Licensing
This section details the processes around WindFarmer: Analyst license management.
Licensing options
WindFarmer supports the following licensing methods:
License type | Applicable to versions | Description | Activation |
---|---|---|---|
Software license | WindFarmer: Analyst 1.2.1 and later. WindFarmer 5.3.38.9 | A software license that is installed on a single machine. | The license comes as a textual product key which is entered in an activation tool. |
Network software license | WindFarmer: Analyst 1.2.1 and later. WindFarmer 5.3.38.9 | A shared license hosted on a customer's license server. When a user opens windfarmer it checks to see if there are any free seats on the license on the license server. If there’s a free seat it claims it, if there are no free seats you can’t start the WindFarmer software. Once the user closes WindFarmer the license seat is released and is available to other users after a couple of minutes. | See activating a network license |
Hardware dongle, USB key | All WindFarmer versions. Required to run WindFarmer: Analyst version 1.2 and earlier or WindFarmer 5.2 and earlier. | The legacy license type. A USB key must be plugged in to the machine to run WindFarmer. | To activate the license apply the activation v2c file. |
Activating your license
Activating a software license
First install WindFarmer
Navigate to the WindFarmer - Analyst folder in your start menu
Open the 'software licence activation utility' from the start menu.
Open your license text file, and copy the Product Key into the text box:
- Click on Activate License and wait.
- If successful, click on the ‘View Installed Licences’ button, you should be able to see the software license listed under the ‘Local’ location, with a Vendor ID of 48328. This is the WindFarmer vendor ID.
If activation fails, or WindFarmer fails to start, please see the relevant license troubleshooting issues section below.
Important
When you perform computer maintenance, care must be taken so that you do not lose the license. Examples of maintenance could include re-installing your Windows O.S. To prevent license loss temporarily transfer the license to another machine.
Activating a network software license
The network license is hosted on a computer we call the “license server” that must be accessible from others that will use the license.
What is a license server?
To check you can use that you have a machine suitable for use as a license server you must be able to successfully contact, or “ping”, that license server from the machines that need to use the license. It’s usually a machine that’s always turned on. It could be a virtual machine.
To run ping, open command prompt (start menu, type cmd.exe) and write:
ping myLicenseServerMachineName
Where myLicenseServerMachineName is the machine name or IP address.
Hit enter and you should see replies.
License server setup steps
You must install the license framework (not necessarily WindFarmer), activate your licence, and configure some settings to broadcast the network license on your network:
Log on / remote connect to the licence server.
Download and install the latest ‘Software License Activation Utility’ from the WindFarmer knowledge centre under Downloads -> Utilities.
Visit http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html to check the licence manager installation completed successfully and see any existing licences.
Activate the licence
- Open the "WindFarmer Software License Activation Utility 8" from the start menu.
Open your software license text file and copy-paste the key into the Product Key text box of the activation utility.
Click on Activate Licence and wait.
Check the activation was successful
- Browse to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html. It should show the network software licence that was just installed. The licence should be listed under the ‘Local’ location, with a Vendor ID of 48328. This is the WindFarmer vendor ID.
- Click the Features link to view available software features enabled by the licence.
- Browse to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html. It should show the network software licence that was just installed. The licence should be listed under the ‘Local’ location, with a Vendor ID of 48328. This is the WindFarmer vendor ID.
Configure the licence server to share the licence
Browse to http://localhost:1947/_int_/config_from.html and select the following options:
Options Values Allow Access from Remote Clients "All licenses are accessible without need of identity" Browse to http://localhost:1947/_int_/config.html and select the following options:
Options Values Allow Remote Access To ACC HTTP Allow Remote Access to Admin API HTTP Note
Older versions of the licence manager combine these two options into a single option Allow Remote Access to ACC and Admin API – this option should be ticked if it is present.
Click Submit and close the webpage.
Important
When you perform computer maintenance on the license server, care must be taken so that you do not lose the license. Examples of maintenance could include re-installing your Windows O.S. To prevent license loss temporarily transfer the license to another machine.
