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H3C Software Products
Remote Licensing Guide
Document version: 5W102-20230707
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.
Obtaining information about license-based features
Restrictions and guidelines: Remote licensing
Installation restrictions and guidelines
Registering and installing a license
License registration and installation flowchart
Obtaining the DID file of the license server
Requesting an activation file on H3C License Management Platform
Installing an activation file on the license server
Configuring a license client to obtain licenses from the license server
Obtaining an Uninstall file for a license on the source license server
Obtaining the host information file for the destination license server
Requesting license transfer on H3C License Management Platform
Installing an activation file on the destination license server
License uninstallation workflow
Obtaining an Uninstall file for a license
Requesting license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform
Updating license maintenance time
Exporting maintenance information on the license server
Applying for a maintenance file on the H3C website
Importing the maintenance file to the license server
Q: What is a license key and what is an activation file?
Q: Can I modify the system time of the license server after a license activation file is installed?
Q: How do I deal with an invalid license after a hardware change?
Q: Can licenses continue to be used after the license server is uninstalled and reinstalled?
Q: Can I uninstall an expired license?
Q: Can I install an uninstalled activation file on the license server again?
Q: How do I retrieve a lost license key?
Q: How do I retrieve an activation file?
Q: How do I transfer licenses when the server fails or when license transfer is required?
Overview
H3C offers licensing options for you to deploy features and expand resource capacity on an as needed basis. To use license-based features, you purchase licenses from H3C and install the licenses.
Obtaining information about license-based features
To obtain information about license-based features, their licensing status, and license availability, access the licensing page on the Web management interface. Then, you can purchase and install licenses as needed.
License types
H3C offers preinstalled, trial (or temporary), and formal licenses. Support for preinstalled and trial licenses varies by product. For more information about the license options available for a product, see the license matrixes document for that product.
Preinstalled licenses
Preinstalled licenses are available for use upon product installation. Users do not need to activate them.
A preinstalled license is typically time limited and cannot be uninstalled or transferred.
When a preinstalled license expires, the license-based feature becomes unavailable. To continue to use the feature, you must purchase and install a formal license for it.
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 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:
1. Contact your H3C sales representative or technical support.
2. Register the trial license key with H3C License Management Platform to obtain an activation file.
3. 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 available with different validity periods and their support for uninstallation and transfer of formal licenses depends on product model. For more information, see the license compatibility information document for the product.
To install a formal license for a feature:
1. Purchase a software license certificate through an official channel.
2. Access H3C License Management Platform, and then enter the license key in the certificate and the required device information to obtain an activation file.
3. Install the activation file.
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 key or file, transfer licenses, or uninstall licenses.
H3C License Management Platform is accessible at http://www.h3c.com/en/License.
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 products 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 device model. For more information, see the license compatibility information document for the product.
Device ID (DID) file
A DID file uniquely identifies a license server.
Activation file
An activation file (AF) binds a license to a system.
To use a license-based feature on a system, you must perform the following tasks:
1. Use the license key and the system’s DID file information to obtain an activation file from H3C License Management Platform.
2. Install the activation file on the system.
Uninstall file
When you uninstall an activation file, the system generates an Uninstall file (UF). This information proves that the license and system binding has been removed. You must provide this information when you transfer an unexpired license from one system to another.
Technical support
To obtain assistance, contact H3C by email or phone or access documents at the H3C website.
· Email:
¡ China: service@h3c.com
¡ Hongkong, China: service_hk@h3c.com
¡ Other countries or regions: h3cts@h3c.com
· 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
Remote licensing
About remote licensing
Remote licensing is based on the client-server architecture and applicable to large-sized networks. Remote licensing simplifies license installation and management. With remote licensing, you install licenses, uninstall licenses, or transfer licenses for all license clients from the license server.
The following is the procedure to set up remote licensing:
1. Install the H3C license server on a host.
2. Install the licenses required by license clients on the license server.
3. Enable a license client on each managed product and configure the parameters for communicating with the license server. The parameters include the IP address and port number of the license server and the username and password for accessing the license server.
The managed products can then connect to the license server to obtain licenses as license clients.
Figure 1 Remote licensing
Restrictions and guidelines: Remote licensing
Installation restrictions and guidelines
· Purchase licenses from H3C authorized channels.
