Serial number, licence and controller information
Serial number, licence and controller informationEvery controller has a serial number and a licence number. Both look alike and are often confused. This page explains what they are used for, how to tell them apart and what to note when backing up and restoring the licence.
Statements that were derived from the software and not tested on the device are marked as such.
| Serial number | Licence number | |
| Purpose | Identifier of the controller at the uni-PRO server. Used for the VPN link, for support requests and as sender identification in the controller's mails. | Binds the licence to the hardware of the controller. Shows whether the licence matches this controller. |
| Appearance | 39 characters, eight groups of four digits and lowercase letters, separated by hyphens. | Same appearance, but different content. |
| Where to read it | Studio: menu Control - Control information, row Serial number. | Studio: menu Control - License information. The field License number is green if the licence is valid and red if it does not match the controller. |
| Storage medium of the controller is replaced | Belongs to the storage medium and moves with it when it is put into another controller. | Stays with the hardware. On another controller the licence is invalid. |
Important: The serial number is always needed for the VPN link, never the licence number. Pay attention to the label of the row. Do not confuse it with the row Serial number IO board (short number) either: it identifies the circuit board, not the controller.
Two controllers with the same serial number (for example through a storage medium copied 1:1) are to be avoided. How the VPN service behaves in that case is not documented.
The dialog Control information (Studio: menu Control, APP: main menu) shows the most important details of the connected controller, for example type, runtime version, image version, licence number, serial number, IP address, uptime, VPN server, VPN IP address, MAC, operating system, project, memory and system partition. A symbol copies all details to the clipboard, which is handy for support requests. The VPN IP address is empty as long as the controller is not connected via VPN.
If the licence does not match the controller (for example after copying the storage medium to another controller or after replacing the controller), the controller runs in demo mode:
The licence can be backed up on the uni-PRO server and later restored to the controller. This is necessary if the storage medium of the controller is rewritten (see Controller R02) or the licence has been lost.
Connect the Studio to the controller, open menu Control - License information and select the cloud symbol. The Studio needs an internet connection for this. The menu offers three entries:
| Entry | Effect |
| Back up license | Stores the licence of the controller on the server. A valid licence is required. |
| Restore license | Fetches the backed-up licence from the server and writes it to the controller. The current licence on the controller is overwritten and the controller restarts. This also works with an invalid licence. Afterwards the Studio asks: Should the VPN link also be restored? |
| Restore VPN access | Fetches the VPN access data from the server and sets it on the controller. The existing VPN link remains valid because the same serial number is used. Requires a runtime from version 2.3085. |
Side effect: After restoring the VPN access, the VPN access of the controller is switched on. If the controller is to be operated with VPN switched off, switch it off again afterwards. If there is no backed-up licence, the Studio reports this; please contact uni-PRO in that case.
Tip: Back up the licence before you rewrite the storage medium or replace the controller. Before replacing the controller itself, please ask uni-PRO whether and how the licence can be transferred to the new hardware.
See also: VPN, Restore backup, Legal Notice.