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*Web-activated licensing* is our automated licensing system and procedure which gives you full control over your [licenses|kb:Licensing]. Once an order is processed, you may immediately and directly license software online, then deactivate, activate, or renew without having to contact {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link}.

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h1. Introduction

h2. For which software does web-activated licensing apply?

*ANSWER:* Web-activated licensing will apply to all major releases for most {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link} software products beginning August 2012.

h2. What is an activation key and how do I obtain one?

The activation key is an alpha-numeric string, emailed to the customer, allowing the customer to activate or reactivate the purchased software through a web-based process.

Your company will receive an email with the activation key, emailed to the addressed supplied at time of order, once your order has been processed.

h2. How do I license my software using the Web-Activated licensing process and activation key?

The Web-Activated licensing process allows the you to license your product directly online. Once you have received your [activation key|kb:Web-activated licensing FAQ#What is an activation key and how do I obtain one?] you can enter it during the software installation process or in the [license activation tool|kb:Web-activated licensing FAQ#What is the license activation tool and where can I access it?] to generate your software license, which activates the software. The generated license file will automatically be stored and saved to the computer or network. You must be connected online during this process.

h2.

The activation key must also be entered to reactivate the software. Software should be deactivated, and then reactivated in the following circumstances:

* *Standalone / Network* -- When changing between standalone and network licensing.

* *Software level* -- For level changes, such as when upgrading from Plus to Nonlinear.

* *Moving licenses* -- When moving a license to a different machine.
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** ex. *Standalone* -- You may deactivate a license on your work computer, then reactivate the same license on your home computer by entering the activation key. This has the same effect as carrying a USB key, however, the USB option will no longer be available to releases after August 2012.
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** ex. *Network* -- To establish a new server, deactivate the network server and all network licenses, uninstall the license manager/server, install at the new location, then enter the activation keys to reactivate the network.

This feature to deactivate then reactivate gives you the freedom to control your licenses without the need to contact CSI. We hope that you appreciate this convenience.

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*NOTE:* Be sure to deactivate the license if you are planning to reactivate the software on a different computer while traveling.
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*NOTE:* Save a copy of the activation key to reactivate the software on a different machine or at a later date.
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h2. How long is the software and its activation key valid?

*ANSWER:* The software license is valid for two years at a time and can be renewed indefinitely for as long as the product version and level stay the same.

The activation key is valid for as along as the product is still valid (version, level and license type remain the same). Activation key is required for activating and reactivating the software.


h2. Does the activation key stay the same?

*ANSWER:* Yes, the activation key you originally received for your software will remain valid as long as your software is still valid. You will need this activation key to reactivate the software after previously deactivating it.

A new activation key will be provided under the following circumstances:

* *New version* -- A new activation key will be issued when changing product version.

* *Level change* -- If you change product levels (i.e. moving between Plus, Advance or Ultimate), you will receive a new activation key.

* *License-type change* \--If you change license type (i.e. moving between StandAlone and Network), you will receive a new activation key.


h1. License renewal

h2. How do I renew my license?

*ANSWER:* Within 30 days of your license expiringexpiration or anytime afterthe itlicense expires, you can renew athe license (if the product is still valid) using the [license activation tool|kb:Web-activated licensing FAQ#What is the license activation tool and where can I access it?]. You will not be required to enter an activation key but willmust havebe to connected online to renew.


h2. What is the license activation tool and where can I access it?

*ANSWER:* The license activation tool allows you to activate, deactivate, reactivate and renew your license. Depending on your license type you can access the tool as follows:

* *StandAlone* -- For standalone licenses it is called StandAloneKey, and can be found in the CSiLicensing subfolder in the installation folder for your software product (SAP2000, ETABS, etc.). In addition, a shortcut can be found in the Windows Start menu under the product folder.

* *Network* -- For a network license, the tool is called NetKey and can be found in the Sentinel RMS 8.5 Utilities installation folder. In addition, a shortcut can be found in the Windows Start menu under the Sentinel RMS 8.5 Utilities folder.


h2. Do I need the activation key to renew my license?

*ANSWER:* The activation key is not necessary for [license renewal|kb:Web-activated licensing FAQ#How do I renew my license?].


h2. What happens when the license expires after two years?

*ANSWER:* Thirty days before expiration and after the [license|kb:Licensing] has expired, the software will prompt you to renew the license using our [license activation tool|kb:Web-activated licensing FAQ#What is the license activation tool and where can I access it?]. You must be connected to the internet to renew your license. You will not need to contact {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link} or your dealer, and an activation key is not required.


h2. Why is there a two-year expiration if the software is valid indefinitely for that version and level?

*ANSWER:* For security reasons our software is licensed for two years at a time...The two-year expiration allows us to update all previous software versions to ensure compatibility with current operating systems.


h1. Software evaluation

h2. How do I evaluate the software?

*ANSWER:* Evaluation versions will become available with the next major release of each software. Evaluation versions will be valid up to one year. The evaluation version is fully functional except limits exporting and printed output capabilities.

A separate Evaluation Portal is available for the download of Evaluation versions. This portal and installation process is separate from that of licensed versions. As Evaluation versions become available, you may register and install without the need to contact {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link}.

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*NOTE:* Please note the Evaluation version is not for professional use and files created in the Evaluation version are not compatible with a professional version(and visa versa). As a result, a licensed professional version cannot serve as a pre-processer or post-processer for work done using an Evaluation version.
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h2. Can I have an Evaluation version on the same computer as a licensed version?

*ANSWER:* Yes, since Evaluation versions have a separate portal and installation procedure from licensed software, both versions may be installed on the same computer.


h1. Moving software

h2. Does the software still lock to a USB key?

*Answer:* Software will no longer lock to a USB key or Disk ID, but instead to an activation key that our web-activated licensing system will determine. Once your order is processed, this automated system will send you an email with the activation key.


h2. How can I move my software without a USB key?

*ANSWER:* Software may be deactivated from one computer, then reactivated on another computer by entering the activation key given at the time of purchase. If you did not retain the email with the activation key, or if you do not know who received the email, feel free to contact {new-tab-link:http://www.csiberkeley.com/}CSI{new-tab-link}.


h1. Network license

h2. Which license manager version is required?

*ANSWER:* The latest version of the license manager, v8.5.0, is required to serve network licensing. Please uninstall an older version of the license manager before installing v8.5.0.


h2. How do I install a network license?

*ANSWER:* To install a network license, the license manager must be connected to the internet while you enter the activation key and obtain the license file. Workstations, however, may be installed at any time without internet connectivity.


h2. How do I move a network license?

*ANSWER:* To uninstall the license manger/server you MUST first deactivate all network licenses. Your activation keys will not be valid for reactivation on the new server unless they have first been deactivated from the previous network server.

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*NOTE:* Be sure to deactivate all network licenses before uninstalling the network server.
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h1. Commuter license

h2. Can I still use the commuter license?

*ANSWER:* Changes have not been made to the commuter license. Note that commuter licenses are only available with network licensing.


h1. See Also

* [kb:Commuter license] article

* [kb:Network license check out] article

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* {email:date=10/26/2012|from=bm|to=office|subject=Web-activated licensing|comment=Announcement of web-activated licensing|id=9896004}
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