The Activation and the Validation process work hand in hand to protect the software from piracy and ensure the licensing terms are respected by the user.

The first barrier is the Activation process performed with the DNA Server which creates a License file, the CDM, if the activation is legitimate and successfull. During the Activation process, the user will be asked to provide:

• A valid License Activation Code or Evaluation License Code, which must exist on the DNA Server and must not yet been activated
• When User Authentication is enabled, a License Code password (max 16 characters) that will be linked to the License Code and is used when re-installing or re-activating the software, and when accessing the License Manager
• Optionaly, an email address, which is used to send information to the user, such as the "Send Lost Pasword" email

The encrypted CDM License file is specific to the License Activation or Evaluation code provided by the user and the user’s computer / device / browser using an anonymous <machineID>. These two parameters are used to encrypt the CDM ensuring it can not work on another computer.

The user-defined License Code Password ensures the user’s authenticity with regards to that specific activation or evaluation code in case the software needs to be re-installed or re-activated on the same or on a different computer in the future.

The CDM License file is stored in a read/write directory on the user’s computer / device or as a browser cookie for SAAS Apps (see our guidelines in the Developer Guides on where to store the CDM License file on different OS’s). The CDM contains licensing information and must remain in place. If it is deleted or modified in any way by any means other than by the DNA Server, it will be rejected and the software will need to be re-activated.

All communication between the software, the DNA Client and the DNA Server are encrypted using secure PKI algorithms.