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H3C Servers
HDM Licensing Guide
Document version: 6W100-20230809
Copyright © 2023 New H3C Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written consent of New H3C Technologies Co., Ltd.
Except for the trademarks of New H3C Technologies Co., Ltd., any trademarks that may be mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Contents
Restrictions and guidelines: Local licensing management
Management operation restrictions and guidelines
Registering and installing a license
Obtaining device information from the device
Requesting an activation file on H3C License Management Platform
Installing an activation file on the device
Obtaining an uninstall key on the source device
Obtaining the device information of the destination device
Requesting license transfer on H3C License Management Platform
Installing a new activation file on the destination device
License uninstallation workflow
Obtaining an uninstall file for a license on the device
Requesting license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform
Q: What is a license key and what is an activation file?
Q: Can I change the system time after installing a license?
Q: Do I need to purchase and install new licenses for licensed features after a software upgrade?
Q: Will activated license activation files get lost after the device restarts or is upgraded?
Q: Can I uninstall a license that has expired?
Q: Can I use the old activation file to install a removed license on the device again?
Q: How can I retrieve my license if the license key gets lost?
Q: How can I retrieve an activation file?
Overview
About licenses
License refers to authorization, which grants users the legal permission to use specific software functions provided by H3C.
Log in to the HDM Web interface, select Configuration > License Management from the left navigation pane. As shown in Figure 1, you can check whether the server has installed any licenses and the status of the installed licenses. Then, select to install the required licenses based on your service demands.
Figure 1 License management page
License types
H3C offers trial (or temporary) and formal licenses. For more information about the license options available for a product, see HDM2 Management Software License Matrixes.
Trial licenses
Trial licenses are provided for you to verify the functionality of premium features so you can make an educated purchase decision. A trial license is time limited (90 days) and cannot be uninstalled or transferred. When a trial license expires, the license-based feature becomes unavailable. To continue to use the feature, you must purchase and install a formal license for it.
To obtain a trial license for a feature:
· Contact your H3C sales representative or technical support.
· Register the trial license key with H3C License Management Platform to obtain an activation file.
· Install the activation file to activate the feature.
Formal licenses
To gain most from a license-based feature, purchase a formal license for it.
Formal licenses are permanently valid and support uninstallation and transfer. For more information about the start time of a formal license's validity period, see HDM2 Management Software License Matrixes.
To install a formal license for a feature:
· Purchase a software license certificate through an official channel.
· Access H3C License Management Platform, and then enter the license key in the certificate and the required device information to obtain an activation file.
· Install the activation file on the target device.
Concepts
The following information describes the basic concepts that you might encounter when you register, install, and manage licenses.
H3C License Management Platform
H3C License Management Platform provides product licensing services for H3C customers. You can access this system to obtain license activation file, transfer licenses, or remove the device and license binding for an uninstalled license.
H3C License Management Platform is accessible at
Software license certificate
A software license certificate allows users to use a license-based feature. It contains license key, license capacity, and other information.
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NOTE: Some of the H3C devices come with software license certificates. If they do not address all your requirements for premium features, purchase software license certificates separately. |
License key
A license key uniquely identifies a license.
· To obtain a formal license key, purchase a software license certificate. The authorization serial number in the software license certificate is the license key.
· To obtain a trial license key, contact your H3C sales representative or H3C technical support. Support for trial licenses depends on the software type. For more information, see HDM2 Management Software License Matrixes.
Device serial number
A device serial number (SN or S/N) is a barcode that uniquely identifies a device.
It comes with the device and must be provided when you request a license in H3C License Management Platform.
Device ID (DID) and DID file
A DID is a string of characters that uniquely identifies a hardware device.
A DID file stores the DID and other information. The product comes with a DID or DID file.
You must provide the DID or DID file when you request a license for the device on H3C License Management Platform.
