FactoryTalk Activation Customer

FactoryTalk Activation
Danius Silgalis, Marketing Manager

November 2008
Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

Agenda
1. Benefits of New FactoryTalk Activation
2. What is FactoryTalk Activation ?
3. Commercial Literature & Tools
4. Advanced Topics
Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

Benefits of FactoryTalk Activation
• Software Based Activations

• Improve Software Asset Utilization
• Simplified Software Management
• Centralized License Management Console
• Better model for multiple workstation environments
• Reduced software costs
• Provides ability to view FactoryTalk Diagnostics via the Event Viewer
• Grace Period Support
• Web Based Rehost (VIDEO available)
• End-user Options File (VIDEO available)

Software Based Activations
• FactoryTalk Activations are delivered electronically; therefore, no more

lost disks.
– Remove dependence on physical media (3 ½ inch floppy)
• Floppy drives are difficult to come by and now optional on laptops
• All activations reside on an Activation Server, and all activations can and
should be backed up.

Improve Software Asset Utilization
• Multiple users can connect over a network to a centralized computer running the FactoryTalk
Activation Server to allow a single software activation to be shared easily among many users.
`
`
`
`
`
`
FactoryTalk Activation FactoryTalk
Client #1 Activation Client #2
FactoryTalk
Activation Server

Improve Software Asset Utilization
• Allows the ability to easily share licenses among various departments, thereby cutting costs by
eliminating unused license purchases
LIC_1 is not available on
DEPARTMENT A @DEPT_A
DEPARTMENT B
@DEPT_A @DEPT_A
LIC_1 LIC_1
@DEPT_B @DEPT_B
DEPT_A DEPT_B
LIC_1 LIC_1
LIC_2 LIC_2
LIC_3 LIC_3

Simplified Software Management
• Improves License Administration allowing one network administrator to

manage all servers and licenses.
Server
FactoryTalk Activation FactoryTalk Activation

Client #1 ` ` Client #1
` `
` `

Centralized License Management Console
• Provides the license

AllActivation
FactoryTalk
Borrowed
License administrator
Activations
expiration andfrom
dates visible
availability
Activations all users a single
single console
console
Hosting
License usageview
across
servers forenterprise.
the software asset
management:

Easier Support of Multiple Workstations
`
`
`
`
`
`
EVRSI (old) FactoryTalk Activation (new)

• A media disk was used to distribute • With a Centralized License
activations to each computer. Console
• In a distributed environment, a FactoryTalk Activation more easily
mapped drive had to be setup to supports distributed or multiple
share licenses
workstation environments
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FactoryTalk Diagnostics via Event Viewer
• Ability to track FactoryTalk Activation diagnostics via the Event Viewer

Grace Period Support ! ! !
• If an activation can’t be located, this period allows the software to run

normally for up to 7 days.
• Introduced (CPR9 products and later)
– This benefit exclusive to FactoryTalk Activation
– Not available with FactoryTalk Activation products prior to CPR9
• Activations are checked when the software is launched
– IMPORTANT NOTE: If an activation isn’t found in 7 days, the application will
continue to run until a power cycle or reboot is done to the computer and the
software is relaunched.

How Does Grace Period Work ?
• If an activation is not found, the 7-day

grace period clock starts.
• During this period, valid activations are
rechecked every 4 hours, and the user
receives notifications.
• As soon as an activation is found, the 7-
day grace period clock stops and is reset,
4 hour rechecking stops, and software
starts and runs normally.
– Since the 7-day grace period clock
resets, the grace period can be
reused.
• If grace period expires, products that
support a demo mode may run in demo
after 7 days.

RSLogix 5000 – Grace Period ! ! !
• IMPORTANT: Be sure to enter the correct serial number during the install
of RSLogix 5000.
• Failure to enter valid serial number means RSLogix 5000 will be restricted
to Service Edition functionality while running within a grace period.

What is FactoryTalk Activation?
• Technology purchased from Acresso Software

– Formerly Macrovision - called FlexLM (now FlexNet Publisher)
– Used by many companies (IBM / Rational, Adobe, Autodesk, etc.)
• Software-based activation management system:
– Based on digitally-signed plain text Activation file
– Can’t be forged or changed
Replacement for FactoryTalk

EVRSI Disk-Based Activation File
Activation
Implementation
Started in April
2004

FactoryTalk Activation Overview
• All FactoryTalk branded products (and

most RS branded products) now support
FactoryTalk Activation (30+ products
have adopted)
– Low volume products supported it 4
years ago, high volume products added
last year
– Multi-million $ RA investment in product
integration and business system
infrastructure
• EVRSI disks no longer delivered with
products but products still support it
– Existing customers (in support) continue
to use it with the latest software
– Customers migrating at about 1000 serial
numbers / month

Activation File – What is it?
• Digitally-signed plain text Activation file:

