OS10 license backup format vs installation format

Can you restore a license from a backed-up .lic file?

Hello,

What is the switch model you are working with?

What OS version are you working with?

What has happened on the switch you are trying to resolve?

Can you give more detail to your issue?

Are you original owner?

Have you checked your Dell Digital Locker for your license?

https://www.dell.com/SUPPORT/SOFTWARE/

Initially I can provide this reference material:

Dell EMC SmartFabric OS10 User Guide Release 10.5.2

Download OS10 image

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/dell-emc-smartfabric-os10/smartfabric-os-user-guide-10-5-2-6/download-os10-image?guid=guid-7f1a21d3-1c26-43e5-98b1-c7252f3aa029&lang=en-us

Install OS10 license

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/dell-emc-smartfabric-os10/smartfabric-os-user-guide-10-5-2-6/install-os10-license?guid=guid-d581495b-7f59-4057-878d-f66a4007f06a&lang=en-us

Hello,

Try these steps. Confirm you have backed up your license using the following procedure:

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/dell-emc-smartfabric-os10/smartfabric-os-user-guide-10-5-2-6/backup-os10-license?guid=guid-953c3f4c-553d-462d-88ea-43ebd26ecf1f&lang=en-us

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You can copy that file to usb.

OS10# copy home://269FXC2.lic usb://269FXC2.lic  

To restore the License:

OS10# license install usb://269FXC2.lic

If the license file is corrupted or deleted:

• You must re-download it from Dell Digital Locker (DDL) under the purchaser’s account.

Access your DDL using your account credentials.

https://www.dell.com/SUPPORT/SOFTWARE/

• Alternatively, contact Dell Support directly to have the license resent. This process is not restricted by warranty status[1].

The license file is pre-installed on the switch. If the license becomes corrupted or is deleted, you must download the license from DDL under the purchaser's account and re-install the license.

https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-us/dell-emc-smartfabric-os10/smartfabric-os-user-guide-10-5-3/re-install-license?guid=guid-f9e23b89-be71-429c-9c66-d73a31ac9219

Thank you for your interest in the topic.

My switch is an S5148F-ON.
It is running software version 10.4.3.8.
I am not its first owner; I bought it used.

Software: OS10-Enterprise
Version: 10.4.3.8
License Type: PERPETUAL
License Duration: Unlimited
License Status: Active
License location: /mnt/license/xxxxxx.lic

Interestingly, the switch cannot be found by Service Tag or Express Code. It seems as if it doesn’t exist. I'm not sure if it’s possible to transfer ownership of the switch to my account in this case.

I don’t have any issues with it at the moment, but I’d like to be prepared in case the software gets lost in the future.
I plan to buy three more of these switches.
I don’t have experience with Dell networking equipment.

I managed to back up and download the license as a .lic file and transfer it to my computer via TFTP. I will not attempt a restore.

Hi, sounds like your switch might’ve come from a bulk OEM or enterprise deployment. In those cases, Dell’s system often doesn’t associate the hardware with individual ownership, especially if it was never registered or was removed from the original account.

Best bet is to reach out to Dell Support directly. Even if the Service Tag isn’t showing up online, give them:

• The Service Tag
• Proof of purchase (like an invoice or receipt)
• A request to transfer ownership or register the device under your name

They might be able to at least give you some clarity on its status.

@DELL-Erman O​ 

I have a brand new unopened Dell S4148F-ON that I purchased from a 3rd party vendor. The service tag does show up in the system.  However, when I reached out to technical support, they said warranty coverage expired in 2022, and that nothing can be done in terms of registering the product.  Is there anyone I could contact to register this device even though it is out of warranty and setup a Dell Digital Locker? 

The switch came with OS 10 10.5.0.4 installed, perpetual license.  I followed the online guide to backup the license to the home directory and to the USB (as a .lic file), but am unable to figure out how to backup the license to a tftp server.  All the information I have found indicates that the license is embedded in the startup configuration which is then backed up as an xml file to the tftp server.  Is there any way to backup just the license as an xml file (instead of a .lic file) to a tftp server and to apply for a dell digital locker account since this unit is technically brand new?

Lastly based on the post from Joey C above, it seems that either the .xml or .lic file can be used to re-install the license in the event of loss/corruption, but I would like a backup of the license file file in both .lic and .xml format locally if possible. Hence the reason for my question.

Thanks again

Prashant

Hi,

My suggestion is to gather as much information from the vendor about the ownership of the switch. If it's an unopened box, I assume the vendor is the owner. First, do the ownership transfer, following this article: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-my/000125103/ownership-transfer-and-dell-product-registration-guides. Once the ownership has been transferred to your name, your Dell Digital Locker should contain the license file. 

You mentioned you have already done back up of the license file to USB? But unable to do it on TFTP? Is there any error prompt?

@DELL-Joey C​ 

Thank you for your prompt reply Joey.  Invalid command is given for license backup command which I found online.  It seems this is not an actual command for the OS 10 operating system, since when I type license ? it is not listed as a valid command.  I have figured out how to move the license file as a .lic file via tftp and backup to USB, but not how to export as a .xml.  Again, documentation states that this is done by saving the entire  configuration and then exporting the entire configuration via tftp.  According to the user docs for OS10, the license is embedded in the configuration xml file. However, I was wondering if it is possible to directly export just the license file which has a .lic extension via tftp to a .xml file.  This way I have two formats to choose from.  I am a little paranoid because I do not have a Dell Digital Locker as of yet to rely on in the event this current license gets corrupted.  I did back up to a USB, but again I do not have any way of getting a license from Dell if things go south.  From my understanding, if you lose/delete/corrupt your license without a Dell Digital Locker account, you are up the creek so to speak and have no way of requesting one.

I am awaiting a response from Dell regarding the vendor and possibly renewing the warranty which also might hopefully give me access to a dell digital locker.

@DELL-Joey C​ 

I have figured out how to backup the startup configuration via tftp but confirmed that the .xml file does not contain any information on the license. After I copy thew licese file to the home directory, is there a way to backup the license file to .xml?  Can I merely type something like the following:

copy home://<license-filename>.lic tftp://XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX/<license-filename>.xml

Will this preserve the license just like it would if I were to download from Dell Digital Locker?

Currently working on transfer of ownership per your post.

Hello,

You can’t export the license as XML. The real license file is .lic, which you can back up via USB or TFTP. XML only comes from a full config backup. To restore, use the .lic file or download it from Dell Digital Locker; if that’s not possible, contact Dell support.

Thanks