· Identify the validity periods of the licenses that have been installed on a license client from the Web interface of the license server. If the license for a feature is time limited, install a new license for the feature before the old license expires.
· Licenses are product locked. When you apply for and install a license, perform the following tasks to ensure licensing accuracy:
a. Identify the target product to be licensed.
b. Identify the feature that requires a license.
c. Verify that the purchased license seat meets your requirements.
d. Verify that the license key is bound to the target license server.
e. Verify that the activation file is installed on the target license server.
· Make sure no one else is performing license management tasks while you are managing licenses on the license server.
· 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 instead of manually entering license keys.
File operation restrictions
To ensure a successful licensing, do not edit the name of a DID file, activation file, or Uninstall file, or edit the file content.
Registering and installing a license
License registration and installation flowchart
The registration and installation procedure, except for obtaining license keys, is the same for trial licenses and formal licenses. Figure 2 shows the procedure for registering and installing a license.
Remote licensing uses activation files for license activation and does not support activation keys.
Figure 2 License registration and installation flowchart
Preparation
Installing the H3C license server
To obtain the up-to-date installation guide for the H3C license server, access the H3C website at https://www.h3c.com.
Adding a client to the license server
1. Log in to the license server and open the client configuration page.
2. Click Add Client.
3. Configure the client parameters such as the username and password for accessing the client, and then click OK.
Configuring routing parameters
Configure network and routing parameters on the license server and each license client to ensure that they can reach each other successfully.
Obtaining license keys
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CAUTION: Back up your license keys, and keep the backup license keys in a safe place for future use. |
Obtaining a formal license key
1. Log in to the licensing page on the Web management interface of a license client and identify features that require licensing.
2. To use a license-based feature, purchase a software license certificate for it. 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 the DID file of the license server
1. Log in to the license server and open the activation file management page.
2. Click Export DID.
The DID file of the license server will be saved to the local disk.
Requesting an activation file on H3C License Management Platform
About this task
On H3C License Management Platform, you can bind one or multiple license keys to one license server or perform the binding operation for multiple servers in one request.
Adding license keys
1. Access H3C License Management Platform at http://www.h3c.com/en/License.
As a best practice, use the following Web browsers:
¡ Google Chrome 62 and later.
¡ Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 and later.
¡ Mozilla Firefox 60 and later.
2. Click License Activation Requests.
Figure 3 Accessing the License Activation Requests page
3. Add license keys one by one, by using QR codes, or in bulk.
4. To add license keys one by one, copy and paste a license key in the empty License Key box that opens, and then click Search & Add, as shown in Figure 3. Repeat this step until all license keys are added.
5. To add license keys by using QR codes, click the 
icon shown in Figure 3. In
the dialog box that opens, upload the QR code image for the license key, and then
click Search & Add shown
in Figure 3. Repeat this step until all license keys are added.
For the platform to recognize the QR code, make sure the image to be uploaded is complete and clear.
Figure 4 Uploading the QR code image for the license key
6. To add license keys in bulk, click Import & Add shown in Figure 3. In the dialog box that opens, choose one method as required.
Figure 5 Accessing the Upload File to Import page
To add license keys in bulk:
¡ Excel license key import template—Click the Download Excel License Key Import Template link in Figure 5 to download the excel license key import template file. Enter the license keys and save the template file. Then click Select to upload the template file that contains the license keys.
Figure 6 License key import template file
¡ License key list—In some specific sales scenarios, H3C provides a license key list in electronic version. Click Select in Figure 5 to upload the list file that contains the license keys.
¡ DID file—Applicable to local licensing. You cannot use a DID file to request an activation file.
¡ Historical activation file for an IMC or U-Center product—Applicable to local licensing. You cannot use a historical activation file for an IMC or U-Center product to request an activation file.
7. Select the license key to be activated, and then click Next.
Figure 7 Completing adding the license key
Binding license keys to a hardware device
1. Check the selected license key.
¡ To
add a new license key, click Add. Copy and
paste the license key to be added or click the 
icon in the License Key column to
upload the QR code image for
the license key. Then click the 
icon.
¡ To remove a license key, select the license key to be removed, and then click Remove.
Figure 8 Adding or removing a license key
2. Enter information about the license server to be bound to each license key as prompted. The license server information varies by product model. For information about obtaining license server information, see "Obtaining the DID file of the license server."
