Issue:
This guide explains how to activate your PowerChute Network Shutdown (PCNS) license without an internet connection.

Cause:
The online method for activating the PCNS license is not feasible when there is no internet connection or when it is used in an air-gapped network. For assistance with activating a PCNS license online, see Schneider Electric FAQ000266913

Product Line:
PowerChute Network Shutdown version 4.5, 5.x

Environment:
PowerChute Network Shutdown configured for Hyperconverged systems.

Solution:
Step 1: Obtain License Key
Make sure you have your license (Activation ID) available. You should receive this via email upon purchase.

Step 2: Install/Deploy PCNS
If you haven't already, install/deploy the PCNS by following the PowerChute Network Shutdown - Installation Guide

Step 3: Launch the PCNS web GUI and navigate to License Activation page
Open your web browser and enter the PowerChute URL -  https://<IP_Address>:6547
Go to Configuration > PowerChute Setup.
Once the setup wizard has started, navigate to the PowerChute License setup page.

Step 4: Choose the option toActivate Offline.

Step 5: Enter the license's Activation ID.
This is in the format ACT-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXX.

Step 6: Enter the Quantity of licenses you want to activate.
Quantity equals number of virtualization nodes/hosts protected by PowerChute.

Step 7: Generate Request File
Select Generate Request to generate and download a request file called “request_[GUID].bin” in your downloads folder. Save the request file to a USB drive or other removable media and transfer it to a different device with internet access.

Step 8: Open Licensing Portal.
On a device with internet access, visit the Licensing Portal.
Log in with your Activation ID.

Step 9: Upload the Request File.
Navigate to Devices > Offline Device Management and upload the “request_[GUID].bin” file generated in step 7.

Step 10: Download the newly generated license “capabilityResponse.bin” file.
Save this file to a USB drive or other removable media and transfer it back to the device with access to the PowerChute GUI.

Step 11: Upload the generated license to PCNS
On PCNS GUI License Activation page, click Upload Response. Select the downloaded “capabilityResponse.bin” file using the file selector. If the license is successfully validated, PowerChute will display the license details.

NOTE: If the “capabilityResponse.bin” file is modified or the download was corrupt, the file will be invalid, and the
license cannot be activated. If an error message is displayed in the UI related to the capability response, follow the
above steps again to generate and download a new “capabilityResponse.bin” file.

See Schneider Electric FAQ000264494 if there's an error “Request is tampered, error code: ERROR:22; Non-XML input was encountered where XML input is expected.”

Released for:APC USA