Applying Product License Keys

The controller‘s license system works on simple software-based key strings. A key string consists of a series of numbers and/or letters. Using these key strings, you can license the software, and enhance the capacity of the controller to manage additional APs.

The key strings can be classified into the following variants:

  • Activation Key — Activates the software. This key is further classified into two sub-variants:
    • Temporary Activation Key — Activates the software for a trial period of 90 days.
    • Permanent Activation Key — Activates the software for an infinite period.

      Note

      Note

      You must obtain a specific permanent activation key to run release v10.01 or later. Once installed, the number of available Radar licenses increments by 2.
  • Option Key — Activates the optional feature:
    • Capacity Enhancement Key Format — For AP:

      Enhances the capacity of the controller to manage additional APs.

      You may have to add multiple capacity enhancement keys to reach the ExtremeWireless's limit. Depending on the appliance model, a capacity enhancement key adds the following APs:
      • C5110 — Adds 25 wireless APs
      • C5210 — Adds 25 or 100 wireless APs
      • C4110 — Adds 25 wireless APs
      • C25 — Adds 1 or 16 wireless APs
      • C35 — Adds 1 or 16 wireless APs
      • V2110 — Adds 1 or 16 wireless APs
      Note

      Note

      If you connect additional wireless APs to an ExtremeWireless controller that has a permanent activation key without installing a capacity enhancement key, a grace period of seven days will start. You must install the correct key during the grace period. If you do not install the key, the controller will start generating event logs every 15 minutes, indicating that the key is required. In addition, you will not be able to edit the Virtual Network Services (VNS) parameters.
    • Capacity Enhancement Key Format — For Radar:

      Enhances the capacity of the controller to manage Radar licenses for multiple APs. Radar capacity licenses are only required for In-Service Scan Profiles (for more information, see Radar License Requirements). The capacity enhancement key includes a capacity increment which determines the number of APs supported as follows:

      License format: RADCAP<nnn> (where <nnn> is the capacity increment):
      • RADCAP001 — Adds 1 wireless AP
      • RADCAP016 — Adds 16 wireless APs
      • RADCAP025 — Adds 25 wireless APs
      • RADCAP100 — Adds 100 wireless APs
      Note

      Note

      Any AP assigned to an In-Service scan profile counts as 1 against the licensed Radar capacity.
The controller can be in the following licensing modes:
  • Unlicensed — When the controller is not licensed, it operates in ‘demo mode.‘ In ‘demo mode,‘ the controller allows you to operate as many APs as you want, subject to the maximum limit of the platform type. In demo mode, you can use only the b/g radio, with channels 6, 11, and auto. 11n support and Mobility are disabled in demo mode.
  • Licensed with a temporary activation key — A temporary activation key comes with a regulatory domain. With the temporary activation key, you can select a country from the domain and operate the APs on any channel permitted by the country. A temporary activation key allows you to use all software features. You can operate as many APs as you want, subject to the maximum limit of the platform type.

    A temporary activation key is valid for 90 days. Once the 90 days are up, the temporary key expires. You must get a permanent activation key and install it on the controller. If you do not install a permanent activation key, the controller will start generating event logs every 15 minutes, indicating that an appropriate license is required for the current software version. In addition, you will not be able to edit the Virtual Network Services (VNS) parameters.

  • Licensed with permanent activation key — A permanent activation key is valid for an infinite period. In addition, unlike the temporary activation key, the permanent activation key allows you to operate a stipulated number of the APs, depending upon the platform type. If you want to connect additional APs, you have to install a capacity enhancement key. You may even have to install multiple capacity enhancement keys to reach the controller‘s limit.

    The following table lists the platform type and the corresponding number of the APs allowed by the permanent activation key.

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Platform Type / Wireless APs Allowed by Permanent Activation Key

Platform Wireless APs permitted by permanent activation key Platform‘s optimum limit Number of capacity enhancement keys to reach the optimum limit
C25 16 50 4 to 34 (depending on the enhancement license type used)
C35 50 125 15 to 75 (depending on the enhancement license type used)
C4110 50 250 8
C5110 150 525 15
C5210 100 1000 9 to 36 (depending on the enhancement license type used)
V2110 (Small) 8 50 17 to 42 (depending on the enhancement license type used)
V2110 (Medium) 8 250 12 to 242 (depending on the enhancement license type used)
V2110 (Large) 8 525 37 to 517 (depending on the enhancement license type used)

If the controller detects multiple license violations, such as capacity enhancement, a grace period counter will start from the moment the first violation occurred. The controller will generate event logs for every violation. The only way to leave the grace period is to clear all outstanding license violations.

The controller can be in an unlicensed state for an infinite period. However, if you install a temporary activation key, the unlicensed state is terminated. After the validity of a temporary activation key and the related grace period expire, the controller will generate event logs every 15 minutes, indicating that an appropriate license is required for the current software version. In addition, you will not be able to edit the Virtual Network Services (VNS) parameters.