Issue
Identify between the various dongles used by Vista 2k, Vista 4 and Vista 5 License systems.
Product Line
TAC Vista
Environment
- Vista 3.3x (Vista 2000)
- Vista 4.x.x
- Vista 5.x.x
Cause
Licensing and dongle technology used by Schneider Electric Vista has changed as new revisions were released. The manufacturer of Vista dongles is Aladdin which causes the designs and colors to lead to confusion over which dongle works with which version of Vista.
Resolution
Visual inspection and some software tools can be used to differentiate between the various Vista dongles. The Dongle Reset Utility for Vista 4 can be used to determine whether the dongle is for End User or In House use. The getTACHLInfo.exe program which is installed with Vista 5 and the License Server can be used to determine whether a Vista 5 dongle is End User or In House.
Vista 4 End User Dongle
A Vista 4 End User dongle is only functional when an associated license file (PLF) is installed on a computer that was generated for the PSU ID of the dongle.
This dongle can either be USB or LPT in size. If the dongle is LPT it is typically white in color.
If the dongle is USB the color is typically blue.
When viewing the dongle through the Dongle Reset Utility it will report the type of dongle as Enduser PSU and show the PSU ID.
Vista 4 In House Dongle
A Vista 4 In House dongle, commonly referred to as an Engineering Dongle, activates the Engineering license files which grants a branch or partner access to the majority of Vista licenses. This type of dongle is not intended for use on customer sites outside of commissioning and maintenance work. Custom licenses can be generated for In House dongles, but it is not common.
This dongle can either be USB or LPT in size. If the dongle is LPT it is typically white in color.
If the dongle is USB the color is typically blue.
When viewing the dongle through the Dongle Reset Utility it will report the type of dongle as TAC Vista IV Inhouse PSU and show the PSU ID.
Vista 5 End User Dongle part number 000857510
A Vista 5 End User dongle is only functional when an associated license file (LIC) is installed on a License Server that was generated for the Host ID of the dongle.
Vista 5 End User dongles only come as USB dongles and are typically purple in color.
When using the getTACHLInfo.exe command the dongle will indicate that it is Enduser and provide the dongle ID. Instructions can be found in Find a Vista 5 dongle ID.
Vista 5 In House Dongle - Part Number - 000885000
A Vista 5 In House dongle, commonly referred to as Engineering or Maintenance dongle, grants a branch or partner access to the majority of Vista licenses. This type of dongle is not intended for use on customer sites outside of commissioning and maintenance work. Custom licenses can be generated for In House dongles, but it is not common.
Vista 5 In House dongles only come as USB dongles and are typically black in color.
When using the getTACHLInfo.exe command the dongle will indicate that it is Engineer and provide the dongle ID.
Side by Side Comparison
Dongles side by side for size comparison:
