Overview
Since we have implemented Sentinel (formerly HASP) hardware licensing, its usage and setup have generally been “magical” for the user. Install the program, plug in the key, and it just works.
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- Gemalto
current parent company of the Sentinel product lines - SafeNet
the current brand owner/vendor of the Sentinel product lines (technically a subsidiary of Gemalto) - Sentinel LDK
the latest embodiment of the HASP product - HASP
the original name of the Sentinel hardware keys - Sentinel LDK License Manager
the service installed on a client computer. This is bundled and automatically installed with the Sentinel (formerly HASP) driver. - Sentinel Admin Control Center
a locally installed web interface for interacting with and configuring the Sentinel LDK License Manager - Sentinel Hardware License Key (Commonly referred to as Sentinel HL)
the physical key attached to the computer that contains CEI licenses. It is red and looks very similar to a USB thumb drive.- Diagrams use this representation:
- Actual picture:
- Diagrams use this representation:
Describe the magic and common reasons for it to fail
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As mentioned above, the setup of a license key on a server inside of one routed (or firewalled) network segment apart from clients on an entirely different network segment will likely be interfered with due to broadcast license searches being dropped at the router. One of the advanced methods covered later in this post may be an ideal solution, barring the existence of a lot of broadcast packets on the client systems network(s) that create a broadcast storm or other unintended consequence.
Mobile or home-based remote user accessing a license stored at the office
This configuration is not as common as it used to be since a lot of remote workers will just remotely control their office machine for mobile work. In the case under discussion, a remote worker has the application installed on their home or mobile computer and is connecting to the work VPN to allow the local client to find a license installed in the office. If the virtual network disallows broadcast packet re-broadcasting in the office LAN, the client will not find the license. The “Quick Fix” detailed below is ideal in this situation.
Multi-site setup with license key(s) centralized in one location
Larger customers with multiple locations sometimes run into this scenario. For instance, consider a setup with three locations connected via a site-to-site VPN over the Internet. The license keys are installed in Site A and all three sites have local installs of CEI software. Depending on how many client systems you need to configure, it may be more palatable to go with the second solution in the Advanced section and deploy a configuration file with the application.
The “Quick Fix”
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Use this when you have relatively few clients to connect to a remote License Manager or if there is a limitation preventing use of the advanced methods.
Step One
Install one of our products as usual. This will install the Sentinel LDK License Manager as well.
- Launch a web browser and open the Sentinel Admin Control Center: http://localhost:1947
- Click on “Configuration” in the left-hand navigation menu.
- Choose “Access to Remote License Managers” in the tabs across the top.
Step Two
Configure the Remote License Search Parameters
- For every licensing host, add its IP address. Only enter one IP address per line. If the remote license host is on a system with a dynamic IP address, you may enter a fully qualified domain name (e.g., “server.domain.local”). Keep in mind that the client needs to have continuous access to the DNS server(s) responsible for the domain (e.g., “domain.local”).
- Press the “submit” button to save changes. It may take a couple of minutes, but the local client should find the license keys on the remote systems.
Advanced methods
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If you want to enable the license update service on a server system, you will need to install one of our products. This will not consume a license. Once the application and service are installed, the only other test is to make sure that your Internet filtering software/hardware or firewalls do not block outbound connections to license.thinkcei.com.
NOTE: This post concerns licensing for CEIs on premise products. Multi-user Database Access for ProWrite and FormPro are capabilities controlled by the type of license purchased not the concurrent licensing model CEI uses in all but Hosted/Cloud products. As of October 1, 2016 all ProWrite subscriptions will be Cloud (named user) or Enterprise (concurrent). Enterprise will then be the only ProWrite product with the above described licensing options.