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MAC Address (2) |
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MAC Address (2) |
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MAC Address (2)
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MAC Address (2) |
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MAC Address (2) |
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The MAC address of the network adapter is a good criteria because it is still available after a reinstallation of a machine and is independent of disk imaging. Adapters for VPN and dial-up modem adapters are not used because they are not available without internet connect.
There are a few things to be considered as well as in a server environment as for single user installations.
Server with 2 network adapters
If a server has more then one adapter and some PCs access the server through adapter 1, some through adapter 2, then a copy protection violation will occur. In this case we recommend switching to the criteria Volume ID + UNC Pathname.
On the image above you see 5 clients A, B, C, D and E which use an application protected by Licence Protector. All five use the same license file on the central fileserver.
The problem is, that A and B reach the fileserver on a different route than clients C, D and E and therefore the clients have different connected network-cards, here card 0 and card 1, and so they calculate different MAC addresses. But all clients use the same license file and in that license file, let’s assume card 1 is used as installation code.
The result is that only C, D and E will pass the Licence Protector copy protection check. At A and B the check will fail!
If you have such an environment then use or switch to Volume ID or Hostname in comibnation with UNC path as mean of copy protection.
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Server with subnets
In a subnet portioned network environment the MAC address should not be used. All PCs in outer-subnets can not retrieve the MAC address. Switch to Volume ID or Hostname in comibnation with UNC path as mean of copy protection.
Novell Server
Licence Protector can be used on a Novell server for licensing, but the Software Copy Protection will not work because the hardware information like Volume ID or MAC address can not be retrieved from the server.
W-Lan Adapter
Some W-Lan Adapters are 'invisble' for Windows when the network cable is unplugged or a notebook is in battery mode. Switch to Netbiosname on single user maschines or hostname.
PC with multiple network adapters
If a PC has multiple network adapters and is offline, the same situation occurs like described above with W-Lan Adapters.
PDA with network adapter
If a PDA with an inbuilt network adapter is connected to the PC during the activation is done, then it could happen that this network adapter is used because the network adapter of the PDA is added to the PCs network adapters. The PDA should be disconnected and then the MAC address can be used for copy protection.
Windows 98 /NT
The software copy protection with installation code 2 can not be used when using Windows 98 / NT and the license file is on the server. A Windows 98 / NT system can not retrieve this information from the server.
Recommendation: Use installation code 5, 1 or 3 within a network installation with Windows 98 / NT machines.
The installation code 2 works with Windows 98 / NT, when the license file is on the local machine.
Note:
| • | There will be no future support for Windows 98 and Licence Protector with the complete functionality. |
| • | A MAC address can be faked with tools |
| • | If Licence Protector can not retrieve a MAC address the instcode 2 is empty |
Pros/Cons
+ After reinstallation of Windows, the MAC address does not change
+ If an image tool is used, the MAC address is still different
+ Good within a network because the MAC address must be unique
- See considerations above for multiple network cards
- Restricted use in network environment with Windows 98 / NT machines
- Allows several installations of the application on the same machine.
Recommendation
Should be used for enterprise users because disk imaging is often used to set up multiple machines and a reinstallation of Windows does not need a new licensing.
