Initial Settings

A client tries the license authentication and activation as follows. Before starting to configure the initial settings, please check your system environments.

1. License authentication by using a license file

License file can be issued from URL of the site generated by ActiveImage Protector.

You are not recommended to use this method for license authentication.

2. License authentication via Actiphy Authentication Service (AAS)

When the license file is not registered, the client discovers AAS. For network-wide coverage, registering custom DNS entry is highly recommended.

Client PCs will recognize the following DNS entries: Note: AAS will generate a self-signed certificate upon installation for the purpose of web console access. These host names will be added to the certificate as subject alternative names.

• aas-autodiscovery. + local DNS suffix

When a valid DNS entry is found, Client PCs with Actiphy products will attempt to authenticate with the Actiphy Authentication Service installed on the server specified in the DNS entry.

When DNS-based AAS discovery fails, Client PC with Actiphy products will attempt to discover AAS deployed on the local network segment using network broadcasts.

Once an AAS is found, subsequent authentications will be performed using the previously discovered IP address of the AAS.

Please note that local network discovery using network broadcasts do not route to different network segments, and that AAS will not serve activation requests of foreign origin.

3. Activation request to Actiphy’s Online Activation Server

When AAS discovery fails or license authentication via AAS fails, the client directly tries online activation request to Actiphy’s Online Activation Server.

User-selectable Operation Mode

Actiphy Authentication Service operates in two modes. Please select the operation mode after the first startup.

You may also change the operation mode after the initial configuration.

Server Mode

In Server Mode, Actiphy Authentication Service works as a standalone activation server and provides functionalities similar to the Actiphy’s Online Activation Server (some restrictions apply).

Please select Server Mode when using Actiphy Authentication Service on a PC without a persistent internet connection.

When a client requests license activation from an Actiphy Authentication Service running in Server Mode, AAS returns activation results to the client based on the Offline License Bundle loaded during configuration. No Internet connection is required.

When the client fails to access AAS, the activation fails.

When selecting Server Mode, you must obtain Offline License Bundle file for the product keys you wish to activate.

• You can select Server Mode and finish the settings without obtaining a license bundle file.

Operating procedures on how to obtain license bundle file

1. When configuring Actiphy Authentication Service to run in Server Mode, you are presented with a URL that can be used to request an Offline License Bundle.

2. If you have direct internet access, you may click on [Open in browser] to open the License Bundle request website directly.

3. If you DO NOT have direct Internet access, you may click on [Copy] to copy the URL to the clipboard. You can then save the URL using text editor of your choice (e.g. Notepad) and perform License Bundle request from another computer with an internet connection.
   

   • Please note that the License Bundle request URL is specific to this AAS installation. License Bundle issued for a different AAS cannot be loaded on this AAS instance.

4. Once you arrive at the License Bundle request website, please enter your email address and the list of full product keys you wish to Activate. The Offline License Bundle will be sent to you via E-mail.

5. Upon receipt of the E-Mail, go to [Register Bundle File] in the AAS and register the license bundle file.

   If you need to add more product keys or update license status, recreating the license bundle file is required (old license issue URL may be re-used).

Proxy Mode

In Proxy Mode, Actiphy Authentication Service works as the proxy server for Actiphy’s Online Activation Server.

When a client PC requests a license authentication and activation, AAS communicates with Actiphy’s Online Activation Server and returns the authentication and activation results to the client PC. Registration of the product key is optional. By registering the product keys you own, you will be able to accurately identify the current state of each product key and the clients that use them.

Since the Actiphy Authentication Service needs to access Actiphy’s activation server, the PC on which AAS is installed requires an internet connection. If you use a proxy server for internet access with the AAS, please configure the proxy settings.

If the client PC cannot communicate with Actiphy Authentication Service or if Actiphy Authentication Service fails to establish connection with Actiphy’s Online Activation Server, the activation fails.