Technical data

118 FastIron Ethernet Switch Administration Guide
53-1002637-02
Software-based licensing overview
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• Transaction key – A unique key, along with the LID, used to generate a software license from
the Brocade software portal. The transaction key is issued by Brocade when a license is
purchased. The transaction key is delivered according to the method specified when the order
is placed:
- Paper-pack – The transaction key is recorded on an entitlement certificate, which is
mailed to the customer.
- Electronic – The transaction key is contained in an e-mail message, which is sent instantly
to the customer after the order is placed. The customer receives the e-mail message
within a few minutes after the order is placed, though the timing will vary depending on the
network, Internet connection, and so on.
If a delivery method is not specified at the time of the order, the key will be delivered by the way
of paper-pack.
Software-based licensing overview
Prior to the introduction of software-based licensing, Brocade supported hardware-based licensing,
where an EEPROM was used to upgrade a Layer 2 or base Layer 3 switch to a premium or
advanced Layer 3 switch. With the introduction of software-based licensing, one or more valid
software licenses are required to run such licensed features on the device.
Software-based licensing is designed to work together with hardware-based licensing. The first
release of software-based licensing employs a combination of hardware-based and software-based
licensing. A Brocade device can use hardware-based licensing, software-based licensing, or both.
Future releases that support software-based licensing will use software-based licensing only,
eliminating the need for a customer- or factory-installed EEPROM on the management module or
switch backplane.
Software-based licensing provides increased scalability and rapid deployment of hardware and
software features on the supported Brocade family of switches. For example, for premium
upgrades, it is no longer necessary to physically open the chassis and install an EEPROM to
upgrade the system. Instead, the Web is used to generate, download, and install a software license
that enables premium features on the device.
NOTE
An ICX device only supports software-based licensing. Hardware-based licensing is not supported on
ICX devices.
How software-based licensing works
A permanent license can be ordered pre-installed in a Brocade device when first shipped from the
factory, or later ordered and installed by the customer. In either case, additional licenses can be
ordered as needed.
When a license is ordered separately (not pre-installed), an entitlement certificate or e-mail
message, along with a transaction key, are issued to the customer by Brocade as proof of
purchase. The transaction key and LID of the Brocade device are used to generate a license key
from the Brocade software licensing portal. The license key is contained within a license file, which
is downloaded to the customer’s PC, where the file can then be transferred to a TFTP or SCP server,
and then uploaded to the Brocade device.
Once a license is installed on the Brocade device, it has the following effects: