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 D: Set-up Licensing


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


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


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


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.

# Step d: Install the License Files


Now that you have a `.tgz` compressed license file for each instance of the software you are running, you must point the software to it.

From your workstation, perform the following steps for each newly installed AWS Elemental system.

1. Navigate to the directory where you saved the `.tgz` file and unpack it.

1. Bring up the web interface for the AWS Elemental Server system. From the main menu, select **Settings** > **Licenses**. The Licenses screen appears.

1. Select **Choose File** and navigate to the directory where you placed the license files. Select the file name with the hostname portion matching the hostname of this node.  
![\[Settings page showing Standalone License section with no license uploaded and instructions for assistance.\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/elemental-server/latest/installguide/images/install-installlic-shared-png.png)

1. Back on the Licenses screen, choose **Update**. The license file is installed. 

1. Repeat steps 1 through 4 on each VM guest.