Activation key and activation file
Activation key/activation file is an authorized credential that binds the license key and hardware device information together. Once the activation key/activation file is installed on the device, the software features on the device can obtain authorization.
An activation code is a string-based authorization credential, and an activation file is a file-based authorization credential.
You must apply for the activation key/activation file from H3C License Management Platform. H3C License Management Platform will automatically generate the activation key or activation file based on the license key and hardware device information you entered when applying for authorization.
Uninstall key and uninstall file
Uninstall key/uninstall file is the proof of revoking the software license from a particular device by the user. To cancel the binding relationship between a license code and a device, or migrate an unexpired license from one device to another, use uninstall key/uninstall file.
An uninstall code is in the form of a string, and an uninstall file is in the form of a file.
When you uninstall a formal license on a device, the system generates an uninstall key or an uninstall file.
License storage
License storage is a persistent storage of fixed size for storing licensing information. This information includes the licensing state, validity period, uninstall key/uninstall file, and other related information.
Data in the license storage persists through reboot. This ensures licensing accuracy and continuity.
Technical support
To obtain assistance, contact H3C by email or phone or access documents at the H3C website.
· Email:
¡ China: [email protected]
¡ Hongkong, China: [email protected]
¡ Other countries or regions: [email protected]
· Technical support hotline:
To find contacts for your local area, access the H3C global contacts page at https://www.h3c.com/en/Support/Online_Help/Service_Hotlines/
· Website: http://www.h3c.com
Local licensing
About local licensing
Local licensing requires license activation device by device.
To install a license on a device:
1. Obtain the license key and the SN and DID information of the device.
2. Access H3C License Management Platform to request an activation file based on the license key and the device's SN and DID information.
3. Install the activation file on the device to activate the license.
The activation file for a license is device locked. You cannot install the activation file for one device to activate the license on another device.
Figure 2 Local licensing procedure
Restrictions and guidelines: Local licensing management
Management operation restrictions and guidelines
· Purchase licenses from H3C authorized channels.
· To identify the validity periods of the licenses that have been installed on the device, log in to the HDM Web interface, and select Configuration > License Management from the left navigation pane, as shown in Figure 3. If the license for a feature is time limited, install a new license for the feature before the old license expires.
Figure 3 Viewing license validity periods
· Licenses are typically device locked. To ensure a successful licensing, use the following licensing guidelines:
a. When you purchase a license certificate, verify the following items:
- Make sure the license is compatible with the target device.
- Make sure its licensed functionality and capacity meet your requirements.
b. When you obtain an activation file, make sure the provided license key and hardware information are correct.
c. Install the activation file on the correct target device.
d. Make sure the license keys and the target devices in the Excel file correspond to each other when you bulk bind licenses to the target devices.
· Make sure no one else is performing license management tasks while you are managing licenses on the device.
· Unless otherwise stated, all character strings entered on H3C License Management Platform are case sensitive. As a best practice to ensure a successful licensing, copy and paste license keys, device SNs, and values for other critical fields as long as possible.
File operation restrictions
When you operate DID files and activation files in license installation, transfer, or uninstallation, follow these restrictions and guidelines:
To avoid licensing error, do not modify the file name or edit the file content.
Registering and installing a license
Local licensing workflow
The procedures for registering and installing formal licenses and trial licenses are the same. Figure 4 shows the licensing procedure.
Figure 4 Local licensing workflow
Licensing requirements
You must purchase, register, and install a license on a per-device basis.
Obtaining a license key
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CAUTION: After you obtain a license key, back it up and keep the backup license key in a safe place for future use. |
Obtaining a formal license key
Purchase a software license certificate from an H3C approved sales channel. The authorization serial number in the software license certificate is the license key.
Obtaining a trial license key
If you need a trial license key to verify the functionality of a feature before you making a purchase decision, contact your H3C sales representative or H3C Support.
Obtaining device information from the device
Device information is required for license registration on H3C License Management Platform.
