Free license error

dgrunblatt · Wed Jun 03, 2015 6:43 pm

Hi!

I just signed up for a 2 node free license for hyper-v and got this error message:
error using the license key. please check that you are using latest version of software and that license file is valid.

I just downloaded the latest starwind 8 build 7929 and got the license key from sales dept.
I have 2 Proliant ML310e Gen8 V2 servers with Windows Server 2012R2 Datacenter with Hyper-V installed.
This cluster is for developing purposes (compilers, test machines with different OSs)

Need help ASAP!!

Thanks!
Daniel

darklight · Fri Jun 05, 2015 9:33 am

Hi, Dgrunblatt.

If I understand it clearly, you are trying to install free version of StarWind on clustered Hyper-V machines (not on the VM's)?

dgrunblatt · Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:06 pm

yes. that's correct. I was following this guide: https://www.starwindsoftware.com/techni ... manual.pdf until I reached step 14). It's greyed out.

darklight · Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:16 pm

Seems to me you trying to install StarWind directly on host OS. It's not allowed in a free version. Create a VM on each machine and install StarWind inside a VM.

dgrunblatt · Fri Jun 05, 2015 12:56 pm

what do you mean is not allowed in the free version? the free version is up to a 2-node-cluster!! What's wrong with this company? why did they offer to you something for free and after installing everthing, you come up saying it's not? shame on you! what a waste of time...

dgrunblatt · Fri Jun 05, 2015 1:06 pm

there are other members of this forum that are facing the same situation. This is exactly what I feel:

darklight · Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:33 pm

Sure, it's a free beer, mate.
You just have to come with your own mug.

Use free Microsoft's hyper-v server as a host OS for you physical hosts, create two VM's and install StarWind in it. Works like a charm.

Branin · Fri Jun 05, 2015 11:30 pm

darklight wrote:Sure, it's a free beer, mate.
You just have to come with your own mug.

Use free Microsoft's hyper-v server as a host OS for you physical hosts, create two VM's and install StarWind in it. Works like a charm.

This is incorrect. I'm running the free version on 2 physical Hyper-V hosts just fine (I have a problem with MPIO, but that's separate from the license). A VM is only needed if you are installing the VMWare version. The Hyper-V version installs on the actual hosts (although based on this and other forum postings, StarWind may be having some issues with their license generator).

Branin

darklight · Mon Jun 08, 2015 1:52 pm

It seems to me that you are using an older free version of StarWind. After recent changes, it's not possible anymore as I've told.

I have just tested it on my servers and it doesn't work. Got the same message with license error.

Staff answered the question here: https://forums.starwindsoftware.com/vie ... 235#p24057

Branin · Mon Jun 08, 2015 4:47 pm

Oops. I must have had a free license file generated in the short window that it was available for bare-metal Hyper-V clusters. Sorry for the bad information.

Branin

Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:54 am

The most recent version of what's supported and what's not clarification document is here:

https://www.starwindsoftware.com/styles ... s_Paid.pdf

Company leaves right to change offering however in your case I'm still not sure what's wrong: you can absolutely do what you had planned initially. If for some reason not - we're not trying to choke people on anything so be nice to ask and we'll respond

I've dropped you an e-mail just in case so please check your Inbox.

mkhc · Sat Jun 27, 2015 1:58 pm

Having known that now the free edition can only be installed on VM, I wonder, desperately, if there's still any hope to run a two node Hyper-V failover cluster on two physical machines with it.

Well, let me tell my story...

Back in January, when I was looking for a minimal solution of Microsoft failover cluster, Google introduced StarWind to me. I read the website and some step-by-step guides, bingo! This free 2-node version is what I need.

So I wrote up a proposal, got my boss endorsed, and ordered two rack servers, each with powerful CPUs, plenty of RAM & filled with SAS 10k disks. Now the servers are on shipping (yes this process could take months in certain organizations

) And when I check back on StarWind website to get ready for licenses and documents,

THE HYPER-CONVERGED SETUP IS GONE!

Now the two servers are knocking on my door. The budget has been confirmed months ago. What can I do with them?

Sat Jun 27, 2015 10:32 pm

PM me your valid e-mail and I'll see what I can do.

mkhc wrote:Having known that now the free edition can only be installed on VM, I wonder, desperately, if there's still any hope to run a two node Hyper-V failover cluster on two physical machines with it.

Well, let me tell my story...

Back in January, when I was looking for a minimal solution of Microsoft failover cluster, Google introduced StarWind to me. I read the website and some step-by-step guides, bingo! This free 2-node version is what I need.

So I wrote up a proposal, got my boss endorsed, and ordered two rack servers, each with powerful CPUs, plenty of RAM & filled with SAS 10k disks. Now the servers are on shipping (yes this process could take months in certain organizations ) And when I check back on StarWind website to get ready for licenses and documents, THE HYPER-CONVERGED SETUP IS GONE!

Now the two servers are knocking on my door. The budget has been confirmed months ago. What can I do with them?

khanumaiah1 · Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:33 am

I'm in the same boat. While it's a company's prerogative to change the rules as they go along, it's very frustrating when they do.

Kiran

Wed Jul 01, 2015 2:10 pm

If you're really interested to solve your issue you can read my reply to previous posting guy. Everything is there

khanumaiah1 wrote:I'm in the same boat. While it's a company's prerogative to change the rules as they go along, it's very frustrating when they do.

Kiran