Hello,
I am working on a project that involves multiple computers, all created in the same manner (i.e. same software, same configurations, etc). The hardware setup is a VME-based single board computer that has 2 Ethernet ports (port 0 a static IP for an internal network, port 1 for a network with access to the internet for product activation, updates, etc). When the hard disks were created a SCSI CD-Rom was attached, but this CD-ROM is not present in the system during normal operation.
Recently, I have seen more than a few of these systems requiring Windows reactivation and this made me wonder about the licensing process. I know that there is a hardware hash created by 10 hardware characteristics and that it is a tolerance based on a voting mechanism and all this makes me wonder if the nature of my development environment has created a system that is vulnerable to the windows reactivation process.
If I understand the process correctly, there needs to be 7 or more matching points to keep the activation current. In my case since the CD-rom is not present in the system that is in the field, that is one change in the hardware hash. To avoid confusion, I disable Ethernet port 1 (the one with access to the internet used to activate windows) which, if I understand the process, counts for 3 in the voting scheme used to determine activation status (making the total of my hardware changed 4 and putting me over the threshold for activation, thus requiring reactivation).
My question is two-fold.
1. Is my understanding of the activation process accurate?
2. Assuming my thought process is correct, instead of disabling Ethernet 1, if I keep it active will this prevent Windows from requiring reactivation?
Thanks in advance for any information provided!
-Jason
I am working on a project that involves multiple computers, all created in the same manner (i.e. same software, same configurations, etc). The hardware setup is a VME-based single board computer that has 2 Ethernet ports (port 0 a static IP for an internal network, port 1 for a network with access to the internet for product activation, updates, etc). When the hard disks were created a SCSI CD-Rom was attached, but this CD-ROM is not present in the system during normal operation.
Recently, I have seen more than a few of these systems requiring Windows reactivation and this made me wonder about the licensing process. I know that there is a hardware hash created by 10 hardware characteristics and that it is a tolerance based on a voting mechanism and all this makes me wonder if the nature of my development environment has created a system that is vulnerable to the windows reactivation process.
If I understand the process correctly, there needs to be 7 or more matching points to keep the activation current. In my case since the CD-rom is not present in the system that is in the field, that is one change in the hardware hash. To avoid confusion, I disable Ethernet port 1 (the one with access to the internet used to activate windows) which, if I understand the process, counts for 3 in the voting scheme used to determine activation status (making the total of my hardware changed 4 and putting me over the threshold for activation, thus requiring reactivation).
My question is two-fold.
1. Is my understanding of the activation process accurate?
2. Assuming my thought process is correct, instead of disabling Ethernet 1, if I keep it active will this prevent Windows from requiring reactivation?
Thanks in advance for any information provided!
-Jason