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/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.
Can I revert from ELMS to legacy licensing?
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 do I 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 should I do if I need a license conversion or correction?
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
Are licensed independently and enabled through the license file.
I must reapply licenses 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