Be particularly careful if you use a virtual machine as a license server. The license system has protection against being copied, and this can disable the license when running some virtual machine maintenance procedures if you do not first transfer the license.
Connecting to a network license
On the client (software user's) machine:
- Install WindFarmer
- Connect to the network licence
- Open http://localhost:1947/_int_/config_to.html
- Tick the option Allow Access to Remote Licenses.
- Untick the Broadcast and Aggressive Search options.
- Enter the licence server machine name or IP in the Remote License Search Parameters field
- Click Submit.
Browse to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html. The network licence should be listed if you are connected.
WindFarmer can now be run on the client and make use of the network licence. Launch WindFarmer to confirm your installation and licence activation was successful.
If activation fails, or WindFarmer fails to start, please see the relevant license the troubleshooting section below.
Activating a software license (offline)
- Install WindFarmer: Analyst or WindFarmer: Analyst Software Licence Activation Utility.
- Open the 'License Update and Transfer Utility’.
- Select the Collect Status Information' tab.
- Ensure the 'Installation of new protection key' is checked
Click 'Collect Information'
Note
If ‘Installation of new protection key’ is unavailable, this means there is already a software license for our software installed on the machine. In this case
- Select “update of existing protection key” instead and click Collect information to create a c2v file.
- Check http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html and take a screen shot.
- Send the screen shot and c2v to windfarmer@dnv.com
windfarmer@dnv.com may advise you remove the old software license in some cases but in most cases an update can be applied. See the procedure for removing a software license if needed.
- Send the c2v file to windfarmer@dnv.com requesting an offline activation of the license.
- windfarmer@dnv.com will send you a v2c file.
- Open the 'License Update and Transfer Utility’ in the WindFarmer: Analyst program folder.
- Select the 'Apply License File' tab.
- Select you v2c file and click 'Apply Update'.
- Check the activation was successful
- navigate to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html - it should show the licence that was just installed. You should be able to see the software license listed under the ‘Local’ location, with a Vendor ID of 48328.
Update your license
Acquire C2V file for update
The C2V file describes the state of your license and allows us to synchronise this with our database. It is very helpful if you provide a C2V file for license support cases.
Web interface
- Navigate to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html (Sentinel Admin Control Center).
- Identify your WindFarmer license. It has a vendor ID of 48328.
Click the C2V button corresponding to your WindFarmer license and save the file.
Note
If the licence is a network license hosted on another machine you will need to click on the machine name in the "location" column first before the C2V button appears.
License update and transfer utility
- Open the 'License Update and Transfer Utility’ in the WindFarmer: Analyst program folder.
Select the ‘Collect Status Information’ tab, ensure ‘Update of existing protection key’ option is selected and click the 'Collect Information’ button.
Apply a license update
A license update will be provided to you as a *.v2c file which should be applied on the machine that holds the existing license.
- Navigate to http://localhost:1947/_int_/checkin.html
- Click 'Choose file' and select the *.v2c.
- Click 'Apply File' and wait for the license to update.
- Now check http://localhost:1947/_int_/features.html, you should see evidence of the expected changes.
If the license update fails please see our license update troubleshooting tips.
Transfer license to another computer
Terms | Definition |
---|---|
recipient computer | The computer the license is to be transferred to. |
currently licensed computer | The computer the license is to be transferred from. |
1. Recipient computer
- Open the ‘License update and transfer utility’ in the WindFarmer: Analyst Program folder.
Select the ‘Transfer License Tab’.
In the 'Collect information about recipient computer' section. Select where to save the recipient information to and click the ‘Collect and Save Information’ button. This will produce a *.id file.
Click OK to confirm.
Important
The .id file should be generated each time a transfer is required. Do not reuse a previous .id file or there is a risk the license will be lost.
2. Currently licensed computer
Open the ‘License update and transfer utility’ in the WindFarmer: Analyst Program folder.
