All licenses must be stored in a safe place. Guardant has developed special keys for safe storage of licenses. They are: hardware and software. Read the information about these keys and select the one you need.
Hardware keys
A hardware key is a miniature hardware device with a secure storage area where licenses can be stored. If the "hardware key" protection method was selected when creating the product, the client will not be able to use the software until they connect the key to the computer. All operations are performed inside the device. For example, the key's operating system controls the license expiration date. Below there are the different hardware key models and their capabilities.
| Problem to be solved | Task description | Suitable keys |
|---|---|---|
Operating time limitation | At least one feature has a time limit, i.e. one of the following is selected as the licensing scheme: "Expiration Date", "Time Period", or "Number of Days". | Guardant Time |
| Network Licensing | At least one feature is designed for use on a network or remote desktop. | Guardant Sign Net 10/50/100/Unlim (The number in the model name means the maximum number of network licenses for all features in all products). |
Runtime limitation and network licensing |
| Guardant Sign Net 10/50/100/Unlim (The number in the model name means the maximum number of network licenses for all features in all products). |
| Software distribution on a hardware key |
| Guardant Sign SD — A model with a removable microSD flash card for software distribution (it can be purchased separately at any electronics store) Guardant Sign SD 8/16/32 ГБ (the number in the name indicates the volume of installed flash memory ). |
| Other tasks |
| Guardant Sign Guardant Sign micro — analogue of the Guardant Sign key in a miniature case |
Advantages of hardware keys:
- high level of protection;
- no internet connection required;
- the software can be used on different computers, you just need to connect the key to it.
The disadvantage of hardware keys is that you need to physically deliver the software to the buyer.
Software keys
A software key is a set of protected files and data. Just like a hardware key, a software key can store licenses. A software key is generated depending on the hardware of each computer and the environment in which it will operate. The process of installing a software key on a computer is called activation. The activation process consists of the following steps:
- Create a client license: the Guardant system generates a serial number (a unique set of letters and numbers) for the client.
- The serial number transfer to the client: the serial number can be sent by email, printed on the product box, or transferred in any other way.
- The first launch of the software and the confirmation of purchase: the client launches the software and enters the serial number.
- The license return: the license is returned and installed on the client's computer.
Advantages of software keys:
- instant activation: the user can immediately start working with the software;
- convenient activation mechanism (online or offline);
- high level of protection (slightly lower than hardware keys).
The disadvantage of software keys is that it is difficult to transfer a license from one computer to another.
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