License Management

What is License?

The License Management page displays the licensing information such as the licensing mechanism, platform version, and license status.

On the main menu of ZStack ZStone, choose Admin Center > License Management. Then, the License Management page is displayed.

Figure 1. License management


License Mechanism

We currently provide two types of authorized protocols: Base and Module.
  • Base License:
    • Use the base license together with module licenses to provide full functionality of the distributed storage platform, meeting the mainstream business requirements.
    • Covered functionalities: Enterprise Trial and Enterprise Prepaid.
  • Module License:
    • Use module licenses together with the base license to provide storage features for specific scenarios, addressing specific business needs.
    • Currently two module licenses are included: Block Storage and Object Storage.
    • The base license includes module licenses by default. You do not need to request module licenses additionally.
Detailed description of the licensing mechanism is as follows.
Licensing Mechanism Functionality Covered Description
Base License Enterprise Trial
Provides a full set of distributed storage features.
  • 30-day free trial.
  • Provides 50 storage servers by default.
  • Supports capacity-based and server-quantity-based authorization. You can only select one method.
  • Provides the basic and essential features of ZStone within the licensed period.
  • No after-sales technical support.
  • Applicable to test environments.
Enterprise Prepaid
Provides a full set of distributed storage features.
  • Features are available after you purchase the module licenses.
  • Supports capacity-based and server-quantity-based authorization. You can only select one method.
  • Provides the basic and essential features of ZStone within the licensed period.
  • Provides official after-sales technical support within the specified period.
  • Applicable to production environments.
Module License Block Storage Provides high-performance block storage service for critical businesses and applications when coupled with the base license.
Object Storage Provides object storage service to deliver secure, efficient storage and management features for massive amounts of unstructured data when coupled with the base license.
  • Features are available after you purchase the block storage and object storage license.
High-Performance Block Storage Provides high-performance and low-latency block storage services for your business when coupled with the base license.
File Storage Delivers storage and management services for file data when coupled with the base license.
High-Spped Network Provides high-performance network access capabilities within the storage cluster when coupled with the base license.
Note:
  • For more details, contact us by sending emails to sales@zstack.io.
  • To obtain a trial, or to purchase or upgrade your ZStack ZStone license, send your request key and your requirements to sales@zstack.io. To download the request key, click the Download button next to Request Key. We will contact you as soon as possible.
  • The ZStack ZStone management services depend on management node services. To use the licensing service, you must ensure the management node services are in proper use.

Licensing Method

ZStack ZStone supports two licensing methods: USB key and Request Key.
  • Licensing by USB Key:
    • You can obtain authorization by plugging the USB key into the management node.
    • If you are using a dual-MN environment, plug in only one USB key.
  • Licensing by Request Key:
    • You can obtain authorization by uploading the license file to the distributed storage platform.
    • You can upload both the base license and module licenses at the same time by using a tar.gz package.
    • If you are using a dual-MN environment, ensure that the two management nodes are both running before you upload the license file.

Install a License

The admin can install a license by using a USB key or a request key. These two methods are described in details below.

By Using a Request Key

On the License Management page, click Upload License in the upper-right corner. On the displayed Upload License pop-up, upload the obtained license.

Figure 1. Upload a License


By Using a USB Key

To install a license by using a USB key, the admin can follow these steps:
  1. Plug the USB key into the management node.
  2. On the main menu of ZStack ZStone, choose Admin Center > License Management. Then, the License Management page is displayed.
  3. On the License Management page, click Load License button next to Upload License in the upper-right corner.
  4. Once the load succeeds, you can view the complete authorization details.

Manage a License

On the main menu of ZStack ZStone, choose Admin Center > License Management. Then, the License Management page is displayed.

The following actions help you manage licenses.
Action Description
Upload License Supports adding licenses through the graphical interface.
Note:
  • You can upload both the base license and module licenses at the same time by using a tar.gz package.
  • If you are using a dual-MN environment, ensure that the two management nodes are both running before you upload the license file.
  • You can click the Load License button in the upper-right corner of the License Management page to reload the license.
  • Note that the base license and module licenses cannot be deleted.
Download Request Key Download the request key required to generate a license. You can update the license by using a request key.

License Status

A license has the following statuses.
Status Description
Valid Displays 'Valid' in the field of License Status when you add a valid license.
Abnormal Displays 'Abnormal' in the field of License Status when dual management node licenses are inconsistent or license management services fail to work correctly. In order not to affect your use, we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible for resolution. 
Expired Displays 'Expired' in the field of License Status when a license expires. In this case, all the features provided will be unavailable and you cannot log in to the platform.
Expires after XX Days When the remaining license period is less than 15 days, a banner prompt will appear after you log in to the platform. In order not to affect your use of the platform, we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible for authorization update. 

Licensing Record

On the main menu of ZStack ZStone, choose Admin Center > License Management > Licensing Record. Then, the Licensing Record page is displayed.

You can view the licensing records of the platform on the UI. Details like upload time, authorized module, authorized method, authorized quota, state, issue date, and expiration date are included.

Figure 1. Licensing record