Hello,

One of my client has a Pervasive 8.6 db server that came with NDC Lytec 2005 client/server software. I am helping them to migrate this to a new hardware, and could not find any articles or white papers on doing this.

We tried installing the Pervasive V8.6 server multiple times on a new box along with NDC lytec client/server, and even move some production data. It worked for a while, and suddenly started complaining about expired licenses. Since, we had tried multiple times to get this right, it appears that it has some how saved the license info (or lack of, as it was not provided couple of times), and shows that 4 instances of licnese keys was used and they are expired. It does not allow it to be removed or deleted.

Now my question is:

1) Where does Pervasive v8.6 store licensing info? As even after uninstalling and reinstalling multiple times, cleaning registry, files, everything, it still remembers the old instances on the machine. The only option I have left is to reinstall a fresh version of the OS (W2k03 Server), and then follow the process correctly.

2) Is there a better way of cleaning up all the old data and install fresh copy and enter the correct key and get the db working before migrating production data?

or 

3) Is there any better way of migrating the pervasive server, db, and the application on to a new hardware without the licensing issue coming in the way?

Thanks,

Sunny

 Let me try to answer your questions:

1. Pervasive stores the license information in a proprietary format.It is not documented where it is stored and I doubt it ever will be documented.  Temporary keys cannot be removed but permanent key can be removed.

2. You do not need to reinstall the Pervasive engine to apply a new license key.  You can just install the new key and the engine will pick it up.  If you're talking about migrating to a new server, then you should just install Pervasive on the new server and apply the permanent license. You can then copy the data from the old server to the new server, set up any database names and you should be good.

3. I believe you can install the PSQL engine on the new server, install the permanent license, move the data, and then decommission the old server.
 

Hi Mirtheil,

Thanks for your quick response. So, it looks like we may not be entering the correct license info from the old server to the new server. My client doesn't remember of entering a license info as the pervasive server came with Lytec application.

Can one find out the actual license key from the production system using license administrator ?

If not, is there any way they can get the key to use it on the new system?

This will solve the issue of migrating it to new hardware.

Thanks,

Sunny

I'm not sure how Lytec does it but the standard PSQL product has the license key on the box and on the paper license provided. 

You might be able to get the license key from the License administrator. My PSQL install is acting up right now so I can't try it.

Hello,

I am still trying to help my client recover their license key for pervasive SQL 8.6 from either a program or file on the production machine.

Any ideas on how this could be done?

If we call Pervasive, will they help in recovering the license, if the pervasive product was bought from a 3rd party ISV  as a bundled package software?

Thanks,

Sunny

You should check with the ISV how this license was provided. If this is an OEM license it is possible that their registering module is failing on the new OS although it is obviously doing something since normal Pervasive demo licenses cannot be stacked (so the license administrator would not be able to show four of them).