SBC 1000/2000 supports Windows Server 2019 on its ASM for SBC releases 12.0.1 and later, in response to Microsoft's end of support for Windows Server 2012 in October 2023. With this feature, if you wish to upgrade the operating system on your ASM from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019, you are required to purchase an updated Node-Locked License for your SBC 1000/2000 for Windows Server 2019, initialize the ASM with a Windows Server 2019-based image, and activate Windows Server 2019 by entering a Product Key.

For more information on Microsoft's end of support for Windows Server 2012, refer to: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2012-r2.

Note

For newly-manufactured SBCs and SBCs in inventory but not yet shipped, the SBC itself is physically licensed for Windows Server 2019 and the Windows Product Key is automatically applied to activate Windows Server 2019.


License

SBC License for Windows Server 2019 

You must purchase an updated Node-Locked License for your SBC 1000/2000 for Windows Server 2019 from Ribbon Sales or through the Ribbon Partner Portal, so that the SBC can initialize the ASM with a Windows Server 2019-based image. Once you purchase the license, Ribbon sends you an email that contains instructions for accessing the licensing portal to obtain the license. The following table provides information on the updated SBC license for Windows Server 2019.

TypeLicense IDDescription
SBC 1000/2000SBC-1K2K-WIN19-LICMS Windows Server 2019 license for SBC 1000 and SBC 2000 devices with ASM module (upgrade).

For more information on NLL for SBC 1000/2000, refer to: Node-Locked Licensing - SBC 1000/2000 and SBC SWe Edge.


Windows Server 2019 Certificate of Authenticity 

When you place an order to upgrade the operating system on your ASM from Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019, in parallel with sending you an email that contains information on where to obtain your license, Ribbon also sends you a physical upgrade kit that includes an envelope with a license label. This label provides a legal license to run the Windows Server 2019 software. The label also contains the Product Key needed to activate the Windows Server 2019 software.

Warning

Do not attach the license label to your Ribbon SBC 1000 or 2000 unit but keep it with the paperwork for the unit. You need the Product Key to:

  • activate Windows Server 2019 on the ASM

  • replace your unit 

    Note

    Ribbon uses the license label to reimage the replacement system with Windows Server 2019.


Upgrade Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019 on an ASM

The following workflow defines the procedures for upgrading Windows Server 2012 to Windows Server 2019 on an ASM.


Workflow

StepAction
1Install an Updated Node-Locked License on an SBC Edge
2Update the ASM Recovery Partition with a Windows Server 2019-based ASM Image
3Re-Initialize the ASM with an Updated Image
4Apply a Windows Server 2019 Product Key

Install an Updated Node-Locked License on an SBC Edge 

An updated license allows the SBC to recognize the Windows Server 2019 ASM image and to reinitialize the ASM. For more information on installing licenses, refer to: Installing Licenses.


Update the ASM Recovery Partition with a Windows Server 2019-based ASM Image 

For more information on updating the ASM recovery partition, refer to: Updating the ASM Recovery Partition.


Re-Initialize the ASM with an Updated Image 

For more information on re-initializing the ASM with an updated image, refer to: Re-initializing the ASM.


Apply a Windows Server 2019 Product Key

Applying a Windows Server 2019 Product Key allows you to activate Windows Server 2019 on the ASM.

Warning

The ASM requires online connectivity in order to contact the Microsoft Activation servers and to activate Windows.


Start

  1. Log in to your SBC 1000 or 2000.
  2. Click the Tasks tab at the top of the WebUI.
  3. In the left navigation pane, go to Application Solution Module > Apply Windows Product Key. The Apply Windows Product Key pane opens on the right.


  4. In the Product Key to Apply field, enter your Windows Server 2019 ASM Product Key.
  5. Click OK. The following Current Activity Status message opens when you successfully install the Windows Server 2019 ASM Product Key.


Note

Once the Windows Server 2019 is active and the product key is installed, you need to perform a configuration backup to save the product key.