What is CopyMinder and how does it manage my HydroComp license?

Modified on Sun, 24 May at 9:16 AM

Applies to: All HydroComp products – current versions

Background

Since 2018, HydroComp products have been deployed with CopyMinder software-based license protection, replacing the earlier Sentinel SuperPro USB hardware security key. CopyMinder uses an encrypted software activation that is tied to the host computer's hardware profile (for node-locked licenses) or managed by a CopyMinder server process (for Floating licenses).

How CopyMinder Works

When a HydroComp product is launched, CopyMinder checks the local activation status. For -ocked licenses, the activation is stored on the computer and periodically validated against the HydroComp license server over the internet. For Floating licenses, the client software requests a license token from a CopyMinder Server process running on a designated server computer within the local network.

CopyMinder communicates with HydroComp license cloud

These connections are initiated outbound from the license server or client computer – HydroComp does not initiate inbound connections to the user's network. In most network environments this requires no special firewall configuration. In restrictive environments (corporate firewalls, air-gapped networks, VPN configurations), outbound access .

License Types Managed by CopyMinder

Node-Locked: The license is activated on a single specific computer. The computer must periodically connect to the HydroComp license server to validate the subscription. Manual activation is available for computers without internet access.
LAN-Floating: A CopyMinder Server process runs on a designated server computer. Client computers request a license token from the server. The server manages concurrent-user limits and handles periodic online validation on behalf of all clients.
Enterprise Floating: An extended LAN-Floating configuration supporting larger concurrent-user pools and broader network configurations. See the related article.

Subscription Compliance

CopyMinder periodically checks the license against the subscription status recorded in the HydroComp license database. When an MSU subscription is renewed, HydroComp updates the server-side record. The local CopyMinder instance retrieves this update automatically on the next connection.

No Hardware Key Required

Unlike the legacy Sentinel SuperPro USB key, CopyMinder requires no physical hardware. License transfer to a new computer is handled through the activation/deactivation process rather than physically moving a key. See the related article on license transfer.