License Formats

Licenses come in three different formats: software, hardware, or cloud.

Most licenses can be activated to any of these three formats. Subscription licenses may only be activated as a cloud license. Some model numbers may be restricted to a specific format.

A license that has been activated as one format can be deactivated and activated as a new format, provided the license is supported in that format.

Software

A software license is stored on a server's hard drive.

Due to copy protection built into the licensing software, software keys are not recommended for virtual machines that may change hosts frequently. Too many changes to the hardware in a short period of time will invalidate the license.

Subscription licenses cannot be activated as software licenses.

Hardware

A hardware license is stored on a USB dongle that must be kept plugged into the GENESIS64 server.

If GENESIS64 detects that a hardware key dongle is present, it will use the license from that dongle. A green status light will light up on the dongle to indicate it is successfully connected.

If the dongle is removed, the license will continue to work for 1 hour, at which point all points and features will become unlicensed.

Time-limited and perpetual dongles: There are two types of hardware dongles, distinguished by the color of the crescent used on their label. (The dongle pictured above has a blue crescent.)

Dongles with a red label can support either perpetual or time-limited licenses. These dongles have an internal battery that cannot be replaced, so they will wear out after approximately 5 years of use. If you think your red dongle has worn out, contact customer service.

Dongles with a blue label can only support perpetual licenses. These dongles have no internal battery and can last longer than five years.

Subscription licenses cannot be activated as hardware licenses.

Cloud

With a cloud license, the license is stored "in the cloud" on an ICONICS-hosted server. The GENESIS64 server must periodically contact the ICONICS cloud licensing server to make sure the license is in good standing.

If GENESIS64 has temporarily lost connection to the ICONICS cloud licensing server, GENESIS64 will continue with the same license for 7 days. If communication has not been reestablished at that time, the license will be considered lost, and all features that require a license will stop functioning.

Cloud is the only license format that supports subscription licenses.

IoTWorX licenses can only be activated in cloud format.