You can obtain the device information from the Web interface as follows:
1. Log in to the HDM Web interface, and select Configuration > License Management from the left navigation pane.
Figure 5 License management page
2. View the DID information of the server.
Requesting an activation file on H3C License Management Platform
About this task
On H3C License Management Platform, you can use one of the following methods to request an activation file:
· Bind one license key to one device in one request.
· Bind different license keys to different devices in one-to-one correspondence in one request.
Adding license keys
1. Open a browser and access H3C License Management Platform at http://www.h3c.com/cn/License.
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NOTE: As a best practice, use Chrome 80, Edge 108, Firefox 90, Safari 14, or a higher version. |
2. Access the License Activation Requests page.
Figure 6 License Activation Requests page
3. Enter license keys. Use one of the following methods to add license keys:
¡ To add license keys one by one:
# Enter or copy and paste a complete license key in the empty License Key box as shown in Figure 6, and then click Search & Add. The platform will automatically obtain the information associated with the license key.
# Repeat this step to add multiple license keys.
¡ To add license keys by uploading the QR code images for the license keys:
# Click the 
icon next to the License
Key box as shown in Figure 6, and
then upload the QR code image for a license key as shown in Figure 7.
# Click Search & Add in Figure 6. The platform will automatically obtain the information associated with the QR code image.
# Repeat this step to add multiple license keys.
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NOTE: Make sure the uploaded image is complete and clear for the platform to correctly recognize it. |
Figure 7 Uploading the QR code image for a license key
¡ To add license keys in bulk:
# Click Import & Add in Figure 6.
# In the dialog box that opens, click the Download Excel License Key Import Template link to download the Excel license key import template, as shown in Figure 8.
# Enter license keys in the template, save the template, and then upload it to the platform. The license keys in the template are all imported to the platform.
The contents in the template are as shown in Figure 9.
Figure 9 Contents in the Excel license key import template
4. Select license keys to be activated, and then click Next as shown in Figure 10.
Figure 10 Finishing adding license keys
Binding license keys to devices
1. Verify that the license keys to be activated are all added.
¡ To add a license key on the page as shown in Figure 11:
- Click Add.
- Enter or copy and paste a complete license key in the License Key
column, or click the 
icon in the column to upload the QR code image for a license key.
- Click the Add icon + to add the license key.
¡ To remove a license key, select that license key, and then click Remove.
2. Enter device information as instructed by H3C License Management Platform:
To obtain device information, use the method as described in "Obtaining device information from the device."
Use one of the following methods to bind license keys to devices:
¡ To bind one license key to one device:
# Click the 
icon
next to the Custom device ID box in the license key entry, as shown in Figure 12.
# In the dialog box that opens, enter the required device information, and then click Yes.
# Repeat the steps to bind multiple license keys to different devices.
Figure 12 Entering device information
¡ To bind one license key to one device in bulk:
# Select the target license keys as shown in Figure 11, and then click Export to export the selected license keys to an excel file.
# Open the excel file, and then enter device information for each license key. Make sure one license key corresponds to one device.
# Click Import to import the Excel file.
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NOTE: · The custom device ID field is optional. The value for this field is user defined, and it is used to identify a device. As a best practice to facilitate device management and location, use the combination of the device model, IP address, physical position, and other information as the custom device ID. This custom device ID takes effect only on the current license activation request. It cannot take effect after you leave the license activation request page and re-open the page. If you do not define a custom device ID, the device automatically defines it. · When you perform one-to-one binding in bulk, some devices do not support importing or exporting device information because they require device information files for license key binding. The exported Excel file contains information to help you identify such devices. |
3. Review the bindings carefully. Each license key will be locked to the device to which each of them is bound. Make sure you understand the impact of the binding operation, select the option that explicitly states so, and then click Next, as shown in Figure 13.
Figure 13 Finishing binding license keys to devices
Specifying user information
As shown in Figure 14, enter user information, and then click Next. Table 1 describes the parameters.
