This document provides the necessary
information needed to know which details
to retain after a ShadowProtect installation
and outlines steps to recover this data in
the occasion that these records were not
created/retained.
Managing
Your
Licenses
Inventory Management and
Auditing Techniques
Stan Nelson
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Table of Contents
Managing ShadowProtect Licenses .............................................................................................................. 2
Inputting and Retaining the Correct Information ......................................................................................... 3
MSP Install................................................................................................................................................. 3
Retail Install............................................................................................................................................... 4
HOW TO: Quick Mount Used to Pull License Information ............................................................................ 7
HOW TO: Push Install Used as a License Discovery Tool .............................................................................. 9
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Managing ShadowProtect Licenses
It is extremely important to manage and track your ShadowProtect licenses. Situations arise where
license information is required to interact and request support from StorageCraft:
1. License numbers are required to open support cases
2. License numbers and installation details (discussed later) are required to help with
activation/deactivation issues
3. License numbers are required to renew maintenance contracts
4. License numbers are required to verify Premium Support
Tracking inventory is a basic business concept. StorageCraft keeps minimum records after the purchase
and delivery of digital goods. It is the responsibility of the reseller/consumer to track and maintain
accurate and thorough records of all information regarding StorageCraft licenses and installation details.
Please use the tools included in this document to assist with license management and tracking.
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Inputting and Retaining the Correct Information
The information that should be input during installation and retained in company records postinstallation will be discussed in this section. There are two types of installations: MSP and retail. Please
refer to the appropriate section to determine which information should be input retained postinstallation.
MSP Install
Please review the screenshot below. Note that the fields you must fill out are Serial Number, MSP
Name, Customer Name, and Computer Role.
Figure 1: MSP Activation Pane
Serial Number: Input the serial number that you generate through the MSP Licensing Console
MSP Name: Input the name of the company that is the Managed Service Provider
Customer Name: Input the name of the company that is contracting managed services
Computer Role: Input the computer name. (The computer name can be found by opening the Control
Panel > System and Security > System. Review the screenshot below; the computer name is highlighted.)
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Figure 2: Computer Name to be Used for Activation and Internal Tracking
Track the following fields in a database for internal tracking and reference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Serial Number
MSP Name
Customer Name
Computer Role (remember to use computer name)
Date of activation
Retail Install
Please review the screenshot below. Note that the fields you must fill out are Serial Number, Name, and
Organization. (Please identify the version number that corresponds with your activation.)
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Figure 3: Activate Product Pane (v4.2 and later)
Serial Number: Input the serial number that you receive after purchasing a license StorageCraft license
Name: Input the computer name. (The computer name can be found by opening the Control Panel >
System and Security > System. Review Figure 2; the computer name is highlighted.)
Organization: Input the name of the company that has purchased the license. (If the license is resold,
the end user information should be used in this field. If the license is purchased for internal use, the
name of your company should be used in this field.)
Track the following fields in a database for internal tracking and reference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Serial Number
Name (remember to use computer name)
Organization
Date of activation
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Figure 4: Activation Pane (v4.1.5 and prior)
Customer Name: Input the computer name. (The computer name can be found by opening the Control
Panel > System and Security > System. Review Figure 2; the computer name is highlighted.)
Serial Number: Input the serial number that you receive after purchasing a license StorageCraft license
Machine ID: Record the Machine ID that displays in the Activation pane.
Hardware ID: Record the Hardware ID that displays in the Activation pane.
Track the following fields in a database for internal tracking and reference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Customer Name
Serial Number
Machine ID
Hardware ID
Date of activation
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HOW TO: Quick Mount Used to Pull License Information
You can mount a ShadowProtect image to access the ShadowProtect log files. The log files (4.1.5 and
prior) contain Machine ID, Hardware ID, and pieces of the serial number. This information, if recovered,
can be vital in identifying software activation details.
1. Start the ShadowProtect Console
2. Open the Explore Backup Wizard by doing one of the following:

In the Wizards tab, click Explore Backup.

In the Tasks menu, click Explore Backup.

In the Menu bar, select Tasks > Explore Backup.
3. On the Backup Image File Name page, browse to the backup image file you want to mount and
then click “Next.”
Note: If the backup image is encrypted you must provide the appropriate password.
4. The Explore Backup Image Wizard displays a categorized list of information about the backup
image file.
5.
6. On the Explore Options page, select how you want to mount the backup image, and then click
“Next.”
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7. On the Wizard Summary page, review the mount information, and then click “Finish.”
ShadowProtect mounts the backup image file, then automatically launches Windows Explorer and
displays the mounted volume.
8. Browse to the following path in the newly mounted drive:

If 64-bit system: Program Files (x86)\StorageCraft\ShadowProtect\Logs

If 32-bit system: Program Files\StorageCraft\ShadowProtect\Logs
9. Open up the most recent log file with Notepad or any text editor of your choice.
10. Find an entry similar to the following:
06-Aug-2010 21:31:09 service 104 4.0.1.6921 XXXX-XXXX YYYY-YYYY
XXXX-XXXX is the Machine ID
YYYY-YYYY is the Hardware ID
If you see a line entry of the following format
06-Aug-2010 21:31:09 service 104 4.0.1.6921 XXXX-XXXX AAAA-BBBB-YYYY-YYYY
XXXX-XXXX is the Machine ID
YYYY-YYYY is the Hardware ID
AAAA are the first 4 digits of the serial number.
BBBB are the last 4 digits of the serial number.
11. Record the Machine ID and the Hardware ID
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HOW TO: Push Install Used as a License Discovery Tool
You can use the Push Install tool bundled with ShadowProtect to help perform a license audit. The
general idea is to begin the Push Install process, arrive at the point where end-points can be selected as
targets for a push install, and then identify the installed and activated agents. The information gathered
will include computer name, Machine ID, and Hardware ID.
Please note that this method is not comprehensive. It will only help to discover machines on the same
network that are accessible. (A machine may not be accessible if you do not have the necessary
rights/access or an installation may not show if the machine is off the network or turned off.)
Please use the following steps to use the Push Install as a license auditing tool:
1. Start the ShadowProtect Console
2. In the Management View tab, click Install
3. Click “Next” in the Push Install Wizard so you can configure the remote installation
4. On the Specify Installer Package page, browse to the ShadowProtect Installer Package that you
want to use for the remote installation, then click “Next.”
There must be an associated installation setup file (.iss) with the selected installer package. You
can download these file by browsing to the following webpage:
http://www.storagecraft.com/software_update.php
5. In the Choose Search Options and Proper Credentials dialog box, select the three following options
and provide the required information, and then click “Next.”
System Name
Choose Domain name and provide the name of the domain name in the field.
Provide the authentication credentials that Push Install uses to gain access to the
Use Specified
Credentials
remote system.
Note: If you do not provide credentials, Push Install uses your current credentials
to attempt to access the remote system.
Discover
Services
Choose Discover Services. Push Install attempts to identify existing ShadowProtect
services running on remote systems. When successful, it displays the information it
gathers about agent version.
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6. On the Computers Overview page, you can select systems that have ShadowProtect installed. You
can view the installed machines’ Serial Number, Hardware ID, Software ID, and computer name.
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