Select the ‘Transfer License Tab’
In the ‘Generate the license transfer file section’.
- Select the key you wish to transfer,
- Load the *.id file from the recipient computer.
- Select where to write the license transfer file to.
This must be selected using the '...' button (It must be an absolute file path).
- Click the ‘Generate license Transfer File’ button (This should generate a *h2h file).
Click ‘Yes’ to confirm.
Click ‘OK’ to accept the result.
- Copy the *.h2h file to recipient computer.
3. Recipient computer
- Open the ‘License update and transfer utility’ in the WindFarmer: Analyst Program folder.
Select the ‘Apply License File’ tab.
- Add *.h2h file to 'Update File' field.
Click ‘Apply Update’ button.
Tip
Navigate to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html (Sentinel Control Center).You should be able to see the software license listed under the ‘Local’ location, with a Vendor ID of 48328.
Troubleshooting license issues
Many licensing issues can be solved quickly by following the appropriate instructions in the guide below.
This document gives some guidance how to solve the most common issues with WindFarmer software licenses and older dongle licenses. Those can either be when applying a licence update or when using WindFarmer. In general, make sure that the latest license drivers are installed and that WindFarmer is not blocked by your firewall/anti-virus software.
Issues when activating a software license
If your license activation fails when activating a software license with a product key, you will likely see one of the following errors displayed in the log window and in the referenced log file:
Error | Solution |
---|---|
ERROR - Activation failed with exception: HASP error: Internal error in API | Install the latest license drivers. then retry the activation. |
Web exception: Unable to connect to the remote server | When the licence manager is installed (via the WindFarmer installer) it automatically creates the appropriate rules for Windows firewall, but not for other commercial firewall software. Please try activation again later. It may be a temporary access issue. |
Failure, "No remaining activations" | It is possible you or a colleague has already activated your license: it is possible to activate 2 licenses on one machine. Check http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html to see any licenses installed on your machine. You can transfer your license to another computer if required. If you need help, or had other errors prior to this contact License support. |
400 ERROR - Activation failed with web exception: The underlying connection was closed: Could not establish trust relationship for the SSL/TLS secure channel. | This error is seen when you attempt to use old versions of the licence activation tool to activate your licence. Look in the start menu for the folder for the latest version of the WindFarmer: Analyst and use the "Software Licence Activation Utility" found in that folder or download the latest version from the the knowledge centre. Retry your licence activation with the latest activation tool. |
Other failures | Contact license support providing any available information. |
Issues when starting WindFarmer
Take note of the error message recieved when starting the WindFarmer application. Also open the "Sentinel Admin Control Center", Devices, to check for further information on any installed WindFarmer licenses (Vendor ID 48328).
Error message on starting WindFarmer | Suggested solution |
---|---|
Sentinel key not found, (H0007) | Install the latest license drivers. |
18 – HASP_KEYID_NOT_FOUND | The Licence Manager service has been stopped: Restart the service. |
H0033 - Unable to access Sentinel HASP Runtime Environment (H0033) | The Licence Manager service has been stopped: Restart the service |
33 - Communication error between application and local | The Licence Manager service has been stopped: Restart the service |
41 - HASP error: Feature expired | See license expired error on starting WindFarmer below. |
HASP Info: failed to find valid local or network license: status 139 | When this occurs for software license users install the latest license drivers. If you have a hardware dongle and it is flashing see HASP USB Key Not Recognized or Blinking |
HASP Error: API for this Vendor Code was not found | Check http://localhost:1947/int/config.html and select HTTP for "Allow Remote Access to Admin API" |
The following issues can be diagnosed by looking in the "Sentinel Admin Control Center", Devices. WindFarmer licenses have a Vendor ID of 48328.
