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Base License: Network Edition; authorized: No
I did a simple thing and for the last 10 days have not been able to complete backups. I have EMC support and they have been working on this and as of yet have no answer.
What did I do? I added a 10GbE Intel NIC card to the PCIe bus of a Dell 1950 that is my Networker server on Linux. When I rebooted the 'License Conformance Summary' window in the NW management application said at the top right hand corner "Base License: Network Edition; authorized: No". I've been unable to do anything that changes this, even take the NIC card out. All other Client and Autochanger licenses remain authorized. Hostname is the same. Hostid is the same. IP address is the same.
In addition the files that appear in /nsr/logs labeled "license-conformance_hostname_date.txt" show the "original install date: unknown" and this wasn't the case before. The "base license: Network Edition; authorized: No" message also appears in this file.
So either by rebooting the server or by adding the NIC I did something that the server didn't like and I can't go back. I tried to enter a new enabler code for the base license and this was not accepted. I guess I'm at the point of doing a clean install and saving only the indices. Any help appreciated.
avhays
65 Posts
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October 21st, 2014 11:00
After spending time with EMC support on the phone (they were great) I discovered I missed something else after adding the new NIC card. Along with the base license becoming deauthorized a new storage node was created named "localhost", and this had ownership of my autochangers and drives. So I had my previous storage node and the new "localhost" node. Not sure why but perhaps because during the transition from the old NIC to new there was a time when every NIC was disabled and the machine had no IP address. EMC support went through the steps to remove this storage node and then backups started working.
Also discovered in this process is that 'hostid' from Linux's viewpoint and from Networker's may not be the same, at least for the base license. What I'm guessing happens is this. EMC licensing generates an enabler code and authcode from the 'hostid'. But when this is applied the first time for the base license the NW code combines it with other info that is directly tied to the hardware. So even though in the 'Registrations' window of the GUI you only see the Linux hostid for all licenses for the base license there is additional data you don't see. This way if the server is transferred to new hardware where the Linux hostid doesn't change (because the IP address is kept) NW still knows and deauthorizes the base license. I'm guessing I triggered this mechanism by adding a NIC.
bingo.1
2.4K Posts
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October 20th, 2014 21:00
From the history, I have heard of such (or similar) cases.
There might also be a software bug which strikes so rarely or it cannot be verified to get it repaired.
So the best 'solution' is to clear the license resources to 'reset' them.
avhays
65 Posts
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October 20th, 2014 21:00
How does one clear a base license? There seem to be a few knowledge base articles addressing this but it doesn't seem to be straightforward.
avhays
65 Posts
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October 20th, 2014 21:00
When I added the new NIC I disabled the motherboard NIC and kept the same IP address (my intention when adding the new NIC was to switch from 1GbE to 10GbE). The hostid (as reported by the Linux command "hostid") did not change after adding the new NIC.
The evidence of the hostid remaining the same is the fact that all client and autochanger licenses remained authorized. Only the base license became unauthorized.
bingo.1
2.4K Posts
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October 20th, 2014 21:00
On a NW server for Linux the hostid is calculated on the IP address.
By adding the second NIC, the assignment of the IP has obviously switched and the wrong hostid is used now.
There is no need to do a new install.
EMC support should be able to delete all license codes - even the base enabler.
Then install the new NIC and add the license codes.
Finally request new auth codes and enter them.
bingo.1
2.4K Posts
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October 20th, 2014 22:00
That's why I asked you to contact support again - it could also be version-specific.
crazyrov
4 Operator
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1.3K Posts
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October 21st, 2014 03:00
if you have a valid support contract with EMC all you need to do is drop an email to licensing@emc.com with the enabler code and the hostid and thy will provide you the auth code.
mradamk
215 Posts
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October 21st, 2014 05:00
As per the Networker Licensing Guide:
You cannot delete the enabler code that enables the basic NetWorker software, called the “base enabler”. You can use the nsrcap command line utility to upgrade or downgrade the base enabler. However, once a base enabler has been upgraded or downgraded, you cannot return to the original lower function base enabler. You must obtain a new base enabler from EMC Licensing.
For example, if you upgrade from Work Edition to Power Edition but then regress back to Work Edition, the old Work Edition base enabler is invalid. You must obtain a new Work Edition base enabler from EMC Licensing.
To delete an enabler code:
1. In the Administration window, click Configuration.
2. Click Registrations.
3. Right-click the license to delete, then select Delete.
4. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.
If the above does not suffice for your situation there is a way to delete enablers including the base enabler using nsradmin command.
However I would suggest you contact support for this method and have them do it for you.
regards,
Ada
avhays
65 Posts
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October 21st, 2014 05:00
Base licenses cannot be applied twice- I got a new enabler code and it was not accepted.
avhays
65 Posts
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October 21st, 2014 05:00
I installed the NIC on 7 Oct and rebooted. After that reboot the base license became unauthorized. Hostid didn't change. It doesn't appear that the de-authorization of the base license was related to any code that checks hostid. EMC support did mention that there might be some code in the server that checks to see if other servers are running or the server is on two networks.
I cannot do a host transfer when the hostid doesn't change but I could give the server a new IP and force the hostid to change?
crazyrov
4 Operator
4 Operator
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1.3K Posts
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October 21st, 2014 05:00
So you are sure your hostid has not changed ? if no you should be having a copy of the auth code with you. try putting the same auth code again.
bingo.1
2.4K Posts
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October 21st, 2014 05:00
crazyrov's message made my re-thinking my suggestion - and he is right.
Assuming no software bug, the only think that could be affected is the hostid.
In such case you must apply for new auth codes (a so-called 'host transfer').
However, the system has a period of 2 weeks AFAIR where everthing should continue as normal.
Could it just be that you forgot about the appropriate alert?
avhays
65 Posts
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October 21st, 2014 06:00
Yes! Reentering the authorization code worked. However I had removed the NIC. So the next step will be to put it in again and see if reentering the auth code works with the 10GbE NIC installed. Thanks!
bingo.1
2.4K Posts
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October 21st, 2014 06:00
Honestly - I am not sure what will happen exactly.
I think there are even 2 issues which potentially matter:
- The IP address itself but also
- The internal priority of the NIC
So we can think about the theory - good to know about potential issues in the future.
However, I think deleting the base enabler is the best approach right now.
Here is one method which should work with NW 7.0+ - it will delete ALL license codes:
- shutdown NW
- run "nsradmin -d /nsr/nsrdb"
nsradmin> . type: NSR license
nsradmin> delete
nsradmin> q
- restart NW again. It should come up in EVAL mode.
- Apply all your enablers.
- If the hostid is still the same, you can re-apply the old auth codes.
If not, ask for new ones.
masonb
445 Posts
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October 21st, 2014 08:00
Avhays,
When you say “the hosted did not change” how do you know?
Are you going off the fact that other licenses are still authorised?
Or is it what is displayed in the Registration screen?
Regards,
Bill Mason