Data Domain Licensing FAQs (ELMS/Software Licensing Central)
Summary: This article answers common questions about Data Domain licensing, including electronic licensing (ELMS), license management, and deployment using Software License Central.
Instructions
Instructions and FAQ
What is ELMS?
Electronic License Management System (ELMS) is the standard licensing framework used to manage and enable Data Domain software features.
Licenses are delivered as a license file and applied directly to the system to activate functionality.
What is Software License Central (SLC)?
Software License Central is the portal used to:
- View license entitlements
- Generate license files
- Manage and activate Data Domain software licenses
Why is ELMS licensing used?
ELMS simplifies license management by:
- Replacing manual license key entry
- Allowing centralized entitlement tracking
- Supporting feature activation through a single license file
How are ELMS licenses deployed?
- Log in to Software License Central
- Generate a license file for the target system
- Download the license file
- Upload it to the Data Domain system
This activates all entitlements in the file.
Can multiple licenses be combined?
Yes, multiple entitlements can be combined into a single license file; simplifying deployment and ongoing management.
What is the difference between legacy licenses and ELMS licenses?
| Feature | Legacy Licensing | ELMS Licensing |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Individual license keys | Single license file |
| Activation | Manual entry | File-based import |
| Management | Per-feature | Centralized using portal |
✅ ELMS is the standard and recommended licensing method.
Should reverting from ELMS to legacy licensing be done?
Reverting is technically possible but not recommended.
If required:
- Resetting the licensing configuration
- See the DDOS admin guide for the command and syntax
- Reapplying licenses
➡️ Contact Dell Technical Support for assistance
How to obtain or update licenses?
Licenses are managed through Software License Central.
If licenses are missing or incorrect:
- Contact your Dell account team or reseller
- Contact Dell Licensing Support (licensing@dell.com)
- Or open a support request
- Provide:
- System serial number
- Order number or entitlement details
- Provide:
What to do if a license conversion or correction is required?
For license conversions, corrections, or entitlement issues:
- Contact Dell Licensing Support (licensing@dell.com)
- Provide:
- System serial number
- Order number or entitlement details
How are capacity-based licenses used?
Some features (such as Boost or Replication) may use capacity-based licensing:
- Licensing is based on the amount of storage capacity
- The licensed capacity must align with system usage
What happens when new features are added?
When additional features are purchased:
- New entitlements are added in Software License Central
- A new license file must be generated and applied
Are software features licensed separately?
Yes, features such as:
- Replication
- Boost
- Retention Lock
- Encryption
These are licensed independently and enabled through the license file.
Do licenses require reapplication after upgrades?
Licenses remain valid across software updates.
If issues occur:
- Reapply the existing license file
- Or download a new license file from the SLC portal
Where can I get help with licensing?
For any licensing issues:
- Contact Dell Technical Support (licensing@dell.com)
- Or open a case using the support portal (dell.com/support)
Support can assist with:
- License recovery
- Entitlement issues
- Conversion or migration tasks