Returning or moving license keys

If you must upgrade your license keys, replace an old license server, or move the license keys to another computer, you must perform a floating or authorized user license key return transaction in License Key Center.

Permanent authorized user and floating license keys are tied to the host ID of the computer. IBM® Rational® products do not work on another computer until you register the products to the new computer.

Returning or removing permanent license keys

Use IBM License Key Center to return authorized user, floating, named-user floating, and redundant server license keys to your IBM Rational account.

Note: For IBM Rational products built on the Eclipse framework, permanent authorized user license keys from the activation kit are not managed by IBM License Key Center and cannot be returned.

When you return a license key, you do not physically give the license key back to IBM Rational. Instead, you use the return transaction in IBM License Key Center. The IBM License Key Center transaction updates records to indicate that you are no longer using a Rational product on that computer. This update adjusts the count of registered products in your account.

After making the adjustments to your account, you can download the license key from the IBM License Key Center.

Remember: To comply with your License Agreement, import this updated license file (whether the file is empty or not) on the computer.

If you have problems returning or requesting a new redundant server license file, IBM Software Support for Rational products can correct your account and create a license file for you.

To return a license key:

Perform the return transaction in IBM License Key Center.
When you receive the update file from IBM License Key Center, import the file on the old client or license server.
Remove the IBM Rational software or license server software from the old client or license server. See the installation guide for your Rational product for the removal procedures.

Moving permanent license keys

If you want to move IBM Rational software to another client or server, return the existing license keys from the old client or server to your account. Then request license keys for the new client or server.

Attention: During the uninstallation process, the permanent license key is also removed. Be sure to have your original product activation kit on hand to import the permanent license key and license agreement to the new computer. If your activation kit did not come on a CD and you no longer have the downloaded activation kit, go to the IBM IBM License Key Center to download another activation kit using your product order information.

To move license keys from one computer to another:

Use License Key Center to return the license keys to your IBM Rational account.
Tip: To help prevent you from confusing the license key update file for the old computer with the license key file for the new computer, you might want to complete the return transaction before you order license keys for the new computer.
Request new license keys for the new computer in IBM License Key Center.
Remove the Rational software or license server software from the old computer. See the installation guide for your IBM Rational product for the removal procedures.
Install the Rational software or license server software on the new computer.
Import the new license key file on the new computer.
If you moved the license keys to a new license server, give client users the host name of the new license server.