Activation Overview: MATLAB and Simulink Product Families

The MathWorks requires activation of all software in the MATLAB and Simulink product families (Release 2008a and later). If you are installing software on a computer with an Internet connection, you can activate software at the end of installation. Or you can activate software at any time in the License Center.

To get started, go to the License Center help system for getting-started guides and procedural information about activating software and managing license and user information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is activation?
2. What happens to my information during activation?
3. Which releases require activation?
4. How do I activate my software?
5. How do I activate offline?
6. Can I still install my software on multiple computers?
7. What impact does activation have on my FLEXnet server?
8. Who benefits from activation?

1. What is activation?

Activation is a process that verifies licensed use of MathWorks products. This process validates the license and ensures that it is not used on more computers or by more users than allowed by your license option.

2. What happens to my information during activation?

When you activate software, your data is encrypted and transmitted via the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to a secure activation server at The MathWorks. Transmitted data could include any of the following, depending on license option and activation type: software version number, computer MAC address, host ID, operating system, platform, or the operating system user name of the end user. The activation server at The MathWorks completes the activation by automatically installing a License File in the appropriate directory.

It is your right to know what information The MathWorks collects, how we use it, and what your options are for its use. For complete information, read the full privacy policy.

3. Which releases require activation?

R2008a and later—including prereleases, trials, and betas—require activation. Releases prior to R2008a do not need to be activated. When you activate your software, it is activated for the term of your license. However, if you upgrade to a new release, add or remove products on your license, or move the software to a new computer, you will need to activate your software again.

4. How do I activate my software?

Activation typically takes place following software installation. If your computer has an Internet connection, the MATLAB installer contacts the activation server to retrieve your License File and put it on your computer. The License File contains computer-specific information that is transmitted during the activation process. If your computer does not have Internet access, you can activate your software through the License Center.

For specific instructions, see the following:

• Activating an Individual or Group license immediately following installation (Solution 1-A3MVLG)
• Installing and Activating a License Manager on a Network License Server
  
  

5. How do I activate offline?

You activate software on a computer that is not connected to the Internet by using the License Center. On a computer with an Internet connection, you use the License Center to provide the necessary information for your activation type and either download or e-mail the License File for transfer to the computer where the software will run. For specific instructions, on activating software on a computer not connected to the Internet, see:
Activating MATLAB and Simulink Software without an Internet Connection 

If you do not have access to a computer with an Internet connection, contact Customer Support.

6. Can I still install my software on multiple computers?

Yes. During the activation process, you are asked to choose an activation type for your Individual or Group license. The Standlone Named User activation type lets you activate software on multiple computers for use by a single licensed end user. Choose this activation type to activate your software on multiple computers.

7. What impact does activation have on my FLEXnet server?

The process of activating Network Named User and Concurrent license options remains the same. These license options have always required the use of FLEXnet network license servers to manage software licenses from The MathWorks; you activate the license server by manually submitting the server host ID to The MathWorks and retrieving your License File through your MathWorks Account. The client machines that access the FLEXnet server do not require activation. For more information on activating and obtaining your server License File, see Solution 1-5VWC8W.

8. Who benefits from activation?

For The MathWorks, activation serves as a deterrent to unauthorized use of MathWorks products. Software piracy is a growing concern for software vendors, and activation is becoming a common licensing mechanism to reduce piracy.

For users, the requirement to activate software is complemented by the License Center. Together, activation and the License Center provide automated product tracking and more flexible software deployment. Organizations can leverage activation and the License Center to make it easier to stay in compliance with license agreements.

In addition, users who were previously required to use a hardware dongle no longer need one to use R2008a and subsequent releases.