– Contains serial number, product ID, Host ID and activation
– Can’t be forged or changed
– Can (and should) be backed-up to a safe location
• Multiple product activations of the same type can co-exist in one activation
file
• Multiple activation files can co-exist on the same computer:
– Node-locked and concurrent files
– Mix of EVRSI and FactoryTalk Activation files
Node-Lock Activation Example

VENDOR flexsvr
FEATURE rsntwcn3exe flexsvr 2.0 permanent uncounted HOSTID=1234 \
SIGN="0028 ADA5 ECC8 1EBA 2F06 91EE 3F30 9C0F BBE6 C4B1 3C03 \
BB60 9D3D F222 77B6 7992 6E0E 60C6 DC85 7691 637B"
Assigning a Host ID :
• The Host ID is the key that enables the

selected activation:
– It is a unique value that is used to
identify the computer hosting the
software product.
• Customer must select Host ID
• Options available:
– Serial number of computer hard drive
– Ethernet MAC ID of network interface
card (or NIC)
– Serial number of a FTA dongle (mobile
key)
• Customer must provide Rockwell
Automation with the Host ID:
– Activation file is received in exchange for
the Host ID and serial number / product
key

Host ID – Using Dongle
• A Rockwell Software dongle must be purchased separately from

product software:
– 9509-USBDONG
• The dongle will work as a Host ID for any activation type
• The dongle does not store the activation file
– You will need to move the activation file another way
The dongle has a unique embedded Host ID number.

You cannot use a standard USB memory drive.

Host ID - Using MAC ID
• Be careful when using the MAC ID of a computer network interface card

(or NIC) as your Host ID:
– Sometimes there are multiple network cards connected to a computer:
• One in the docking station
• One built into the laptop
• Virtual NIC on the VPN connection
– Selected NIC must be available to “unlock” the activation at the time of software use.
• PCMCIA NIC card is a valid Host ID.
• USB NIC is a valid Host ID (even on
the other side of a USB hub).

Activation Types
• Node-Locked Activation:
– Activation is locked to a single computer for the exclusive use
of a single user.
• Concurrent Activation:
– Allows for the shared usage of a FactoryTalk product by many users on
different computers that are geographically separated.
Not all products support both types of activations.

Product Support Chart can be found on KnowledgeBase

Capacity-based Activations
• A type of concurrent activation in which activation is based on some defined

capacity of the product.
• By adding activations to the ones you already have available for a product,
you can make a greater capacity of the product.
• Products priced and sold based on some measure of “system capacity”
– The number of available activations determines the capacity, for example:
• FT Historian Classic – sold based on number of “reporting tags”
• FT Batch – sold based on number of “units”
These products require an Activation Server and don’t support a Node-Locked Activation version.
Capacity activations cannot be borrowed

Node-Locked Activation
• Node-Locked Activation:
– Locks the software activation to a single computer for the exclusive use of a single
user.
– That computer holds the Host ID key to activate the software.
– Network connection is not required for software usage.

Concurrent Activation
• Concurrent Activation
– Activation Server manages pool of activations and shares them with client
computers over a network connection.
− Activation file is stored on and locked to an Activation Server
– Activation server holds the Host ID key used to activate the software
– Network connection to the Activation Server is required to “check out” an
activation.

Concurrent Activation Check Out
• Concurrent activations can be either borrowed or floating.

• Activations can be checked out by other computers:
– Floating activations require a continuous network connection.
or
– Once a Borrowed activations is checked out, computer can disconnect
from the network

Check Out - Floating
• Floating Activation:
– Automatically checked out to client computer when the
client computer runs the software
– This is the default behavior for concurrent activations
Software
In Use

Check In - Floating
• Floating Activation:
– Automatically checked back to activation server when
the client shuts down the software or loses its network
connection
Software
Not In
Use

Check Out - Borrowed
• Borrowed Activation:
– Borrowed activation retrieved from same pool of
activations on the activation server
– Not all products support borrowing
– Activation can be borrowed for up to 90 days (user
configurable)
– Once a borrowed activation is checked out to a particular
computer, the computer can be disconnected from the
network

Check In - Borrowed
• Borrowed Activation:
– After expiration, activation will automatically reappear on
the server
– Activation can only be returned early by the client
computer for others to use.
– Server computer has no ability to prematurely retrieve a
borrowed activation.

Check Out - Borrowed
• Borrowing limits:
– A customer’s software administrator can further
restrict the maximum borrow time to <90 days
Borrowed activations can’t

be manually “expired” if a
computer is stolen or not
working.

