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Process overview

You must follow these steps to obtain license keys for your TS2900 / TS3100 / TS3200 machine:

  1. Select TS series LTO machine to enter information about your machine. You will need the following information to perform this activity:
    • Machine type
    • Machine serial number
    • Machine worldwide node name
  2. If functions are currently present on your machine, the license key for each function is displayed.
  3. If you received a license key certificate from IBM or an authorized BM Business Partner, you must assign the authorization code (printed on the license key certificate) to your machine using DSFA. Once you have assigned the authorization code to your machine, DSFA will generate and display the license key for that new function.

When you complete your activities for the selected machine and want to work with a different machine, return to the Select TS series LTO Machine page and enter the information for the next machine.

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Finding your machine type, serial number, and worldwide node name

Machine type: The machine type:

  • Is a four character value.
  • Contains only numbers.

You can find your machine type on the label affixed to the front bezel of your machine. The machine type is the first four characters of the “M/T”.

Machine serial number: The serial number:

  • Is either a seven character value (without a hyphen) or an eight character value (with a hyphen).
  • Contains only alphanumeric characters (excluding the hyphen).
  • Cannot contain the letters I, J, O, Q, S, or U.

You can find your serial number on the label affixed to the front bezel of your machine.

Worldwide node name: The worldwide node name (WWNN):

  • Is a 16 character value.
  • Contains only numbers and the letters A, B, C, D, E and F.

You can find your worldwide node name in the following locations:

  • Operator control panel:
    • Select Monitor -> Library -> Identity.
    • Scroll down the list to locate the worldwide node name.
  • Web user interface:
    • Log into the web user interface.
    • The worldwide node name is displayed in the “Library Identity” table on the first screen.

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Using your license key certificate and authorization code

When you acquire a new function for your machine, you may receive a license key certificate from IBM or an authorized IBM Business Partner.

An authorization code is printed on the license key certificate. To obtain a license key for the new function, you must first assign the authorization code to your machine. You perform this action using DSFA.

When you use DSFA to assign an authorization code to your machine:

  • The function it represents will be associated to your machine in the DSFA database.
  • DSFA will generate and display the license key for the function.

An authorization code can be assigned to only one machine. Once it has been assigned, it cannot be removed, reassigned, or transferred to a different machine.

You need to perform the assignment only once per authorization code. The assignment information is permanently stored in DSFA database.

An authorization code:

  • Is a 19 character value (including hyphens).
  • Contains only numbers, hyphens, and the letters A, B, C, D, E and F.
  • Can be entered with or without hyphens.

Note: If you have a license key certificate, you will not be able to retrieve your license key for the function until you assign the authorization code to your machine using DSFA.

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Viewing functions and license keys

Functions become associated to your machine in the following ways:

  • Manual assignment of an authorization code (printed on the license key certification) to your machine using DSFA. See the previous section for additional information.
  • Automatic assignment by DSFA using manufacturing shipment information. When functions are automatically assigned to your machine, you will receive a licensed function authorization document from IBM or an authorized IBM Business Partner. This document does not display an authorization code since the order information for the function was provided directly to DSFA using manufacturing shipment information.

If functions are present on your machine, the following information is displayed for each function:

  • Feature code.
  • Function description.
  • Authorization code (if the function was added to the machine using an authorization code).
  • License key.

If no functions are present on your machine, a message will be displayed indicating such.

The license key for each function is displayed. You must apply the license key to your machine to technically activate the function.

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Applying license keys

You must apply the license key to your machine to technically activate the function.

Path failover: Use the machine’s web user interface to apply the license key to your machine:

  • Log into the web user interface.
  • Select Configure Library on the left navigation tree.
  • Select Path Failover.
  • Enter your path failover license key.
  • Select the Activation button.

Transparent LTO encryption: Use the machine’s web user interface to apply the license key to your machine:

  • Log into the web user interface.
  • Select Configure Library on the left navigation tree.
  • Select Encryption.
  • Enter your transparent LTO encryption license key.
  • Select the Activation button.

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Reference materials

TS2900, TS3100, and TS3200 publications are available from:

If you have questions regarding the TS2900 / TS3100 / TS3200 functions, contact your tape marketing specialist.

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DSFA support

If you encounter a problem while using the DSFA application that prevents the retrieval of your license keys:

  • Contact IBM Customer Support.
  • Open a "service request" against your TS series LTO machine type and serial number.
  • Indicate you are having a problem with the DSFA application.

If you encounter a problem while installing your license keys onto your machine:

  • Contact IBM Customer Support.
  • Open a "service request" against your TS series LTO machine type and serial number.
  • Indicate you are having a problem installing your license keys onto your machine.

Select the Electronic Service Call link (shown under Related Links) for information on contacting IBM Customer Support.

Select the IBM System Storage Support Feedback link (shown under Related Links) to report non-urgent DSFA application problems. This link can also be used to submit questions, comments, and suggestions about the DSFA application.

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