Manual:License: Difference between revisions

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This is probably because you purchased this key before we introduced this policy. As the upgrade time is written in the key, and you purchased this key before March 1st, 2006 - then logically you still have 1 year of upgrade time written in your key. This 3 Years offer is valid only for keys purchased after March 1st, 2006.
This is probably because you purchased this key before we introduced this policy. As the upgrade time is written in the key, and you purchased this key before March 1st, 2006 - then logically you still have 1 year of upgrade time written in your key. This 3 Years offer is valid only for keys purchased after March 1st, 2006.
==== Licenses Purchased from Resellers ====
The keys that you purchase from other vendors and resellers, are not in your account. Your mikrotik.com account only contains licenses purchased from MikroTik directly. Contact your Reseller for upgrade time extensions and license level upgrades.


== Upgrading Licenses ==
== Upgrading Licenses ==

Revision as of 08:33, 9 June 2006

Using the License

How many computers can I use the License on?

At the same time, the RouterOS license can be used only in one system. The License is bound to the HDD it is installed on, but you have the ability to move the HDD to another computer system. You cannot move the License to another HDD, neither can you format or overwrite the HDD with the RouterOS license. It will be erased from the drive, and you will have to get a new one. If you accidently removed your license, contact the support team for help.

Can I temporary use the HDD for something else, other than RouterOS?

As stated above, no.

What is a Replacement Key

It is a special key which is issued by the Support Team if you accidently lose the license, and the Mikrotik Support decides that it is not directly your fault. It costs 10$ and has the same features as the key that you lose. Note that before issuing such key, the Mikrotik Support can ask you to prove that the old drive is failed, in some cases this means sending us the dead drive.

Must I type the whole key into the router?

No, simply copy it and paste into the Telnet window, or License menu in Winbox.

Can I install another OS on my drive and then install RouterOS again later?

No, because if you use formatting or partitioning utilities, or tools that do something to the MBR, you will lose the license and you will have to make a new one. This process is not free (see Replacement Key above)

License Levels

What Levels are there ?

You can purchase a Level 4,5 and 6. Level 1 is the demo license.

What are the Level 2 and 3 ?

Level 2 was a transitional license from old legacy license format. These licenses are not available anymore, if you have this kind of license, it will work, but to upgrade it - you will have to purchase a new license.

Level 3 was the basic license without wireless features, which now has been replaced with Level 4 as the lowest level. Now Level 3 is not available on the account server. Upgrading of this Level is not possible, a new purchase is necessary if you wish to get a higher level with wireless AP. Since the policy change we have removed Level3 from the account server, and it is available as a bulk-only purchase. It does have wireless client now if you happen to have it.

Level 3 can only be obtained in large quantities. If you need a wireless-client-only license, you can get these if you need more than 100 at once.

Level differences

What is the difference between Level4 and Level5 ?

In version 2.9 the difference is that Level5 comes with 3 years of upgrade time, and 30 days of support. Level4 comes with 1 year of upgrade time and 15 days of support. Level4 also has a limit of 200 Active Hotspot users. Complete table of Levels and prices is available on the price page

Note that 3 years of upgrade time are given at the moment of purchase, in the account server. You will immediatelly see this. You can also check the remaining upgrade time in RouterOS License menu. This is valid for licenses purchased after March 1st, 2006.

What is the difference between Level5 and Level6 ?

Level 5 has limitation of 500 PPPoE users and 500 Active Hotspot users, also the new User Manager is limited to 10 active sessions. Level6 does not have any limits.

Why is there no Level3 anymore?

We significantly lowered the Software prices, and the Wireless-AP enabled license now costs 45$ list price. It replaces the Level3 as the cheapest available license. Level3 is not available on the account server now (except for special request bulk purchase, contact sales for this). See above for description of the Level3


Extending License upgrade time

Can I extend the upgrade time before it has ended, or can I get Level 3 with bigger upgrade time ?

For License Levels 4-6 upgrade time extension costs 40% cheaper than a new license. You can extend the upgrade time in the account server. For Level3 this costs 15$ per year, but is possible only at the time of purchase, or before the upgrade time ends. After the upgrade time is over, upgrade time can not be extended neither for L3 nor for other license levels.

Also Level3 is not upgradable to higher levels as it is a bulk-only license.

What happens when the license upgrade time runs out ?

upgrade time means both - upgrade of RouterOS software versions and upgrade of the license. If the upgrade time has run out - you cannot upgrade the RouterOS to higher versions, and you can neither upgrade the license nor extend it's upgrade time. You will have to buy a new license. This applies to all licenses.

Important! The RouterOS software continues working as it did before. If your software runs fine, and you do not need the new features/improvements of newer versions - you do not need to upgrade your license/software.

Do I need to get a new SoftID (reinstall) to get that new license after the upgrade time is over?

Of course not! Your router will remain operational after the upgrade time runs out. If you decide that you need a higher level license, or need to upgrade the software - simply use the current SoftID to get a new license with your desired features.

Can I downgrade to older RouterOS version even after upgrade time is over?

Yes, if you have older RouterOS NPK packages, you can downgrade and upgrade back to any version that was available before your upgrade time ended. The Router's clock does not matter, the package contains the dates, as does the license code.

How to extend upgrade time for licenses?

In the account server. Log in, select your key, click "upgrade" and select additional upgrade period. You do not have to change license level to do this. See screenshots here: Extending Upgrade Time

Why cannot I upgrade/extend my license?

If the account server does not let you upgrade or extend your license upgrade time, it means that your license upgrade time has ended - this means that your software can no longer be upgraded to higher versions, and the key can not be ugraded to higher levels. In this case a new key is needed.

Why is the upgrade / extension not available after the upgrade time ends?

We have introduced new, very low prices for Software, which now compensates for the lack of upgrade/extension after the upgrade deadline. Buying a new AP license is now a lot cheaper than an upgrade was before the new prices.

3 Years of upgrade time is not available for my Level5 or 6 key!

This is probably because you purchased this key before we introduced this policy. As the upgrade time is written in the key, and you purchased this key before March 1st, 2006 - then logically you still have 1 year of upgrade time written in your key. This 3 Years offer is valid only for keys purchased after March 1st, 2006.

Licenses Purchased from Resellers

The keys that you purchase from other vendors and resellers, are not in your account. Your mikrotik.com account only contains licenses purchased from MikroTik directly. Contact your Reseller for upgrade time extensions and license level upgrades.

Upgrading Licenses

How much does it cost to upgrade from one License Level to another?

You will have to pay the price difference between these levels. For example If Level4 costs 45$ and Level5 costs 95$, the upgrade will cost 50$ and you will receive a new Level5 license, with 3 year upgrade time (from this day).

Examples

You have: Level 4 license with upgrade time. 
You want: Level 5 license. 

You have to pay 95$-45$= 50$

OR

You have: Level 4 license with NO MORE upgrade time. 
You want: Level 5 license. 

You must purchase Level 5 at full price, because after Upgrade Time Ends - 
No more upgrades can be done to the license, 
or the RouterOS software. See above question about upgrade time.

Why cannot I upgrade my Level 3 license to Level 4,5 or 6?

Level 3 is a bulk-only license, therefore we do not offer it on the account server. If you need a higher level license, please purchase it on the account server. You will have the choice between Levels 4,5 and 6.

Obtaining Licenses and working with them

Where can I buy/upgrade a RouterOS license key?

In the Account Server, which is located on www.mikrotik.com

If I have purchased my key elsewhere, and now want to upgrade it?

You must contact the company who sold you the license, they will provide support and upgrades.

If I have a license and want to put it on another account?

You can give access to keys with the help of Virtual Folders