Figure 14 Entering user information
Table 1 User information configuration parameters
|
Parameter |
Description |
Remarks |
|
End Customer Company/Organization |
Company or organization that uses the licenses. |
Required |
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Your Company/Organization |
Company or organization with which the license applicant works. |
Required |
|
Contact Person |
Name of the contact person. |
Required |
|
Phone Number |
Contact phone number. |
Required |
|
Email Address |
Contact email address.
H3C License Management Platform will send the generated activation files to this email address. Make sure the email address is correct and available. |
Required |
|
Zip/Postal Code |
Zip code or postal code for the contact address. |
Optional |
|
Address |
Contact address. |
Optional |
|
Project Name |
Project name. |
Optional |
|
Verification Code |
The verification code is case insensitive. |
Required |
Reviewing information and activating the licenses
1. Review the license key and device information, select I accept all terms and conditions of H3C License Service Portal Legal Statement, and then click Confirm & Activate, as shown in Figure 15.
Figure 15 Reviewing information and activating the licenses
2. Double-check the license key and device information, and then click OK in the dialog box as shown in Figure 16.
Figure 16 Confirmation dialog box
The platform automatically generates an activation file for each binding. Then, you can click Get Activation Info in the Get Activation Info column for a license key to download the activation file and send it to the specified email address, as shown in Figure 17.
Figure 17 Downloading activation files
3. To obtain the activation files generated for this request:
¡ Click Get Activation Info as shown in Figure 17 to download the activation file to the local PC.
¡ Click Bulk Get Activation Info as shown in Figure 17 to obtain all activation files generated for this request, including activation files (see Figure 18) and the activation information sheet (see Figure 19).
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NOTE: As a best practice, click Bulk Get Activation Info to obtain all activation files generated for this request. The activation information sheet provided by this method facilitates you to record and manage activation files. |
Figure 18 Obtaining activation information in bulk
Figure 19 Activation information sheet
¡ Access the email box at the specified address to obtain the activation files.
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NOTE: · Typically, H3C License Management Platform generates one activation file for one license key. · It takes some time for H3C License Management Platform to generate multiple activation keys/files. In this scenario, you cannot download the activation keys/files from the webpage. To obtain the activation keys/files, you must access the email box at the specified address. · If you do not receive an activation file for a license key from the platform and cannot use the license key to re-apply for license activation, contact H3C Support. |
Installing an activation file on the device
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CAUTION: Back up an activation file before you install it. If the activation file is inadvertently deleted or becomes unavailable for some other reason, you can use the backup activation file to restore the license. |
To use a license-based feature, install an activation file for the feature on the device.
1. Log in to the HDM Web interface, and select Configuration > License Management from the left navigation pane as shown in Figure 20.
Figure 20 License management page
2. Browse to the license activation file.
3. Click Activate.
Viewing license information
After the installation, log in to the HDM Web interface, and select Configuration > License Management from the left navigation pane to view information about the installed licenses, as shown in Figure 21.
Transferring licenses
About this task
Perform this task to transfer a license that has not expired from one device to another in the same product series.
For the support of the product for license transfer, see HDM2 Management Software License Matrixes.
License transfer workflow
Figure 22 License transfer workflow
Restrictions and guidelines
You can transfer only formal licenses.
Obtaining an uninstall key on the source device
1. Log in to the HDM Web interface, and select Configuration > License Management from the left navigation pane as shown in Figure 23.
Figure 23 License management page
2. Click Uninstall to uninstall the license.
3. Click the 
icon in the License
State column to export the uninstall file, as shown in Figure 24.
Figure 24 Exporting the uninstall file
Obtaining the device information of the destination device
Log in to the destination device, and obtain information as described in "Obtaining device information from the device."