Use one of the following methods to bind license keys to a license server:
¡ To
bind a license key to a license server, click the 
icon
in the Custom device ID column.
In the dialog box that opens, enter the required device information, and then
click Yes. Repeat this step until all license keys are bound.
Figure 9 Entering device information
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NOTE: For some product models, you must select the category to which the product belongs. |
¡ To bind multiple license keys to the same license server, select the license keys, and then click Bulk Bind.
The Custom device ID field is optional. You use it to identify a device. As a best practice, use a combination of device model, IP address, and geographical location as the device ID. The device ID becomes invalid when you access the License Activation Requests page again. If you do not specify this field, the device specifies the device ID automatically.
The Import and Export buttons are not available for bulk binding.
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, and then select the option that explicitly states so. Click Next.
Figure 10 Completing binding the license key to a license server
Entering user information
Enter user information as required, and then click Next.
Figure 11 Entering user information
Table 1 User information
|
Parameter |
Remarks |
|
End Customer Company/Organization |
(Required.) Company or organization that uses the licenses. |
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Your Company/Organization |
(Required.) Company or organization with which the license applicant works. |
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Contact Person |
(Required.) Name of the contact person. |
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Phone Number |
(Required.) Contact phone number. |
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Email Address |
(Required.) Contact email address.
H3C License Management Platform will send the generated activation keys or activation files to this email address. Make sure the email address is correct and available. |
|
Zip/Postal Code |
(Optional.) Zip code or postal code for the contact address. |
|
Address |
(Optional.) Contact address. |
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Project Name |
(Optional.) Project name. |
|
Verification Code |
(Required.) The verification code is case insensitive. |
Reviewing information and activating the licenses
1. Review the license key and device information, and then select I accept all terms and conditions of H3C License Service Portal Legal Statement. Click Confirm & Activate.
Figure 12 Confirming and activating the license
2. Double-check the license key and device information, and then click OK.
Figure 13 Double-checking the license key and device information
The platform automatically generates an activation file for each binding and send them to the specified email address.
Perform one of the following tasks to obtain activation files:
¡ Bind a license key to a license server—Click Get Activation Info to download an activation file to the local disk.
¡ Bind multiple license keys to the same license server—Click Get Activation Info to download a compressed file that contains all activation files to a local disk.
Figure 14 Activating the license succeeded
3. Use one of the following methods to obtain activation information:
¡ Click Get Activation Info in Figure 14 to copy the activation key or download the activation file.
¡ Click Bulk Get Activation Info in Figure 14 to obtain a compressed file that contains all activation files for this request and an activation information list.
As a best practice, use this method to obtain activation information. The activation information list can help you to record and manage the activation files.
Figure 15 Obtaining activation information in bulk
Figure 16 An activation information list
¡ Access the email box at the specified address to obtain the activation keys or activation files.
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NOTE: · When you activate multiple license keys in bulk for a license server, H3C License Management Platform generates multiple activation files. After you install all generated activation files on the license server, you can use all of the licenses. · It takes some time for H3C License Management Platform to generate multiple activation files. In this scenario, you cannot download the activation files from the webpage. To obtain the activation 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 you cannot use the license key to re-apply for license activation, contact H3C Support. |
Installing an activation file on the license server
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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. |
1. Log in to the license server and open the activation file management page.
2. Click Install Activation File, and then upload the activation file.
After the installation, you can view the license information on the license installation page.
Configuring a license client to obtain licenses from the license server
1. Log in to the Web management interface of the system, and open the licensing page.
2. Configure the following license server parameters:
¡ Address: Enter the IP address of the license server.
¡ Port Number: Enter the port number of the license server. The default port number is 5555.
¡ Username: Enter the name of the license client configured on the license server. For more information, see "Adding a client to the license server."
¡ Password: Enter the password of the username.
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NOTE: Support for the license server parameters varies by product model. |
After you configure the license server parameters, the license client will automatically establish a TCP connection to the license server and obtain license information from the server. Then, you can view license information on the licensing page. For more information, see the online help or installation guide for the system.
Transferring licenses
About this task
Perform this task to transfer a license that has not expired from one license server to another. You perform this task on the license server and H3C License Management Platform.
