OnGuard software licensing

Product Name OnGuard software licensing

General Information


OnGuard version 6.1.222 now utilizes a software license, which works without the need for a hardware dongle. When using a software license you are able to use License Administration to activate, return, or repair your license. Software licenses can only be used on a physical computer.

The OnGuard software license option is available for new installations of OnGuard 6.1.222 or greater. The option of using a hardware dongle is still available.

Both licensing options require the installation of a license file in License Administration, which is generated by the Lenel Systems Integration Group. Note that the software license does not eliminate the need for the license file. For more information on installing the license file, refer to the Installation Guide, Chapter 6, "Installing OnGuard on a Server", section "Install a New License".

Once the license file is installed, the software license must be activated. For more information on activating a license, refer to the Installation Guide, Chapter 6, "Installing OnGuard on a Server", section "Activate a Software License".

If you need to install OnGuard on a new server, you must return the software license on the original server, prior to activating the license on the new server. For more information on returning a license, refer to the Installation Guide, Chapter 6, "Installing OnGuard on a Server", section "Return a Software License".

If your software license has become corrupt, or if you have made certain hardware changes, you may have to repair the software license. For more information on repairing a license, refer to the Installation Guide, Chapter 6, "Installing OnGuard on a Server", section "Repair a Software License".

VMware platforms can use either a software license or hardware dongle. To use a software license, the License Server should be run on VMware ESX. It is important to note that this is the only configuration that Lenel supports VMware ESX for.

Software licenses are not supported for Microsoft cluster systems.


Applies To

OnGuard 2008 Plus (6.1.222) or later

Additional Information


It is important to remember that the software license does not replace the license file that is generated by Lenel Systems Integration. In effect, the software license and associated activation process replaces the hardware dongle.

When attempting to activate a software license, you may be prompted to provide proxy information to connect to the activation server. In addition to this information, you must ensure that TCP port 443 (OnGuard 8.3 and later) or port 8888 (OnGuard 8.2 and earlier) is open and available for communication between the OnGuard server and the activation server. If this port is blocked or scanned regularly, then activation, return, or repair of the software license must be done over the phone.

In the event that hardware changes are made to the machine running the License service, the following steps must be performed:

  1. The software license must be returned, either by phone or by Internet.
  2. A new license file must be loaded on the OnGuard server.
  3. The software license must be reactivated, either by phone or by Internet.