Requesting license transfer on H3C License Management Platform
Entering uninstallation information
1. Open a browser and access H3C License Management Platform at http://www.h3c.com/cn/License.
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NOTE: As a best practice, use Chrome 80, Edge 108, Firefox 90, Safari 14, or a higher version. |
2. Click the Device License Transfer Requests tab.
If you have not logged in to the system, the Log In page opens. Enter your account information and log in to the system as instructed. This prevents unauthorized license transfer, protects asset security, and ensures traceability of transfer operations.
Upon a successful login, you are redirected to the Device License Transfer Requests page.
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NOTE: Finish license transfer within 4 hours after you access the license transfer request page. If you fail to do that, the system will request you to log in again and automatically return to the first application step. |
Figure 25 Device License Transfer Requests tab
3. Select Uninstall File in Figure 25, and upload the uninstall file. For more information about obtaining an uninstall file, see "Obtaining an uninstall key on the source device." Use one of the following methods to enter uninstallation information:
¡ Import uninstall files one by one:
Click Click to Upload in Figure 25 and then click Search & Add. H3C License Management Platform obtains uninstallation information in the file automatically. You can repeat the task to import multiple uninstall files.
¡ Import uninstall files in bulk:
# Click Import & Add in Figure 25.
# In the dialog box that opens, click the Download Excel Uninstall Key Import Template link to download the Excel uninstall key import template, as shown in Figure 26.
# Enter Uninstall keys in the template and upload the Excel file back to H3C License Management Platform to obtain uninstallation information.
4. Select the uninstallation information to be transferred, and then click Next.
Figure 27 Finishing uploading the uninstall file
Binding uninstallation information to hardware devices
1. On the Bind to hardware device page, verify that the uninstall file that will be transferred is all added.
2. To remove a device that does not need to be transferred, select it, and then click Remove.
Figure 28 Binding uninstallation information to hardware devices
3. Bind the uninstallation information of the source device to the destination device.
4. Review the bindings carefully. Each uninstall key will be locked to the device to which each of them is bound.
5. Make sure you understand the impact of the binding operation, select the option that explicitly states so, and then click Next. For more information, see "Binding license keys to devices."
Specifying user information
Enter user information, and then click Next. For more information, see "Specifying user information."
Reviewing information and activating the licenses
Confirm and activate the licenses to obtain new activation files. For more information, see "Reviewing information and activating the licenses."
Figure 29 Completing license transfer request
Installing a new activation file on the destination device
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CAUTION: Back up an activation file before you install it. If the activation file is inadvertently deleted or becomes unavailable for some other reason, you can use the backup activation file to restore the license. |
Log in to the destination device, and install the activation file. For more information, see "Installing an activation file on the device."
Uninstalling a license
About this task
A license key is bound to a device once you activate the license key on H3C License Management Platform. You cannot bind this license key to another device. To unbind a license key for a license that has not expired from a device, obtain the uninstall key/file for the license on the device. Then, request for license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform.
After license uninstallation is requested successfully, you can use this license key to request a new activation file on H3C License Management Platform.
The new activation file can be installed on another device for license transfer or on the local device for license restoration.
For support of license uninstallation, see HDM2 Management Software License Matrixes.
License uninstallation workflow
Figure 30 License uninstallation workflow
Restrictions and guidelines
You can uninstall only formal licenses.
Obtaining an uninstall file for a license on the device
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CAUTION: If you cannot obtain an uninstall file because of device failure, contact H3C Support to unbind the device from the license. |
Log in to the device and obtain an uninstall file. For more information, see "Obtaining an uninstall key on the source device."
Requesting license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform
Entering uninstallation information
1. Log in to H3C License Management Platform at
2. Click the Device License Uninstall Requests tab.
If you have not logged in to the system, the Log In page opens. Enter your account information and log in to the system as instructed. This prevents unauthorized license uninstallation, protects asset security, and ensures traceability of the uninstallation operations.
Upon a successful login, you are redirected to the Device License Uninstall Requests page.
