Configuring the Network License Service

The network license service authorizes and controls access to shared licenses on a network. Before you can use the network license service to license your software you will need to configure it to exclusively authorize licenses created by your company.

Network License Service Generation

Agile.net Copy Protection uses license keys created using public-key cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography. Public-key cryptography requires two separate keys, one of which is secret (or private) and one of which is public. Although different, the two parts of this key pair are mathematically linked. The public key is used to verify a digital signature, whereas the private key is used to create a digital signature. The private key, is kept secret so that no other user can sign the data.

By creating a digital signature with the private key and associating it with the network license service we can ensure that a network license can only read and validate licenses created by a unique software publisher. If the signature has been modified since it was created by the authorized user validation will fail. By generating a network license using a distinct pair of keys we can be sure that licenses created with one key pair cannot be used to unlock software protected with a different set of keys.

To generate a network license service using a unique set of keys:

  • Select the licensing tab.
  • Select the Create Network Service button from the main ribbon bar.
  • To use an existing key pair select it from the list, otherwise create a new one by pressing the new key pair button.
  • Select the Generate button
  • Specify a location on your hard drive where you would like to keep the generated network license service.

Configuring the Network License Service

By default the network license service listens on port 8127, to modify this setting:

  • Open AgileDotNet.NetworkLicenseService.exe.config using a text editor.
  • Modify port setting.
  • Open a command prompt and run AgileDotNet.NetworkLicenseService.exe

Installing the Network License Service

In production environments the Network License Service is installed as a windows service. To install it as a windows service:

  • Open a command prompt.
  • Run AgileDotNet.NetworkLicenseService.exe /install

To uninstall the Network License Service:

  • Open a command prompt.
  • Run AgileDotNet.NetworkLicenseService.exe /uninstall

Network License Service Logging

The network licensing service supports a logging system that allows administrators to actively watch network licensing activity. The network license service logs all activity locally to the Network License Service application folder. In case there is no write permission in that folder, logs are written to %LocalAppData%\SecureTeam\NetworkLicenseService.