Why do I need a new License Code?

Introduction

When you install Iguana installation it generates a unique identifier based on various machine parameters. Multiple Iguana instances installed on one machine will all produce different identifiers. We then issue you with a license key that is matched to the Iguana identifier. Sometimes (usually) when you upgrade Iguana you will be asked for a new license key.

Customers often ask us what things trigger a request for a new license key. Unfortunately we cannot divulge the details of our licensing mechanism. But what we can do is offer solutions to the most common issues that arise.

The reason that a new license code is needed is usually because something about the Iguana installation has changed. The most common changes are: The Iguana working directory has changed, or Iguana has been re-installed in a different directory. Another common issue is trying to upgrade when the Maintenance Expiry Date for a License is in the past. There are also some less common issues that we will address.

The issue section below lists each of the issues, and each issue has a corresponding Solution: “issue” section.

Note: For any other “need a new license” issues not covered in this document please contact us at support@interfaceware.com.

Issue [top]

When you log into Iguana for the first time (usually) after an upgrade it requests a new license key.

These are the most common causes:

  • Iguana’s working directory changed
  • Maintenance Expiry Date is in the past
  • Iguana was re-installed in a different directory
  • Trying to run more Iguana Instances than license allows
  • Iguana trial License has expired
  • Cloning an Iguana server instance
  • Upgrading to Iguana 6.1.1
  • Chameleon licensed separately

Solution: Iguana’s working directory changed [top]

This issue usually arises when you upgrade Iguana and change the working directory. It will also occur if you change the working directory for an instance by updating the iguana.hdf file.

Solution:

You need to get a new license key, either by using your members account, or by emailing Interfaceware support.

Follow these steps:

  1. Login to your members account, then:
    1. Activate a new license key.
    2. Or transfer a license key.
    3. Or activate a 7 day temporary license key — if no other license key is available.
  2. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to:
    1. Activate a new license key.
    2. Or transfer a license key.

      Note: You do not need to request a (7 day) temporary license — as we will automatically send one if no other license is available.

Prevention:

Before you upgrade Iguana or change the working directory — you can check the confirm that there is a license available. You can do this either by using your members account, or by emailing Interfaceware support.

Follow these steps:

  1. Login to your members account
  2. View your licenses, and:
    1. Check that there is a new license available.
    2. Or check that there is a license available for transfer.
      Note: You will need the Iguana ID for the server that wish to transfer the license from.
  3. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to:
    1. Check that there is a new license available.
    2. Or check that there is a license available for transfer (include the Iguana ID for the server that wish to transfer the license from).

Solution: Maintenance Expiry Date is in the past [top]

This issue usually arises when Iguana is upgraded, as the licence expiry date is checked (as part of the upgrade). This can occur if the expiry date for a valid licence has not been updated correctly, or if the licence period has actually expired.

Solution:

You need to edit the license key,  and update the maintenance expiry date to match the date you are paid up to on your latest invoice. You can do this either by using your members account, or by emailing Interfaceware support.

Follow these steps:

  1. Login to your members account.
  2.  Edit the license key.
  3. Refresh the maintenance expiry date.
  4. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to refresh the maintenance expiry date (remember to include the Iguana ID for the server)

    Note: You do not need to request a (7 day) temporary license — as we will automatically send one if no other license is available.

Prevention:

Before you upgrade Iguana you can check the confirm that the expiry date is valid (in the future). You can do this either by using your members account, or by emailing Interfaceware support.

Follow these steps:

  1. Login to your members account.
  2. Edit the license key.
  3. Check the maintenance expiry date is valid (in the future).
  4. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to check the maintenance expiry date (remember to include the Iguana ID for the server).

Solution: Iguana re-installed in a different directory [top]

This issue arises when you re-install Iguana and change the working directory. You cannot re-use the license key from the previous installation. You will need to transfer the license to the new Iguana installation, or activate a new license.

Tip: This issue is actually a special case of the Iguana’s working directory changed solution above — the only difference is that in this case you are doing a re-install (not an upgrade).

Solution:

  1. Login to your members account
  2. Transfer the license from the previous server installation.
    Note: You will need the Iguana ID for the previous installation.
  3. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to transfer the license (remember to include the Iguana IDs for the previous installation and the new installation).

    Note: This solution requires the Iguana ID for the previous installation. If you do not know this ID you can activate a new license.

    Alternatively if you need to conserve licenses you can re-install (then uninstall) Iguana in the old directory to identify the ID.

Prevention:

To make transferring the license easier you should record the Iguana ID from the initial installlation before you uninstall it.

Solution: More Iguana Instances than license allows [top]

This issue usually arises when you install a new instance of Iguana. Though it can also occur if you upgrade Iguana and continue to run the previous installation (because you are actually creating an extra instance of Iguana).

