The Register utility version for USB License (REGISTER.EXE) is
basically the same utility as the version for Machine License that allows the
user to handle the USB License Key (dongle). The utility provides the registration
dialog boxes (including the limit, license, and expiration dialog boxes), and
allows the user to activate or upgrade the license to the USB dongle via the
License Key. In addition, the utility provides extra functionality that allows
the user to make the USB dongle remotely (from a normal flash drive) via the
License Key.
If you distribute or deploy a simple application as USB License, you
probably do not need the Register utility. However, the utility can be really
useful in a variety of scenarios. Below are some examples.
·
If you do not want to ship the USB dongle physically, you can deliver
it electronically online. The Register utility allows the user to make the USB
dongle (from a normal flash drive), under your control via the License Key.
·
Typically, when the protected application is licensed, it no longer
displays the registration dialog box. The Register utility allows the user to
open the registration dialog box at any time to upgrade the license.
·
If your application is a DLL, a plug-in for an application, or runs as
a service, the Register utility allows the user to open the registration dialog
box for license activation.
·
If you deploy your application as a subscription or time-based license,
the Register utility allows the user to open the registration dialog box at any
time to renew the subscription.
When using the shell protection for USB License, ElecKey
Integrator creates the Register utility for the protected application
automatically. In ElecKey Integrator, under the Select
Application License Type dialog, select the license type as USB License
(Dongle). To enable the utility the ability to make the USB dongle
remotely, ensure that, in the Customize Messages dialog / Registration
Dialog Box Properties dialog box, you enable the USB Drive Selection
Dialog Box option. Note that the created Register utility will have the
Program ID embedded as same as the one assigned to the protected application.
So it cannot be used for another protected application.
If you deploy the Activation Server, you can enable the Register
utility to support automatic activation via the Activation Key. The utility
will have the ability to connect to the server for automatic online methods,
e.g. making the USB dongle, and upgrading the license to the USB dongle. In ElecKey Integrator, under the Customize Messages
dialog, ensure that you select the Dialog Box Style with the Auto
Activation option. In the Registration Dialog Box Properties dialog
box / Options tab, you must also specify the web service URL of your
Activation Server.
NOTE: If you use
the KeyCheck API, you can use the API functions to
create your own Register utility as needed. Or, if you want to use the
provided utility, you can use ElecKey Integrator to
create it as well. In this case, you must use the Integrator to protect a
program (e.g. the provided test program, Hello World, etc.) by assigning the
same Program ID as the one used in your API code. Then, you can keep the
created Register utility for your API application, and discard the shell
protected program. |
Besides the standard GUI (Graphical User Interface), the Register
utility for USB License is also available in the CLI (Command Line Interface)
mode, when enabled to support automatic activation via the Activation Key. The
CLI or console mode is particularly useful that you can create a batch or
script to run the utility in silent mode to make the USB dongle automatically,
for instance, during software installation.
Below is the command usage.
Usage: REGISTER <Activation Key> <USB Drive>
<Options> |
Where |
Activation Key: The Activation Key passed to the utility |
USB Drive: The drive of the USB License Key |
0 = Not used |
1 = Auto-detect |
2 – 24 = Drive D - Z |
Options: Display options |
0 = None |
1 = Display error message |
Examples |
To run the Register utility with USB drive E: in silent mode: |
REGISTER 0123-4567-89AB-CDEF-0123 3 |
To run the Register utility with USB drive E: with error message: |
REGISTER 0123-4567-89AB-CDEF-0123 3 1 |
See Also