Trial versions of Domino really are time limited

Anthony Holmes  24 June 2008 10:55:51 AM

A couple of weeks ago a customer of mine was building a Domino server as part of a plan to upgrade some Quickplace installations to Quickr.


They asked me whether the trial software available for download actually stopped Domino from running after the end of the number of trial days.

(For example, software obtained from here.)


This question worried me, but (in a fit of honesty) I told them that I didn't think the period was enforced. It's has been a very long time since I installed a demo version.

In the customer's case, I did the right thing and told them that it was imperative that they use proper code for production installations, and I gave them help to make sure they knew how to log into Passport Advantage.

As it turns out, it was easier for them to get going with the demo software they had to hand - and for a limited Test/Proof of Concept installation, that's OK. However, their server is now saying:

W A R N I N G You are using a temporary license. You need to enroll IBM Lotus Domino within 8 days.

.... and it looks like they won't be able to restart Domino after the trial period expires. They will have to install a non-trial version of Domino over the top.

I don't believe this was enforced with previous versions of Domino, but I guess it makes sense that IBM provides some restriction on software made available to people who haven't purchased a licence.

This behaviour is documented:

http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/domhelp/v8r0/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.help.domino.admin.doc/DOC/H_USING_THE_DOMINO_SERVER_WITH_A_TRIAL_EVALUATION_LICENSE_OVER.html


 

• Comments [5]