When/how does Unity 3.1(5) verify the USB dongle?

[fgirard]

We need to replace the hardware of a 3.1(5) Unity server, with minimal down time. So we want to install Unity 3.1(5) and do a DIRT restore on a new server while the existing server remains in production.

I've seen in various messaged that you can remove the USB key without any problem as long as it's back on the production server at midnight (that's when Unity verifies the dongle). Is this 100% true? We tested this on the production server last night and Unity started to react funny.

Are there known caveats?

TIA,

Francis

[kechambe]

Lets forget the dongle for a minute...

You can't do a DiRT restore while the existing server is online. Before you do the DiRT restore you need to shutdown the existing server. Otherwise the Directory data will get totally hosed since the servers will both try to control the same objects.

You can install the new Unity 3.1(5) server up to the point of DiRTing it without a dongle. In fact DiRT doesn't even require the dongle to be in place since it goes around the licensing code. So what you want to do is shutdown the existing server, remove the dongle, put it on the new server and THEN run the DiRT restore.

Again do not attempt to run a DiRT restore while the existing server is still online as it will cause major problems and you will be forced to reinstall again.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,

Keith

[fgirard]

Thanks Keith,

Note that this is a stand alone server - Unity, AD and Exchange on the same box; so we should be able to do the DiRT restore on the server (not connected to the network).

So, if I understand correctly, I can do a DiRT restore even if the dongle is not installed? Is this correct? I would then shutdown the existing server, transfer the dongle and then start the new server (connected to the network).

TIA,

Francis

[kechambe]

Yeah you can do the DiRT restore without the dongle connected and then move it over once it has completed.

Thanks,

Keith