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View Full Version : Using Wireless NIC as a dongle for Foundation?

tibes
05-11-2007, 12:23 AM
Hey all, I just got my XSI 6 Foundation license and I'm itching to try it out. The only thing is I'm upgrading PC in a week or two so I don't want to node lock it just yet.

This got me thinking - if it's tied to your PC's Network MAC address, is it possible to use a Wireless NIC (the USB $30 kind) to emulate a dongle (since these have a MAC address and are easily moved between PCs).

The XSI licensing info says it's tied to the MAC address, but I've read elsewhere that it's also based on your Hard Disk serial #, which would mean this wouldn't work.

Has anyone tried moving their ethernet cards between PCs without doing a full license transfer?

I can wait another week until I get my upgrade, but I change things around quite a bit in my PC and this whole node-lock deal is a bit irritating.
ThE_JacO
05-11-2007, 02:03 AM
it needs to be based on a mac address that can be easily queried, and probably the eth0 interface, and not any following ones.

why don't you just buy a $10 ethernet card and make sure that remains the eth0 on all boxes if you want a MAC you can move around?
Even better, why don't you write to support or sales and ask them these questions? :)
tibes
05-11-2007, 02:57 AM
Even better, why don't you write to support or sales and ask them these questions?

TBH, the XSI licensing info and Wiki aren't that clear on the whole thing - I figured the best bet is to ask what people's actual experience is.

I have a bunch of spare PCI NICs laying around, but I'm still uncertain about the HDD issue. Has anyone actually moved a network card to another PC and transferred the license along with, without contact Softimage for an xfer?

If that works, then that's a suitable solution.
CiaranM
05-11-2007, 12:58 PM
Hi,
this question was brought up on XSIBase.com. According to the guy from Softimage support, SPM doesn't yet offer the choice of choosing a MAC address, though may in the future. Also, SPM also binds to some other hardware beyond your NIC.
It sounds like this may be possible in the future, but not at present.

See towards the end of this thread:
http://www.xsibase.com/forum/index.php?board=9;action=display;threadid=29903;start=12
WillBellJr
05-11-2007, 03:14 PM
Well I hope they do it - people have too many computers these days (desktop, laptop (2) , office computer - in my case) not being able to use your legitimately purchased software where ever you go is a major hassle.

I'm an ESS user now but I was with FND when it didn't have the node lock limitation so I can appreciate the pain that's being felt...

-Will
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05-11-2007, 03:14 PM
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