• Soft licenses are linked to a specific computer. This is the default configuration. The license is configured at the time of installation by use of an activation key, which, once activated, locks the license to a specific machine.
  • Hard licenses are attached to a hardware dongle.

Task

Soft Key

Hard Key

Activation

Activation key entered by user on destination machine

Configured prior to shipping, no activation required

Transfer

Requires de-activation from initial PC then re-activation on destination PC

Unplug USB key from initial PC, plug it in to the destination PC

Upgrade/Update

Managed through license tool

Managed through license tool

Conversion between floating/local

Done in software through license tool

Requires new USB key