Error found in Sentinel Admin Control Center | Suggested solution |
---|---|
Cloned notification under key type column. |
Please note that when you perform license server maintenance you must first remove you software licenses from the virtual machine: we do not allow you to copy a license! To fix this issue, if you see a license is cloned, collect a C2V file file and send it to WindFarmer support with a description of the problem. |
Two WindFarmer licenses | There are various ways in which having two WindFarmer licenses can cause problems as WindFarmer does not know which to use. In general unplug a hardware dongle if you have a software license. WindFarmer versions 5.2 or earlier do not work with software licenses. If you need to use your hardware dongle to use temporarilly transfer your software license to another computer. If you need a different license configuration on your software license contact windfarmer@dnv.com. |
License expired error on starting WindFarmer
Possible solutions include:
You have just completed WindFarmer: Analyst trial. It is likely this trial license has expired. If you have a second valid WindFarmer license on your machine there WindFarmer will not know which license to check and may fail to run. Check to see if you have an expired license in http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html. You Can remove the expired license following the license removal instructions.
You have a license for WindFarmer 5 and another for WindFarmer: Analyst.
It is likely this trial license has expired. If you have a second valid WindFarmer license on your machine there WindFarmer will not know which license to check and may fail to run. Check to see if you have an expired license in http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html. You Can remove the expired license following the license removal instructions.
If you believe your license should not have expired, you may be due an update.
- Check your emails to see if you have been sent a V2C file. If you find one try applying this update file.
- If you need support please collect a C2V file and send it windfarmer@dnv.com with a description of your problem. The C2V file describes the state of your license and allows us to synchronise this with our database.
Issues when updating a license
The following issues can be experienced when applying a V2C file to update a license.
Error message | Suggested solution |
---|---|
54 Update was already installed | The update has already been applied to the license. It is normally seen if the update does not make the changes required to the license so you tried to apply it again. collect a C2V file and send it windfarmer@dnv.com with a description of your problem. |
55 - Another Update must be installed first | Previous updates have not been installed. V2C files must be applied in sequence. Check your emails to see if you have previously been sent other updates and apply them in sequence. If this fails collect a C2V file and send it windfarmer@dnv.com with a description of your problem. |
19 - Update data consistency check failed | Outlook applied formatting to the codes when emailed. Contact windfarmer@dnv.com. |
V2C File is Invalid | It is possible your email client is corrupting the update file. Contact windfarmer@dnv.com. |
License support
If you experience a problem with a solution not described here, contact windfarmer@dnv.com including the following information to help us quickly resolve your issues:
- A description of the problem.
- A screen shot of your licenses shown in http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html.
- A screen shot of the features on your licenses shown in http://localhost:1947/_int_/features.html.
- Any error logs from the license activation process found at [%temp%\GH.Common.HASP.ActivationClient.log
- If you experienced an error starting WindFarmer please also share a screen shot of this error and any log files (see below on how to collect the log files)
WindFarmer Log Files
WindFarmer records some internal operations to a log file. Each time you start WindFarmer a new log file is created. Up to 10 older log files are stored (the filename contains the date and time that the WindFarmer session started).
To find the log files, open a File Explorer window and go to %temp%\WindFarmerAnalyst Logs
.
This will take you to the folder where they are stored. Sort by the ‘Date modified’ column to see the latest one at the top. If a crash occurs in WindFarmer Analyst and you want to report a bug, there is also a file called “WindFarmerAnalyst Exception.log”
that will sometimes contain extra information about the crash.
These log files are VERY useful to developers when investigating bugs, so please attach the relevant log file when reporting bugs.
License maintenance processes
Install the latest license drivers
Please remove any hardware dongles from your computer before installing license drivers.
Download the latest set of drivers from the manufacturer’s (Thales) website here.
The download you need is called “Sentinel HASP/LDK - Windows GUI Run-time Installer”. You will need to agree to the Sentinel SLA before being able to download the file.
Once installed, if you have a dongle connect it again and it may then go through an update procedure. This will be complete when the red light on the dongle stops flashing.
If you have problems with the GUI driver installation, try the command line installation: download the Sentinel HASP LDK - Command Line Run-time Installer:
- Unzip the folder locally – this includes a file called haspdinst.exe.
