Overview
Web-activated licensing starts with the sales order. As a part of the sales order, the user needs to provide a licensing contact. As soon as the order is complete, the licensing contact receives an Activation Key by email that they enter into the software during or after the installation process.
More specifically, the user runs a license activation tool that is provided with the installation and copy/pastes in the key. This tool then generates a locking code, transmits it over the internet to a license generation server, which in turn sends a license file back to the user’s machine and adds it to the installation.
The locking code is based on multiple hardware characteristics. Computer Key (USB key) is no longer needed or supported for Web-Activated licensing.
Important
The license file is now locked to multiple locking criteria including Ethernet Address and CPU Info String. Any changes affecting any of these locking criteria, including maintenance, repair or reformatting the machine, will cause the license file to no longer work and also prevent the license file from being deactivated. Please deactivate the license before taking any action that may alter any of the locking criteria.
License activation, deactivation, reactivation and renewal
Standalone licenses run the StandAloneKey.exe license activation tool to activate, deactivate, reactivate, and renew their web-activated license. This tool can be found in the CSiLicensing subfolder of the product installation, and a shortcut is provided on the Windows Start menu. The activation key is only required to activate or reactivate a license. Users should always deactivate their license before uninstalling the software product.
Important
The license activation server ports are 8080 and 8443. If either of these ports is blocked, they need to be opened, otherwise license activation will not be possible. Please refer to the Error 403 when running activation tool for web-activated license article for additional information.
Troubleshooting standalone license problems
Please refer to the Licensing errors and their resolution article for troubleshooting instructions specific to each error code.
The methods for diagnosing and solving licensing problems for web-activated licensing remain the same as for conventional licensing. A valid "lservrc" license file is still required in the installation folder.