Hardware Keys

Advanced Tubular uses a device called a hardware key" or "dongle" to control licensing.

SecureDongle X Hardware Keys

As of June of 2014, we started using the SecureDongleX dongle.

Since that time, most of our software licenses are controlled by these dongles.

Each SecureDongle X device can be set to control a permanent or time-limited license.

The benefit of SecureDongle X over the HASP keys for customers is that the SecureDongle X keys require no special Windows driver. They are plug-and-play devices.

Safenet HASP Hardware Keys

For software that was released before mid 2014, we use hardware keys that was manufactured by Safenet (which purchased the original company Aladdin Knowledge Systems). The Safenet model we use is called the "HASP".
This is a permanent Key. I thas no expiration.
This is a time-limited key. It contains a clock and can expire.

When do we send time-limited keys?

For systems that are shipped, but Advanced Tubular is still waiting for final payment.
For demo packages.
For lease packages where the customer prefers to rent the package for a limited time.
For OEM customers that use our software for testing purposes.
For distributors of our software.

Is extending the time limit possible?

Yes. There are many circumstances where extending the time limit in a hardware key is normal. The keys can be updated through e-mails and internet downloads. (See Extending Time-Limited Keys for adding time to time-limited keys)

Installing the HASP Hardware Key Windows Device Driver

Each Windows system with a hardware key must have a hardware key driver installed using one of our driver installation programs. If this driver is not installed, our software will not find the key even if it is plugged into the computer.

Using the SafeNet Driver

This program needs to be installed one time per system.
If you are installing this to a Windows Server 2003, then it is essential NOT to install this through Terminal Services. Install it directly to the Windows Server interface. (The key will not be found if the driver is installed through Terminal Services.)
This program should be installed before you plug in any USB key. This prevents Windows from automatically installing a hardware key drive that does not work.
You can download the latest HASPUserSetup.exe program from Utility Software Page.
If the installation of HASPUserSetup.exe fails on your system, you can use another version of the driver installation called the Hardware Key Driver Installation - Command Line Version - because it runs in the Windows command line.

Using the Legacy HASP Driver

This program needs to be installed one time per system.
If you are installing this to a Windows Server 2003, then it is essential NOT to install this through Terminal Services. Install it directly to the Windows Server interface. (The key will not be found if the driver is installed through Terminal Services.)
This program should be installed before you plug in any USB key. This prevents Windows from automatically installing a hardware key drive that does not work.
This program is no longer downloadable from the utility page. Please contact us if you need a copy of this setup.

Using Windows Server Terminal Services

If you are installing the hardware key to a Windows Server station, it is imperative to remember that an installation through Terminal Services will show a successful installation of the driver - but the hardware key will NOT be found when you run our software.
Install the driver through the main window on the Server.
Newer versions of the Server refer to the Terminal Services as Remote Desktop Services. We have not tested installation through RDS. We recommend that you avoid installation through the remote service.

Key: Licensing and Securing

We program a license code into each hardware key that grants our customers the right to use the purchased software license. (See Software License Program ID List for a list of Program IDs used to control the licenses of our products) Empty or non-programmed keys are relatively inexpensive. However, keys with a software license code programmed into them take on the value of the price of the software license. Extra care should be taken to protect these keys: A lost or stolen hardware key is the equivalent of a lost or stolen license programmed into the key. We suggest that you insure the KEY for the value of the license. If the key is stolen, whoever has it can run our license software unimpeded. Its replacement cost is the price of a new license.

Document for Managers

You can download and share our Hardware Key Value document with managers responsible for securing the license at your facility. The document shares the value of the hardware key and how to proceed if it is lost or stolen. It includes information on insuring the key for the value of the software license.