For the support of the product for license transfer, see its license compatibility information document.
License transfer workflow
To transfer licenses from one license server to another, use the workflow in Figure 17.
Figure 17 License transfer workflow
Restrictions and guidelines
You can transfer only formal licenses that have not expired.
Obtaining an Uninstall file for a license on the source license server
For how to obtain an Uninstall file for a license on the source license server, see the user guide for the license server.
Obtaining the host information file for the destination license server
For how to obtain the host information file for the destination license server, see "Obtaining the DID file of the license server."
Requesting license transfer on H3C License Management Platform
1. Log in to H3C License Management Platform at http://www.h3c.com/en/License.
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IMPORTANT: As a best practice, use Google Chrome 62 (or higher), Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 (or higher), Mozilla Firefox 60 (or higher). |
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 the 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 18 Accessing the Device License Transfer Requests page
3. Select Uninstall File, and then click Click to Upload to upload the Uninstall file created on the source license server.
Click Search & Add to obtain uninstallation information. Repeat this step to upload all uninstallation information.
Figure 19 Uploading an Uninstall file
The license server does not support Uninstall keys.
To transfer multiple licenses, click Click to Upload to upload multiple Uninstall files in bulk.
4. Select the uninstallation entries to be uninstalled, and then click Next.
5. Bind uninstalled entries to the destination license server, and then click Next. For more information, see "Binding license keys to a hardware device."
6. Enter user information, and then click Next. For more information, see "Entering user ."
7. Review the information and activate the license to obtain a new activation file for the destination device. For more information, see "Reviewing information and activating the licenses."
Installing an activation file on the destination license server
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CAUTION: Before you install an activation file, back up the file and keep the backup activation file in a safe place. If the activation file is deleted or the license becomes unavailable because of device failure, you can use the backup activation file to restore the license. |
For how to install an activation file on the destination license server, see "Installing an activation file on the license server."
Uninstalling a license
About this task
A license is bound to a license server once you obtain an activation file based on the license key and hardware information of the license server on H3C License Management Platform. You can bind a license only to one license server.
To transfer or restore the license before it expires, you must first uninstall its activation file from the license server, and then request license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform.
After license uninstallation is approved, the license key is available for use again. You can use it to obtain a new activation file on H3C License Management Platform to transfer the license to another license server or restore the license on the original license server.
For the support of the product for license uninstallation, see its license compatibility information document.
License uninstallation workflow
Figure 20 Uninstallation workflow
Restrictions and guidelines
You can uninstall only formal licenses that have not expired.
Obtaining an Uninstall file for a license
1. Log in to the license server.
2. Select the activation file for a license, click Uninstall in the Actions column for that file, and then click Export Uninstall File.
Requesting license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform
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CAUTION: If you cannot obtain an Uninstall file because of license server failure, contact H3C Support to unbind the device from the license. |
To request license uninstallation on H3C License Management Platform:
1. Log in to H3C License Management Platform at http://www.h3c.com/en/License.
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. |
3. Select Uninstall File, click Click to Upload to upload the Uninstall file created on the source license server, and then click Search & Add. Select entries to uninstall, and then click Next.
To upload multiple Uninstall files in bulk, click Click to Upload.
4. Enter user information, and then click Next. For more information, see "Entering user ."
5. Review the uninstallation information, and then select the option that explicitly states your acceptance of all terms in the legal statement.
6. Click Confirm & Uninstall.
7. Review license and device information, and then click OK. The binding between the device and license key will be removed.
Updating license maintenance time
About this task
This function allows you to view license maintenance state of products on the License Server Web interface. When the maintenance service expires, you are prompted to renew it. To renew the maintenance service, contact your H3C sales representative. After renewing the maintenance service, perform the operations in this section to update the license maintenance information.
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NOTE: · Trial licenses do not have maintenance information. · Obtaining maintenance time involves first registration, capacity expansion, upgrade, and maintenance renewal. This section uses first registration as an example to describe the operations. |
License maintenance workflow
Figure 21 License maintenance workflow
Restrictions and guidelines
The system cannot import a maintenance file created earlier than the maintenance file that has been imported to the system.
Exporting maintenance information on the license server
1. Log in to the license server.
2. From the navigation pane, select Licenses > Maintenance Info.
Figure 22 Maintenance Info
3. To export maintenance information to a file and save the file to a local file system, select license SNs, and then click Export.
