The Professional licenses for your VMS allows your system to manage devices like IP cameras, I/O modules, and encoders. Each license locks to your server's unique Hardware ID (HWID).

This guide covers how to activate licenses online or offline, start a free trial, locate your HWID, and deactivate or transfer licenses.

Before you begin

To manage licenses, make sure you meet the following requirements:

• Install the Media Server application on a supported Windows or Linux computer.

• Log in to your VMS using an account with at least Power User privileges.

Activate a license online (Recommended)

If your server has an active internet connection, use this method to activate a purchased license key.

1. Launch the Desktop Client and log in to your system.

2. Open the Main Menu and select Site Administration.

3. Select the Licenses tab.

4. Under the New License section, select the Internet Activation tab.

5. Enter your 16-digit alphanumeric license key.

6. Click Activate License.

Once activated, the license appears in the Active Licenses list with its expiration date and assigned server.

Activate a free trial license

New users can instantly activate a free 30-day trial license for up to 4 devices. Your server must have an active internet connection to activate the trial license. 

1. Launch the Nx Witness Desktop client and log in to your system.

2. Open the Main Menu and select Site Administration.

3. Select the Licenses tab.

4. Under the New License section, select the Internet Activation tab.

5. Click Activate Trial License.

The trial license appears in the Active Licenses list under the type Time.

Activate a license offline

If your VMS server does not have internet access, you must perform a manual activation. and you need an activation file, which can be obtained through your local authorized reseller.

Step 1: Locate and copy your Hardware ID (HWID)

1. Launch the Nx Witness Desktop client and connect to your server.

2. Open the Main Menu and select Site Administration.

3. Select the Licenses tab.

4. Under New License, select Manual Activation.

5. Click Copy to save the 34-digit HWID to your clipboard.

Step 2: Request and upload the activation file

1. Send the copied HWID and your purchased license key to your local authorized reseller.

2. The reseller will send you an activation key file (.txt).

3. Return to Main Menu > Site Administration > Licenses.

4. Under Manual Activation, click Browse to upload the activation key file.

5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the activation.

Deactivate or move a license

You can deactivate a license to transfer it from one server to another.

Limitations

• You can deactivate and move a license key a maximum of 3 times.

• Your server must have an active internet connection to deactivate a license.

• You cannot deactivate Time licenses (such as free trials).

Steps to deactivate

1. Launch the Nx Witness Desktop client.

2. Open the Main Menu and select Site Administration.

3. Select the Licenses tab.

4. Click the license key you want to remove from the active list to highlight it.

5. Click Deactivate.

6. Complete the deactivation form and click Next.