- Open the command line (make sure you run it as administrator from the right-click options).
- Then change the directory to where the haspdinst.exe is stored. (type “cd
”) - In the command line run “haspdinst -purge”
- In the Windows Control Panel go to Programs and Features and check if the Sentinel Runtime is listed. If this is the case, uninstall it.
- Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services check if there are any services starting with
"Sentinel HASP"
,"Hasp"
, or"HLServer"
and stop them - Erase any aks. files,
“hardlock.sys”
and“haspnt.sys”
from“c:\windows\system32\drivers”
– remember that on 64 Bit OS there is another directory to check:“c:\windows\sysWOW64\...”
- Control Panel > System > Device Manager · Select the menu “View\Show hidden devices · Expand the part “Non plug and play drivers” · Uninstall each of the following if exists: “Hardlock”, “Haspnt”, “HASP fridge”.
- Reboot Install driver in command line as before running “haspdinst –i”
Forceful license removal
Warning
This procedure should only be followed if recommended by our support team.
Navigate to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html (Sentinel Control Center) to see your available licenses.
Quick instructions
- Navigate to the folder below where WindFarmer software license files are stored:
- C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\SafeNet Sentinel\Sentinel LDK\installed\48328
Remove any unwanted license files. You can change the folder name to allow you to re-enable the license easily later by re-instating the original name.
Note
In most cases you will want to remove all license files, if you need to remove a specific license see the mode detailed instructions below.
Reboot your machine to restart the license manager
- Navigate to http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html (Sentinel Control Center). The unwanted license should now be removed.
Detailed instructions
Locate the key you wish to delete (check the features on each key) and make a note of the key ID.
Click ‘Certificates’ on the key's row.
Make a note of the path of the certificates folder.
Open the certificates folder and navigate into ‘48328’
Remove all files that are named with the key ID.
Restart license manager
Tip
Rebooting your machine is the recommended and simplest way to restart the license manager.
If you you have admin rights, you can also restart the licence manager by:
In the Windows start menu type services and run as administrator.
Find ‘Sentinel LDK License Manager’ and click ‘Stop the service’.
Start the ‘Sentinel LDK License Manager’ service by clicking ‘Start the service’.
Fix HASP USB Key Not Recognized or Blinking
The HASP licensing key can become corrupted causing the Operating System to be unable to recognize the USB key. An indication of this error condition is the continuous blinking of the LED indicator at the end of the USB key. All products will no longer be able to access a valid license authorization and the Admin control centre will indicate that a key cannot be found.
This problem is caused when the dongle that is updating its firmware is interrupted.
Solution
This involves uninstalling the affected device from Windows and then letting it automatically reinstall it.
- Ensure the inoperable key is inserted into the USB port.
- Go to Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device manager
- Scroll down and expand the Universal Serial Bus tree.
- Find the dongle. It will often have a yellow question mark showing that it is not installed properly. There will be 3 entries for the dongle
- Right click on each entry and select Uninstall
- Once all have been uninstalled the light on the dongle should stop flashing
- Remove the dongle and then reconnect it Windows will now reinstall the dongle drivers automatically. The process will be complete when the light on the dongle is constant
Ports and antivirus software
Check your personal firewall/Antivirus software. By default, most personal firewall/Antivirus software will request permission to allow access for sentinel Licence Manager the first time it is run. If access is allowed there will be no problems. If access is denied you will encounter communication problems. To resolve such problems either disable the Firewall/AV completely or create a rule/exception in the firewall/AV software to allow the sentinel License Manager (if there is an option to create a rule/exception based on a port number, allow port 1947). Add c:\Windows\system32\hasplms.exe in the Exception list of the anti-virus and firewall application.
Check that there isn't any other application that uses sentinel registered port (Port 1947). If you find such a program, disable it and run the sentinel application again.
- In the command line run “netstat -ano”
- Look for the PID for 0.0.0.0:1947
- In the Windows task manager, look for a service with the same PID
- If this is not “hasplms”, stop the service