Licenses on USB Keys

Non-configurable GE USB Hardware Key

Non-configurable GE USB hardware keys are pre-loaded with the licensing information for your products. You cannot modify the licensing information contained in these keys. However, if you need additional licenses, you can purchase them from GE and then re-flash keys with a GE-supplied image file that overwrites all existing information and replaces it with updated licensing information.

Configurable GE USB Hardware Key

Configurable GE USB hardware keys will continue to be supported by GE. These configurable keys are plugged into computers connected to the Internet in order to activate licenses on them.

Once activated, a USB key can be used to license a physical or virtual computer that does not need to online. However, changes, upgrades, or returns require the key to be plugged into a computer connected to the Internet so the GE Licensing Server can be accessed.

The final legacy licensing option, keyless software licenses, continues to be supported by GE but will eventually be phased out.

Determining the Type of Hardware Key

The USB icon in the footer of the License Client represents whether the key is inserted in the computer and recognized by the License Client. The color of the USB icon identifies the type of key:

• Blue: Non–configurable hardware key (M5 hardware)
• Green: Configurable hardware key (Advantage hardware key – old type)
• Red: Configurable hardware key (Advantage hardware key – red type)
• Silver: Configurable hardware key (Advantage hardware key – new silver type)
• White: M4 hardware key

If a hardware key is detected but is unreadable, the icon is illuminated with a red slash, such as .