Merging license files, license file named "downgraded"??

[Peejay62]

I received the licenses I recently ordered. For clarity I chose first to merge my existing license files with te new one. The name that came out for the new licensefile was "veeam_backup_full_downgrade_xxx" (xxx=my # of licenses).
XXX = ok, it reflects the correct number. What is worrying me is the "downgrade".
What happens here, is it a flaw in the name creation or do I really downgrade my license when I apply the licensefile? Obvious, I am reluctant in applying the license right now..

thanks for any advice,

Peter

[chrisdearden]

Were all of the sockets the same version? or did you have some enterprise plus that were downgraded to enterprise ( as a key cannot contain multiple versions )

[Peejay62]

Looking into the licensefiles indeed I see difference in version, old one =7.x , new one is 8.x. I still run 7, so probably have a new license file generated with version=7.x?

[Shestakov]

Peejay,
What kind of editions of the licenses do you have (Standard/Enterprise/Enterprise Plus) ? The editions are same for both v7 and v8.
Note, that 2 different editions can not be used in the same environment.
Thanks.

[Peejay62]

I compared the two licensefiles (i have put xxxxxxx in private info..)

first file :
Edition=Enterprise Plus
License information=Licensed product:\tVeeam Backup & Replication\nLicense type:\tFull License\nLicensed to:\t[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]\nContact person:\t[xxxxxxxxx]\nCPU sockets (vSphere):\t[xxx]\nCPU sockets (Hyper-V):\t0\nEdition: \tEnterprise Plus
License type=Full License

new file :
Edition=Enterprise Plus
License information=License type:\tFull License\nLicensed to:\t[xxxxxxxxxx]\nContact person:\t[xxxxxxxxxxx]\nCPU sockets (vSphere):\t[xx]\nEdition: \tEnterprise Plus
License type=Full License

So, editions are equal in both files.

[Shestakov]

Peter,
In this case no downgrade should happen.
I understand your embarrassment with the licensefile name, but the best way to clarify the issue is to contact your sales manager.
Thank you!

[Peejay62]

Ok, will do that.
out of curiousity and to get my question answered: applying the license would have downgraded my system?
Pff, lucky me the taking the filename seriously..

Thanks, Peter

[Shestakov]

Peter,

I`ve contacted people in the company who are in charge of license generation.
The name of license file contains:
Veeam_ Product name_WMware socket_Hyper-V socket_downgrade*
*if the license is generated not for the most recent version of the product

So, in your case, no edition downgrade is going to happen.

[Peejay62]

Ok, I will give it a try then. Suggestion for the license people: Leave downgrade out, put something like V7 or V8 in it instead, this will reduce confusion..

Thanks for your help, Peter

[Shestakov]

Agree. That`s exactly what I told them
We will figure it out. Thank you for raising the issue, Peter and sorry for the inconvenience.

[Peejay62]

I applied the licensefile, everything is good.

thanks, Peter

[Shestakov]

Good to know, Peter, thanks for updating!
By the way, names of license files are going to be changed to avoid confusion.

[Peejay62]

I now have an extra challenge. So I have this testserver on which I was running V8 (with a trial license). I want to continue this one running V8 (license expired...) so tried to give the server my "downgraded" license.. Doesn't accept it though.. I didn't add the server to EM but tried to apply the licensefile on the VBR locally.
Can't I be running v7 and V8 in parallel ? (based on my current licensefile which is as mentioned a "downgraded" one..).

Thanks, Peter

[Vitaliy S.]

Can't I be running v7 and V8 in parallel ?

Major versions require different license files, so you need two licence keys to run them in parallel.

[Peejay62]

So, to be sure: I have a merged licensefile. (consists of 3 seperate acquired licenses). The merged licensefile is created as a v7 license. I pick one of those three seperate licensefiles and choose the V8 type licensefile and apply that locally to my VBR server? Let's say that license is for 25 sockets. That specific server can than only process 25 sockets without warnings of license violations? I wonder what happens when I add that server afterwards to my EM portal?

thanks, Peter

[Vitaliy S.]

The merged licensefile is created as a v7 license.

Yes, and it can only be used for Veeam B&R v7 server.

I pick one of those three seperate licensefiles and choose the V8 type licensefile and apply that locally to my VBR server? Let's say that license is for 25 sockets. That specific server can than only process 25 sockets without warnings of license violations? I wonder what happens when I add that server afterwards to my EM portal?

If you add another server which will require more free sockets (since all 25 sockets will be already assigned to ESXi hosts), then you will not be able to backup any VMs via that new backup server (since no sockets are available for this Veeam server).

[Peejay62]

to clarify, what I want to achieve is to have that server I was testing V8 on (running with a trial license, now expired) added to my environment that is running V7 with xxx licenses. In fact, just add an extra VBR server, but it is running V8 instead of V7. So no extra sockets. I will than concurrently be running V7 and V8 servers.
Now the current licensefile applied is a V7 license. So will this V8 server be licensed correctly?

Thanks, Peter

[Shestakov]

Peter, could you provide your use case?
Why do you need different versions of VBR in your environment? Have you considered upgrading to v8? It`s free of charge (assuming you are on an active maintenance).
Answering your question:

In fact, just add an extra VBR server, but it is running V8 instead of V7. ... I will than concurrently be running V7 and V8 servers. Now the current licensefile applied is a V7 license. So will this V8 server be licensed correctly?

You can run them concurrently; but, you need 2 different license files, one for v7 another for v8.
Thanks.

[Peejay62]

The upgrade to V8 for my production environment is planned for mid-january (internal procedures and regulation, sigh...). But activating a new VBR server can be done now..To be honest, I cannot wait to use V8. Sliding this server in gives me the oppurtunity to start using some desired features..

Thanks, Peter

[Vitaliy S.]

And to extend your trial license key of v8, you can refer to sales or generate the license key for v8 via licensing portal. Given that you will protect the same hosts with v7 and v8, you will not have any issues with our licensing model.

[Peejay62]

Ok and thanks,

Peter