This is version 2.18 of the AWS Elemental Server documentation. This is the latest version. For prior versions, see the *Previous Versions* section of [AWS Elemental Conductor File and AWS Elemental Server Documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/elemental-server/).

# Step E: Set-up Licensing
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Install a valid license file for each AWS Elemental system using the following steps described in the following table. Detailed instructions for each step follow.


****  

| Step | Where to Perform Step | Start Step With | Finish Step With | 
| --- | --- | --- | --- | 
| Step a: Retrieve Activation Code | Your workstation | Activation email | Activation code | 
| Step b: Generate License Activation Key File | The keygen utility available on the VM | Activation code | Key file (.key ) | 
| Step c: Download Licenses from the AWS Elemental User Community | Your workstation | Key file (.key ) | Tarball file (.tgz) | 
| Step d: Install the License Files | Your workstation | Unlicensed software with limited functionality | Fully licensed, full-feature software | 

# Step a: Retrieve Activation Code
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You should have received an email containing an activation code. If you're installing software for more than one VM guest, you will have received a separate code for each one.

If you didn't receive this email or have lost it, contact AWS Elemental Support through your company’s Private Space in [AWS Elemental Support Center](https://console.aws.amazon.com/elemental-appliances-software/home?region=us-east-1#/supportcenter).

# Step b: Generate a License Activation Key File
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The operating system that you installed on your virtual machine (VM) has a utility you can use to generate an activation key file. 

**To generate an activation key file**

1. From the VMware vSphere client, choose **Open Console** and access the desired VM, using the *elemental* user credentials. 

   You are logged in at the home directory (/elemental).

1. Enter this command.

   ```
   [elemental@hostname ~] ./keygen
   ```

1. At the prompt, enter the activation code for the first VM, including the dashes. The following file is created in the home directory: `activation_<hostname of the system>.key `

1. Copy the activation key file from the VM to your workstation using SCP.

   Use the *elemental* user credentials.

1. Repeat these steps for each VM. 
   + Make sure to repeat step 1 for each activation key file that you want to generate: each key file must contain the hostname of the individual VM.
   + Make sure to use a different activation code on each VM.

# Step c: Download Licenses from the AWS Elemental User Community
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1. Follow the instructions in [Downloading AWS Elemental Server Software](detailed-dl-srvr-ig.md) to get to the **Order Detail** page on the [AWS Elemental Support Center Activations](https://console.aws.amazon.com/elemental-appliances-software/home?region=us-east-1#/activations).

1. Hover over the three-bar icon on the right of the screen to bring up a small menu. Choose **License(s)**.  
![\[Three-bar icon with dropdown menu showing "License(s)" and "Download" options.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/elemental-server/latest/installguide/images/install-licorderdetail-shared-png.png)

1. On the **License Information** page, choose **Generate**.  
![\[Generate button highlighted on a License Information page interface.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/elemental-server/latest/installguide/images/install-licinfo-shared-png.png)

1. On the **Generate Licenses** page, select **Choose File** to browse to and select your `.key` file.

1. This returns you to the **Generate Licenses** page, with your `.key` file selected. Choose **Upload License Key**.  
![\[File upload interface with "Choose File" button and "UPLOAD LICENSE KEY" option highlighted.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/elemental-server/latest/installguide/images/install-genlic-shared-png.png)

1. This takes you to the **View Licenses** page, where you can download a `.tgz` file. This is a compressed, aggregated file that contains all the license files that you need for this system.  
![\[View Licenses page showing license details and download options.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/elemental-server/latest/installguide/images/install-viewlic-shared-png.png)

1. Save the `.tgz` file to a place accessible to the AWS Elemental system that will be using this license, for example, a directory on your workstation called “licenses”. Make a note of the path. 

   The files are named `lic-download-<hostname>.tgz`.

1. Repeat these steps for each virtual machine that will have AWS Elemental software.