Solution:

  1. Login to your members account.
  2. If you are upgrading then you can transfer the license key from the previous instance.
    Note: This will disable the license for the previous instance.
  3. If it is a fresh install, then:
    1. View your licenses.
    2. Check if there is a new license available.
      Note: You need to do this to confirm that all licenses are used — as opposed to being a different issue.
  4. If no license key is available, then:
    1.  Activate a 7 day temporary license key.
    2. Contact your Interfaceware Account Manager to purchase more licenses.
    3. Alternatively you can decommission an unused server and transfer the license.
  5. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to check if you have used all your allocated licenses.

    Note: You do not need to request a (7 day) temporary license — as we will automatically send one if no other license is available.

Prevention:

Before you create a new instance of Iguana you should check that you have a license available. You can do this either by using your members account, or by emailing Interfaceware support.

  1. Login to your members account.
  2. View your licenses.
  3. Check if there is a license available to activate or transfer.
  4. If no license key is available, then contact your Interfaceware Account Manager to purchase more licenses — before creating your new Iguana instance.
  5. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to check if you have used all your allocated licenses.

Solution: iguana trial License has expired [top]

Interfaceware offers a 30 day trial license so you can try out a fully functional version of the Iguana Translator. When the trial license expires (after 30 days) you will need to enter a new license key. You can contact Interfaceware to discuss purchasing licenses, or request an extension to your trial period.

Solution:

  1. If you are a new customer:
    1. Contact Interfaceware to discuss purchasing licenses.
    2. Alternatively you can request an extension to the trial period.
      Note: We may extend the trial period to allow you to continue evaluating Iguana.
  2. If you are an existing customer login to your members account, then:
    1. Activate a new license key.
    2. Or transfer a license key.
    3. Or activate a 7 day temporary license key — if no other license key is available.
    4. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to: Activate a new license key or transfer a license key.

Prevention:

In the case of a trial license there is not really anything to “prevent”. However if you are an existing customer you may prefer to use one or your purchased licenses.

Solution: Cloning an Iguana server instance [top]

This issue occurs when you clone an Iguana instance to run in a VM (virtual machine). Iguana will fail to start correctly because it needs a new license key — but you are unable enter a new key. You will need to contact interfaceware support and we will send you a utility program that resolves this issue.

Note: The reason this occurs is that when you clone an installation Iguana “remembers” the old (invalid) license key. This creates an indeterminate state that prevents Iguana from starting up correctly. The utility program we send you will resolve the issue.

Solution:

  1. Please email support  at support@interfaceware.com to let us know you are having problems with a cloned instance of Iguana.

Prevention:

If you want to create several VMs running Iguana then you can clone an unlicensed Iguana instance. Then you will be able to license Iguana separately on each clone in the usual way.

Follow these steps:

  1. Create a fresh install of Iguana.
  2. Start Iguana to check the install worked correctly — but do enter a license key.
  3. Clone Iguana instance.
  4. Now when you start Iguana on each cloned instance you will be asked for a license key.

Solution: Upgrading to Iguana 6.1.0 [top]

This issue is a bug that only arises when you upgrade Iguana 6.1.0. When you upgrade to 6.1.0 you will be told that the Maintenance Expiry date is invalid (in the past) — even when it is valid (in the future). You need to edit the license key,  and update the maintenance expiry date. You can do this either by using your members account, or by emailing Interfaceware support.

Solution:

Follow these steps:

  1. Login to your members account.
  2.  Edit the license key.
  3. Refresh the maintenance expiry date.
    Note: In this case you must even when it is valid (in the future).
  4. If you cannot access your members account email support  at support@interfaceware.com and request us to refresh the maintenance expiry date (remember to include the Iguana ID for the server)

Prevention:

The only way to prevent this is not to upgrade to 6.1.0. We recommend upgrading to 6.1.1 or later (the bug was fixed in 6.1.1).

Solution: Chameleon licensed separately [top]

This is issue only applies to Windows users, because Chameleon only runs on Windows.

Sometimes Chameleon does not work (gives a license error), after you have installed/upgraded Iguana. This issue occurs when you have an Iguana installation where Chameleon was previously installed and licensed independently (of Iguana). It is caused by registry entries from the old/legacy Chameleon license. The solution is simply to remove all “chameleon” entries from the registry.

Note: This is a legacy issue that only affects legacy Chameleon users, who where using Chameleon before they installed Iguana.

Solution:

  1. Log into Windows as an administrator (or local administrator).
  2. Edit the registry (using regedit).
  3. Save a (backup) copy of the registry before making any changes.
  4. Search for registry entries containing “chameleon”.
  5. Delete all the “chameleon” registry entries you find.

Warning: Only do this if you are already comfortable with editing the registry!

If you are uncertain or if you run into any problems then contact us at support@interfaceware.com.

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