# Protected version

The EC-Simulator software is available in different protected versions:

Dongled
: Binary with dongle protection (Linux x64, x86, Windows only)

Protected
: Binary with MAC protection. Requires a physical network adapter for license check (HiL/SiL).

Unrestricted:
: Binary without MAC protection

The protected version is limited to 5 SubDevices and will automatically stop after about 10 minutes of continuous operation. In order to remove this restriction a valid runtime license key or a dongle is required. The runtime license protection with license key is based on the MAC address of the Ethernet controller used for the EtherCAT® protocol. With a valid license key and Protected version the purchased features are automatically unlocked. The Dongled version needs the Dongle and WIBU service to be installed and running. The purchased features stored on the Dongle are automatically unlocked.

#### SEE ALSO
[`esSetLicenseKey()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR), [Simulator Ethernet Driver parameters](architecture_os-configuration.html.md#simulator-ethernet-driver-parameters)

## Licensing procedure for Development Licenses

1. Installation of EC-Simulator Protected or Dongled version accordingly
2. In case of EC-Simulator Protected: Determine the MAC Address by calling esGetSrcMacAddress(0, &oSrcMacAddress)/ecatGetSrcMacAddress(&oSrcMacAddress) or from a sticker applied on the hardware near the Ethernet controller.
3. Send an Email with the subject “**Development License Key Request, Commission** *your commission number*” with the MAC address to [sales@acontis.com](mailto:sales@acontis.com)
4. Acontis will create the license keys and return them in a **License Key Text File (CSV format)**.
   ```none
   Number;MAC Address;License Key
   1;00-00-5A-11-77-FE;DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC-3BA579B2-318AB2B6-CD13B221
   2;64-31-50-80-20-4E;A2B4C98D-00185EF9-22134567-DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC
   ```
5. Activate the License Key by calling [`esSetLicenseKey()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR) or EC_T_LINK_PARMS_SIMULATOR (SiL) with the license key that corresponds to the MAC address on the hardware and check the return code. The license key is 53 characters long. For HiL the API [`esSetLicenseKey()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR) must be called after [`esInitSimulator()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esInitSimulator10EC_T_DWORDPK25EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS) and before [`esConfigureNetwork()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv418esConfigureNetwork10EC_T_DWORD13EC_T_CNF_TYPE10EC_T_PBYTE10EC_T_DWORD). For SiL the license key must be set at  `EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS::szLicenseKey` .

   Example HiL:
   ```cpp
   esSetLicenseKey(0, "A2B4C98D-00185EF9-22134567-DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC");
   ```

   Example SiL:
   ```console
   $ EcMasterDemo -simulator 1 1 eni.xml --lic A2B4C98D-00185EF9-22134567-DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC --link -intelgbe 1 1
   ```

## Licensing procedure for Runtime Licenses

1. Installation of EC-Simulator Protected or Dongled version accordingly
2. In case of EC-Simulator Protected: Determine the MAC Address by calling esGetSrcMacAddress(0, &oSrcMacAddress)/ecatGetSrcMacAddress(&oSrcMacAddress) or from a sticker applied on the hardware near the Ethernet controller.
3. Provide the MAC Addresses and numbers from **previously ordered and unused runtime license stickers** in a text file to acontis as described in the example below. Please use a separate line for each runtime license sticker number and MAC Address.
   ```none
   100-105-1-1/1603310001;00-00-5A-11-77-FE
   100-105-1-1/1603310002;64-31-50-80-20-4E
   ```
4. Send an Email with the subject “**Runtime License Key Request, Commission** *your commission number*” with the MAC address to [sales@acontis.com](mailto:sales@acontis.com)
5. Acontis will create the license keys and return them in a **License Key Text File (CSV format)**.
   ```none
   Number;MAC Address;License Key
   1;00-00-5A-11-77-FE;DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC
   2;64-31-50-80-20-4E;A2B4C98D-00185EF9-22134567-DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC
   ```
6. Activate the License Key by calling [`esSetLicenseKey()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR) or EC_T_LINK_PARMS_SIMULATOR (SiL) with the license key that corresponds to the MAC address on the hardware and check the return code. The license key is 53 characters long. For HiL the API [`esSetLicenseKey()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esSetLicenseKey10EC_T_DWORDPK9EC_T_CHAR) must be called after [`esInitSimulator()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv415esInitSimulator10EC_T_DWORDPK25EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS) and before [`esConfigureNetwork()`](api_general.html.md#_CPPv418esConfigureNetwork10EC_T_DWORD13EC_T_CNF_TYPE10EC_T_PBYTE10EC_T_DWORD). For SiL the license key must be set at  `EC_T_SIMULATOR_INIT_PARMS::szLicenseKey` .

   Example HiL:
   ```cpp
   esSetLicenseKey(0, "A2B4C98D-00185EF9-22134567-DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC");
   ```

   Example SiL:
   ```console
   $ EcMasterDemo -simulator 1 1 eni.xml --lic A2B4C98D-00185EF9-22134567-DA1099F2-15C249E9-54327FBC --link -intelgbe 1 1
   ```