Does the activation server need to be a
dedicated machine ?
• No, concurrent activations can reside on the same

computer as the application
– The activation server install is a very
“lightweight” application that can be hosted on
practically any computer running a Microsoft
operating system
– Simply one additional service added on the PC
– “Server” does not mean server operating system
– Activation Server is serving up licenses to itself
This enables concurrent activations to behave in the as node-locked

activations.
Frequent Activation Moves
• If you need to move an activation frequently

– Select a dongle as the Host ID
– Load the software on any computer or server:
• Copy the License file to each computer
• The software can only be used when the dongle is attached to the
computer

What You Need to Activate Your Product ?
• FactoryTalk Activation software
• Internet connection at your site

– One computer with a web browser or e-mail at
each site.
– If you do not have an Internet connection at
your site, you can still get the activation
information by telephone or fax
• Activation Certificate
– This document is enclosed in a red envelope
with the software CD.
– It contains the Serial Number and Product
Key of your software product, as well as the
Activation Type you have purchased.
• Activation Insert
– This is included with the software CD as well

How can I download the latest FactoryTalk
Activation Tool ?
• From the Internet browser

– http://licensing.software.rockwell.com
– Select downloads

Which FactoryTalk activation tool do I need ?
• Install FactoryTalk Activation Client Software

– If ONLY node-locked activations purchased
– On a client computer that is pointed to an Activation Server
• Install the FactoryTalk Activation Server software

– If concurrent activations or mixture of both types of activations purchased

Data Required to Get an Activation File
• Information required to obtain an

activation file:
– Activation Certificate:
• Serial number
• Product key
– Host ID(s)

Importance of Activation Insert
• Some FAQs that are answered

– What you need to activate your product ?
– Locating the Activation Certificate in your box
– Getting activation file for a single stand-alone
computer (local or mobile node-locked)
– Setting up your activation server (concurrent)
– Setting up your activation clients (concurrent)
– What if I don’t have Internet access on my
computer?
– What if I don’t have Internet access on many
computers? Do I have to get activations for them
one at a time?

NEW - FT Activation – Process Flow
User Provides Serial Number, Product key and Host ID Redundant

License Servers
@ Rockwell
Corporate
Headquarters
Server Returns the Activation File 24 / 7 / 365

Your Software &
Information Is Enclode
https://licensing.software.rockwell.com
Step 3 Step 4
Step 2 Download
Select Host ID Activation
Enter Product
Data
Step 1 Launch
Wizard
Done!
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rights reserved.
Inc. All rights reserved. 37
Obtaining Activation Files
• Provide Rockwell Automation with Host ID and Activation Certificate data in exchange for
activation file
• Easiest methods (require an Internet connection):
– Activation Wizard
– Web site: https://licensing.software.rockwell.com/
• Alternate methods
– FactoryTalk Transfer Tool (to support non-networked computers)
– Email, FAX, phone

Rockwell Software Activation Website
• Create a .LIC file using the Get Activations Tab

• Download the latest FactoryTalk Activation Tool
• Rehost an Activation
• View FactoryTalk Activation Videos

What are the latest releases of the
FactoryTalk Activation Tool ?
• FactoryTalk Activation (v 3.01 – CPR9 SR1)

– released June 2008
– Supports of the Windows Vista operating system, including Windows Vista and
Windows Vista SP1, Business and Home versions.
– RSLogix5000 Professional, RSLogix5000 Standard both offered as concurrent
activation
• FactoryTalk Activation (v3.02 – CPR9 SR2)

– released October 2008
– Support of Windows Server 2008, Windows XP SP3
– Ability to borrow multiple activations at one time
– Ability to borrow activations as a service

New Directory location for Activation Files
• Identify the location on the FactoryTalk Activation Tool Settings tab.

• The default activation directories for FactoryTalk Activation are:
– 3.0 and earlier - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Rockwell\Activations
– 3.01 and later - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared
Documents\Rockwell Automation\Activations
– 3.01 and later (Windows Vista only) - C:\Users\Public\Documents\Rockwell
Automation\Activations
• If an activation directory already exists when you upgrade to 3.01, the
existing activation path will not be changed.
• To avoid the need for elevated user permissions when activating
software on Windows Vista, save all activation files in the Vista default
directory.

Borrow/Return Multiple Activations at One
Time:
• Activation files can be borrowed
individually or as a group.
• Borrow All button
• Ctrl and Shift functionality

supported

Borrow Duration Time Displayed
• The Borrow Activation dialog box displays the Maximum time activation can be borrowed
using the days and hours format.

Benefits to Refresh button
• If you add or remove activation files or

make changes to the configured paths
on an activation server that has
borrowed activations, you will need to
refresh the activation server because the
activation server cannot be stopped and
restarted.
• You can use the Refresh button on the

Settings tab to check for any changes to
the activation files or their configured
paths while the activation server
continues to run.

