An overview of the licensing process is shown in the flowcharts in Figure 2-1 through Figure 2-3. Figure 2-1 and Figure 2-2 cover receiving and installing the first license for a licensed software product. Figure 2-3 covers installing a replacement license for a product that already has a license. Replacement licenses can be permanent licenses that replace temporary licenses. They are sometimes required for a software update or because hardware changes caused the system identification number to change.

Figure 2-1. Licensing Process for New Software (Part 1)

Figure 2-2. Licensing Process for New Software (Part 2)

Figure 2-3. Licensing Process for a Replacement License

If you received a Software License Registration card, please take a moment to fill out the card. The information you supply on this card is required for generating and delivering a permanent software license.

The card describes how to find the serial number of the system you choose to install the license on and how to get its system identification number. (See “Guidelines for Global Location Brokers and Network License Servers” in Chapter 1 for information on selecting a system to install the permanent license on.)

Once the card is completed, follow the return instructions on the card. A license information sheet with a permanent license will be e-mailed, FAXed, or mailed to you within two business days of Silicon Graphics' or your local service provider's receiving the card.

If you do not have a Software License Registration card, see “Missing Software License Registration Card” in this chapter.

If you did not receive a Software License Registration card or can't find it, and you need to get a license (assuming that the software has been purchased), Figure 2-4 can be photocopied and substituted for the card. You can use the card to request several licenses for one software product.

You can obtain the product name and version number requested on the card from:

The serial number requested on the card is the serial number of the system where a node-locked licensed product will be used, or the serial number of the system that will be the Network License Server for a concurrent licensed product. In most cases, the serial number can be found on the back of a system. It is usually printed above the power cord or on a bar-code label that is above and to the left of the SCSI bus port. Enter one serial number for each license you want.

To get the “Sys ID Number” (sysinfo system identification number) of a system, give this command on each system whose serial number you are providing:

/etc/sysinfo -s 

The output of this command is the system identification number you need.

If you are requesting one or more concurrent licenses, each license authorizes a particular number of nodes (systems) to use the product at any one time. Enter this number in the Quantity column.

Mail, FAX, or phone the information listed to Silicon Graphics or your local service provider as described in “Contacting Silicon Graphics License Administration” in this chapter.

Figure 2-4. Software License Registration Card

The e-mail address, FAX number, telephone number, and mailing address for Silicon Graphics License Administration are listed below. These addresses and telephone numbers can be used if you are a Silicon Graphics customer in the United States or Canada.

If you are not in the United States or Canada, or you purchased the system or software from a vendor other than Silicon Graphics, please contact your local service provider.

To receive the quickest reply, use the first address or telephone number on the list that is available to you.

In an emergency, you can telephone Silicon Graphics at 1-800-800-4744. However, license information isn't usually given out on the telephone because of the difficulty of communicating long passwords.