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NOTE: Finish license uninstallation within 4 hours after you access the license uninstall request page. If you fail to do that, the system will request you to log in again and automatically return to the first application step. |
Figure 31 Device License Uninstall Requests tab
3. Select Uninstall File and upload uninstall files. For more information about obtaining an uninstall file, see "Obtaining an uninstall key on the source device." Use one of the following methods to upload uninstall files:
¡ Manually upload uninstall files one by one and click Search & Add to obtain uninstallation information.
¡ Import uninstall files in bulk. First, click Import & Add and download the Excel uninstall file import template. Then, enter uninstall files in the template and upload the Excel file back to H3C License Management Platform to obtain uninstallation information.
4. Select the uninstallation information to be uninstalled.
5. Click Next.
Specifying user information
Enter user information, and then click Next. For more information, see "Specifying user information."
Reviewing information and uninstalling the licenses
1. Review the uninstallation information, and then select the option that explicitly states your acceptance of all terms and conditions in the legal statement.
2. Click Confirm & Uninstall.
3. Review license and device information, and then click OK. The binding between the device and license key will be removed.
Appendix A FAQs
Licensing FAQs
Q: What is a license key and what is an activation file?
A license key uniquely identifies a license. An activation file uniquely binds a license key to a hardware device. To use a license-based feature, you must install the activation file for that license to the device.
· To obtain a license key, purchase a software license certificate from an H3C approved sales channel.
· To obtain an activation file, access H3C License Management Platform at http://www.h3c.com/cn/License. Then, request an activation file based on the license key and hardware information of the target device.
Q: Can I change the system time after installing a license?
Yes. Changing the system time does not affect the validity period of permanent licenses and time-limited licenses.
Q: Will the device information file (DID file) change automatically? What is the impact if the file changes?
The device information file (DID file) for a device does not change automatically.
If the file changes:
· The installed licenses are not affected.
· Activation files generated by using the old device information file (DID file) cannot be used for license installation. To resolve the issue, contact H3C Support.
· To apply for a new activation file, use the new device information file (DID file).
Q: Do I need to purchase and install new licenses for licensed features after a software upgrade?
No. Unexpired licenses will continue to take effect after the device software upgrades.
Q: Will activated license activation files get lost after the device restarts or is upgraded?
No.
Uninstallation FAQs
Q: Can I uninstall a license that has expired?
H3C offers trial (or temporary) and formal licenses. Formal licenses are valid permanently and trial licenses are valid for 90 days. You can uninstall a trial license after the trial license expired.
Q: Can I use the old activation file to install a removed license on the device again?
No. After license uninstallation, the old activation file loses effect. You can use either of the following methods to install a removed license on the device again:
· Transfer the license.
a. Use the uninstall file to request for a license transfer to the device on H3C License Management Platform, and obtain a new activation file.
b. Install the new activation file on the device.
· Uninstall the license and re-activate the license.
c. Use the uninstall file to request for license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform to unbind the license key from the device.
d. Use the license key to request for license activation again and obtain a new activation file.
e. Install the new activation file on the device.
License retrieving FAQs
Q: How can I retrieve my license if the license key gets lost?
If the license key gets lost before you obtain an activation file, contact H3C Support to retrieve the license key from the license purchase contract.
If the license key gets lost after you obtain an activation file, contact H3C Support and provide the activation file or device information file to retrieve the license key.
Q: How can I retrieve an activation file?
If you accidentally uninstall the activation file in use, or for any other reason, the corresponding license becomes unavailable. To resolve the issue:
1. Export the uninstall file.
2. For more information about obtaining the DID file, see "Obtaining device information from the device."
3. For more information about re-applying for an activation file, see "Requesting an activation file on H3C License Management Platform."
4. For more information about re-installing an activation file, see "Installing an activation file on the device."
Q: What can I do if a license change is required in case of device failure or the occurrence of any other issues?
Contact H3C Support.
