complication is the ROK-License not allowing for Down-and-Upgrading. I'm planning to use our Server-2019 license as a Hyper-V host and installing Server 2016 using, a evaluation license, and base Exchange 2016 on that install. After that i plan to create a Hyper-V install of Server-2019 / Exchange 2019 migrate to it and decommissioning the Server-2016 /Exch-2016 install My Question(s) is/are the following: Do i use the Volume-License key for the temporary Exchange-2016 install or (can) i leave it (the license field) empty and only use the key when migrating to the ( final) Exchange 2019, without repercussion? If this needs further clarification don't hesitate to ask. Thanks in advance. Ruben
Hello Ruben,
I am no licensing expert at all. You better ask your vendor. The only thing I can add is that I normally use trial media if I need a hop.
Happy New Year :)
Mariette, Thanks for the quick response, i'll ask the vendor! Happy new year! Regards, Ruben
For Future reference: The OEM ROK License means the License is tied to the server of the OEM (in this case Dell) and will not install on other hardware. The OEM ROK License will not let you downgrade, for that a retail or VL license is needed. In this case the way to move forward is to stand up a temporary Server 2016 + Exchange 2016 install on Hyper-V, using the Trial / Evaluation license Microsoft provides which is valid for 180 days, and then migrate on to 2019 from there.