Many Symantec products require activation to fully utilize the capabilities of the software and/or obtain current content (antivirus definitions.) Depending on the product, either activation keys or license files are needed to properly activate software.
Activation Keys and License Files explained:
With few exceptions, products or features that require activation keys are perpetual and once activated, will continue to run without any expiration.
Products or features that require a license file typically have an expiration date and will either stop working or will cease downloading the latest content.
Backup Exec, Backup Exec System Recovery, NetBackup/PureDisk, and Storage Foundation are all examples of perpetual products that require string-based activation keys. The only case where these products will have an expiration date is when used in trial mode.
Symantec Anti-Virus Small Business Edition, Mail Security, Control Compliance Suite, IM Manager, and Scan Engine are all examples of products that require Symantec License Files (.slf) for the purpose of product activation and acquiring current content.
There are some other products that require other types of license files, like Enterprise Vault 6.0 and i3, which will have a unique registration and activation process.
Obtaining activation for your product requiring a license key:
For a new purchase, activation keys are printed directly on the certificate that is sent post product purchase. Optionally, the Enterprise Licensing System (ELS) serial number (capital letter followed by 10 digits) can be registered at the Symantec License Portal for the purpose of license management.
For more information on how to register a serial number, please see the document: Registering a serial number on the License Portal
Version Upgrades
Activation keys are printed directly on the Version Upgrade notification that is delivered post the release date of the new version., Processing a Version Upgrade notification on the Symantec License Portal is optional for the purpose of license management.
Obtaining activation for your product requiring a license file:
A certificate or version upgrade notification may ship with the necessary activation license file attached. If this is not the case, the ELS serial number on the certificate or the Version Upgrade Notification ID will need to be processed on the Symantec License Portal in order to obtain a license file.
Retail/Boxed Product Note: In the event where a certificate is missing from boxed product, a certificate replacement may be requested through Customer Care. If purchased from an authorize Symantec Reseller other than the Symantec Store, it will be necessary to have a Proof of Purchase (not a packing slip) and pictures of the front and back of the package when submitting a case online or over the phone.
Some products may have a unique or manual process for obtaining license activation. These products will not include activation along with a license certificate or version upgrade notification, nor can activation be obtained via the Symantec License Portal in a self-service fashion.
Please see the list below for some of the products that use a different process for acquiring activation:
All Altiris Products and Services
Symantec Gateway Security 400 Series
Symantec Gateway Security 300 Series
Symantec Enterprise Security Manager
How many license keys or license files are necessary to activate a product?
For products like Backup Exec, Backup Exec System Recovery, NetBackup, Storage Foundation and Enterprise Vault, a core license activation component is necessary for activating the base functionality. Additional features or agents are “turned on” by adding those additional licenses to the software.
Products that are node-counting rely on a proper number of license seats in relation to the number of deployed clients or agents. An example of this is IM Manager, SGS Gateway or a managed Anti-Virus Small Business Edition environment. The proper features need to be activated along with the appropriate number of seats.
With all of this taken into consideration, this will dictate how many license keys or license files are necessary to activate a product. Given the various license schemas involved for all of the different products, it is not possible to summarize this information. Therefore, please consult the “Activating your product” KB document for the specific software you are inquiring about or contact a Customer Care representative for further assistance.
Installing license activation into the product:
Some of the most common applications are listed below with a path to the license installation wizard, as it appears from the machine the application is installed on:
· Backup Exec (Windows): Tools>Install Options and License Keys on this Media Server
· Backup Exec System Recovery: Help Menu
· Backup Exec System Recovery Manager: Tools>Options>Licensing
· Ghost Console: Help>Register Console
· NetBackup (Windows): Help>License Keys
· Storage Foundation (Windows): Windows Control Panel)>Add/Remove Programs
· Mail Security for Microsoft Exchange 5.0: Admin>Licensing
· Mail Security for SMTP 5.0: Administration>Licenses
· Brightmail AntiSpam/Message Filtering: Windows file directory>\Program Files\Symantec\SBAS\Scanner\Bin\regwizard.exe
Common menu locations for initiating the install a license installation wizard: Tools, Help Menu, Options, Preferences, Admin or Administration. Other locations may exist, depending on the product and the version. If you are unable to determine the process for installation of the license, please contact the Customer Care Team for your region: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/assistance_care.jsp
Locating .slf license files on a computer:
In some cases, it may be necessary to locate a license file on your computer for the purpose of forwarding on to a Customer Care or Technical Support representative. Information is contained within a license file that will assist a representative in researching or troubleshooting.
Note: It is important that you do not attempt to open up the license file. Doing so may corrupt the license file and render it useless in activating your product.
Here are some of the most common paths where license files are located:
· General location for most products - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Licenses
· Brightmail on Windows - C:\Program Files\Symantec\SBAS\Scanner\bin
· Brightmail on Linux/UNIX - /opt/symantec/sbas/Scanner/sbin
Additional products are covered in the link below:
References:
For more information, please consult the “Activating your product” for the specific product requested or consult the implementation, installation and administration guides of the product.
These documents can be found by following these directions:
1 - Go to this website: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/all_products.jsp
2 - Click on the link for the product
3 - Click on the link for “Documentation” in the right-hand menu
Download the appropriate document from the list.
Document ID: 2009030916233755
Last Modified: 03/31/2009
Date Created: 03/09/2009
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