Rockwell Software Web Site
• http://www.rockwellautomation.com/rockwellsoftware/factorytalk/activation.html
– FactoryTalk Activation Videos,
– Product Profile, Activation FAQ, Knowledgebase Answers
– Migration Paths

“Get Support Now” Activations Support
• http://www.rockwellautomation.com/support/activations.html
– EVRSI Master Disk Knowledgebase Articles
– FactoryTalk Activation Knowledgebase Articles
– Factory Talk Activation Server and Client installs
– Rockwell Automation Activation Forums

FactoryTalk Activation Videos:
• Integrated Architecture Tools (IA Tools):

– http://www.rockwellautomation.com/soluti
ons/integratedarchitecture/resources4.ht
ml
• Software Videos:
– http://www.rockwellautomation.com/rock
wellsoftware/videos.html

Advanced Topics

Factory Talk Activations with Terminal
Services & Remote Desktop
• Node-Locked Activations:
– Cannot be used in a Remote Desktop or Terminal Services session, whether those node-
locked activations are installed on the local or remote computer.
– Flexlm license agreement
• Concurrent Activations:
– May be used by remote computers during a Remote Desktop or Terminal Services session
when those computers can make a TCP/IP connection to a FactoryTalk Activation Server.
– Must have the concurrent activations for the number of terminals.
– Rockwell Terms of Agreement – End-User License Agreement
– Configure the remote computer’s Client Activation Path (via the FactoryTalk Activation Tool) to
point to the appropriate server name.

“Best Practice” Suggestion FactoryTalk Activation
with Remote Desktop or Terminal Services?
• For users connecting to a Terminal Server, a concurrent activation

must be available for each user even if all of the users are logged in
using the same account name.
• For example, if five users all log in to the same Terminal Server as
administrator and all five wish to use RSLogix 5, the FactoryTalk
Activation server needs to have at least five concurrent activations
available for RSLogix 5.

Set up a backup activation server
• You may want to set up two computers

as the activation server so that one can
serve as a backup in case the other fails.
• This will require setting up the activation

software and activation files on both
computers and locking the activations to
a dongle so that the dongle can be
moved to the second computer in the
event that the first computer fails.
• You will also need to configure the client

computers to look at both server
computers.

To set up backup activation server:
• Install the FactoryTalk Activation Server software on both server

computers.
• Retrieve activation files for one of the server computers using the dongle
as the Host ID .
• Copy the activation files just retrieved to the activation directory on the
backup server computer.
• Configure the client computers to recognize both server computers. To
expedite checkouts, place the primary server at the top of the list of
servers.
• Attach the dongle to the primary server computer.

What to Expect during Failure with a backup
activation server ?
• In the event the primary server computer fails, simply move the dongle to
the secondary server computer.
• You may want to move the secondary server computer to the top of the
list on the Settings tab of the FactoryTalk Activation Tool.
• This may speed up checkouts.

Ghosting Computers and FactoryTalk
Activations
• Allows the ability to restore a configuration of a computer

– OPTION #1: Ghost the computer with all the desired software
loaded but not activated.
• What if activations are included on the Ghost image ?

– OPTION #2: Create a Ghost image for every machine in the
facility and post backup images on a file server.

Questions?
E-mail to
desilgalis@ra.rockwell.com

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FactoryTalk Activation

Danius Silgalis, Marketing Manager

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved.

1. Benefits of New FactoryTalk Activation

2. What is FactoryTalk Activation ?

3. Commercial Literature & Tools

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 2

• Software Based Activations

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 3

• FactoryTalk Activations are delivered electronically; therefore, no more

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 4

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 5

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 6

• Improves License Administration allowing one network administrator to

FactoryTalk Activation FactoryTalk Activation

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 7

• Provides the license

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 8

EVRSI (old) FactoryTalk Activation (new)

(Confidential – For Copyright

• Ability to track FactoryTalk Activation diagnostics via the Event Viewer

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 10

• If an activation can’t be located, this period allows the software to run

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 11

• If an activation is not found, the 7-day

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 12

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 13

• Technology purchased from Acresso Software

Replacement for FactoryTalk

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 14

• All FactoryTalk branded products (and

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 15

• Digitally-signed plain text Activation file:

Node-Lock Activation Example

• The Host ID is the key that enables the

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 17

• A Rockwell Software dongle must be purchased separately from

The dongle has a unique embedded Host ID number.

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 18

• Be careful when using the MAC ID of a computer network interface card

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 19

Not all products support both types of activations.

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 20

• A type of concurrent activation in which activation is based on some defined

Capacity activations cannot be borrowed

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 21

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 22

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 23

• Concurrent activations can be either borrowed or floating.

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 24

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 25

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 26

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 27

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 28

Borrowed activations can’t

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 29

• No, concurrent activations can reside on the same

This enables concurrent activations to behave in the as node-locked

• If you need to move an activation frequently

Copyright © 2008 Rockwell Automation, Inc. All rights reserved. 31