Q: How can RPM Remote Print Manager® ("RPM") be used in a fail-safe way with the licensing model?
A: The Brooks License Manager generates a serial number during installation based on the MAC address of the first network device. The MAC address is obtained using the SNMP protocol. This method ensures that the serial number is unique because MAC addresses are also unique.
Each time the RPM Remote Print Manager® (RPM) service is started, the serial number is verified against the MAC address of the current network device. If there is any discrepancy, the license expires (is set to a trial with 0 days remaining). In order for the new serial number to function, it must be reactivated.
If hardware failure causes the license to expire, an uninstall and reinstall must be performed to allow the trial license to be used in production within the printer limit of the trial. Contact us to reset your license so it can be activated again.
Solution: We advise exporting the current RPM configuration to a safe place and keeping a copy of the latest install as a backup procedure. If there is a failure, a new system or the repaired system can be placed into production quickly. The license will need to be activated to have the full printer limit supported.
When a fail-safe backup plan is required, we recommend an extra license be purchased. If your server is down, and you cannot contact us, then you can license your backup RPM until we can be reached. Once we are reached, we can deactivate your backup license and it is available next time you need it. This is a low-cost way of ASSURING your RPM production license will always be up and running.