Offline License Activation in Device Administrator

[RobertAndriolo]

Issue

Customers using Device Administrator for offline license activation in EBO 7.0.3 face challenges due to changes in how entitlements are delivered via Software Companion.

Product Line

EcoStruxure Building Operation

Environment

• Building Operation Device Administrator (v7)
• Software Companion Portal
• FlexNet Licensing Portal
• Offline systems (no internet access)

Cause

The current Software Companion tool does not generate an HTML entitlement certificate compatible with Device Administrator. Instead, it provides a PDF summary, which the Device Administrator cannot read or import.

Resolution

The simplest way is to enable Internet access for Device Administrator and add the entitlement ID.

To activate licenses offline in Device Administrator:

1. Do not use the PDF summary generated by Software Companion — it is not compatible with Device Administrator.
2. There are several options available, each differing in complexity and time requirements.
   1. Webhelp(Adding an Entitlement without the HTML file when a Field Server is not Connected to License Server (...), users can follow the follwing steps:
      • In Device Administrator, click Entitlements.
      • Click the Add Entitlement down arrow and click Manually Enter the entitlement ID.
      • Click Next.
      • Click Skip. If you know that you do not have any server connected to internet in the list, click Skip. If you do not click Skip, Device Administrator goes through all servers in your list until it finds one that is connected to internet.
      • In the Entitlement Products - Enter Manually list , enter the Activation ID, Description and seat count for the product.
      • Click Add Product , to add more products.
      • Click Add.
        Note: It is recommended to verify the Activation ID, Description, and seat count in FlexNet Operations End-User Portal before proceeding with the steps. When there is no connection between the EcoStruxure BMS Server and License Activation Server, Device Administrator cannot synchronize the number of licenses in the entitlement that are available for activation. Instead, Device Administrator assumes that all licenses that was purchased can be activated. 
   2. Access the FlexNet Licensing Portal: FlexNet Operations End-User Portal
      • Log in using the Entitlement ID.
      • List all Entitlements.
      • Select one Activation ID
      • Use the View Certificate option.
      • Download and save the certificate locally in HTML format.
        • When using Save As - ensure you select the "Webpage, complete (*htm;*html) option 
          
      • Repeat for each Activation ID listed in the Entitlement
      • Import each HTML certificate into Device Administrator to load the entitlement offline.
   3. Create a server list away from the site, using Device Administrator, that has Internet access.

      Caution: this will wipe the current server list, remove all certificates (if used), and remove all servers added to Device Administrator.

      • If the server list has already been created on site, save and export this list.

      • Off-site or on a PC with Internet access, import (from step 1) or create a new server list in Device Administrator.

      • Add the necessary entitlement IDs.

      • Save and export the server list.

      • Back on the on-site PC, import the exported server list to Device Administrator.

      • If using a new server list (that is, no servers added from Step 1), add the required certificates and servers.

      • Save this new list. It is advisable to export it as a backup in case of any issues.

      • Proceed with the offline activation. EcoStruxure BMS Server Licensing on Servers not Connected to Internet Workflow.

      • Once activated, remember to save and export the list for safekeeping.

Comment:
Investigation into why Software Companion does not generate HTML certificates is ongoing.  Device Administrator still requires either the HTML certificate or manual entry of activation IDs.