Applying for a maintenance file on the H3C website
1. Access the Software License Validity Update page at https://www.h3c.com/en/bizPortal/PortalEN/Software/SoftwareMaintenanceEN.aspx.
Figure 23 Software License Validity Update
2. Enter an email address in the field to receive the maintenance file.
3. Click Select File, and select the file saved locally in the "Exporting maintenance information on the license server" section.
4. Click Submit. The system prompts After the submission is successful, the maintenance file will be sent to the email address. Please make sure the email address is correct. Click OK to send the maintenance file to the specified email address, and save the file to a local file system.
Importing the maintenance file to the license server
1. On the Maintenance Info page, click Import.
Figure 24 Maintenance Info
2. On the dialog box that appears, click the area to select the file saved locally in the "Applying for a maintenance file on the H3C website" section or drag the file to the area, and click Import, as shown in Figure 25.
3. After the maintenance file is imported, the Maintenance Info Management page displays the start date and end date of maintenance services.
Figure 26 Maintenance Info
Appendix A FAQ
License activation
Q: What is a license key and what is an activation file?
A: A license key uniquely identifies a license. An activation file uniquely binds a license key to a 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/en/License. Then, request an activation file based on the license key and hardware information of the target device.
Q: Will activated license activation files be lost after the license server reboots or the server software upgrades?
A: No, they will not.
Q: Can I modify the system time of the license server after a license activation file is installed?
A: No. For correct operation of services, do not modify the system time of the server after installing the license activation file.
Q: How do I deal with an invalid license after a hardware change?
A: A license on the license server will become invalid after a hardware change. To restore the license, use one of the following methods:
· License transfer—Perform the following steps:
a. Uninstall the license and export the Uninstall file. For license servers in E11XX versions, you can only use bulk uninstallation to uninstall licenses.
b. Obtain a new DID file for the license server.
c. On H3C License Management Platform, use the Uninstall file and new device information to request license transfer and obtain a new activation file.
d. Install the new activation file on the license server.
· License uninstallation and reactivation—Perform the following steps:
a. Uninstall the license and export the Uninstall file. For license servers in E11XX versions, you can only use bulk uninstallation to uninstall licenses.
b. Obtain a new DID file for the license server.
c. On H3C License Management Platform, use the Uninstall file to request license uninstallation, which unbinds the device and the license key.
d. Use the license key and new device information to request a new activation file.
e. Install the new activation file on the license server.
Support for license transfer or uninstallation depends on the product model. For more information, see the license matrixes document for that product.
Q: Can licenses continue to be used after the license server is uninstalled and reinstalled?
Yes. License information is not deleted after the license server is uninstalled.
License uninstallation
Q: Can I uninstall an expired license?
A: No, you cannot.
Q: Can I install an uninstalled activation file on the license server again?
A: No. An activation file will become invalid after you uninstall it. To restore the license, use one of the following methods:
· License transfer—On H3C License Management Platform, use the Uninstall file to transfer the license to the device again and obtain a new activation file. Then, install the new activation file on the license server.
· License uninstallation and reactivation—Perform the following operations:
a. On H3C License Management Platform, use the Uninstall file to request license uninstallation, which unbinds the device and the license key.
b. Use the license key and device information to request a new activation file.
c. Install the new activation file on the license server.
Support for license transfer and uninstallation depends on the product model. For more information, see the license matrixes document for that product.
Q: Can license information be restored after a backup file is used for restoring the configuration of the license server?
No. Only client settings, system settings, and log settings are restored.
License retrieval
Q: How do I retrieve a lost license key?
A: If you lose the license key before obtaining an activation file, contact H3C Support to retrieve the license key based on the license purchase contract.
If you lose the license key after obtaining an activation file, contact H3C Support and provide the activation file or the device information.
Q: How do I retrieve an activation file?
A: You will be unable to use a licensed feature if its activation file is lost or inadvertently deleted. To retrieve an activation file, use one of the following methods:
· Use the backup activation file.
· Find the activation file from the email box of the applicant.
· Contact H3C Support and provide the license key or device information to retrieve the activation file.
Q: How do I transfer licenses when the server fails or when license transfer is required?
A: Contact H3C Support for help.
