I came across here via a google search, so please keep the pitchforks and torches to a minimum if I'm asking the wrong things.

If someone can point me in the right direction, I'd appreciate it.

I would like to software emulate a dongle? I do have the actual dongle too.

I believe it's a M--x USB dongle.

Target is "Corl rawings" not to be confused with a more popular known product from the same company.


We (basically) net boot pc's connected to embroidery machines. The operators are not too technically savvy, but once in a while some of them need to make adjustments so we want a floating license (so to speak) without the fear of the one dongle being lost/stolen/destroyed.

This is just a one off thing. I have never touched ASM, much less a uP/PIC programmer. So I don't think I'd persue getting into the whole scene of it all.

I just figured I'd ask to see if there was/is a straight forward solution.
Feel free to PM if you like as well.

Thanks!

If I understand you correctly, you already have a legal copy and a legal license of the program, but you wish to extend its usability to several people on a network of PC's.

You also have not ASM experience and do not want to get your feet wet in the process, which is understandable, because it entails a rather steep learning curve, and a lot of effort just to solve ONE problem.

I also think I know what app you are talking about, and the demo version, more or less freely available on the net is probably not the same you have installed on your system(s).

I see at least two options in your situation:

1)Talk to the company, explain your situation, and perhaps they could be more flexible in the license requirements given the fact you are already a customer.

2) Consider finding a for hire RCE expert and provide him/her (to be inclusive) with your version of the software, perhaps with the dongle or a dongle dump.
Sounds to me a rather risky enterprise and would put your business in legal dire straits.

3) Or I got your problem utterly wrong, and did not read between the lines what you really need/want

If Safesoft were still in business that would be who to talk to, I agree with naides, I think your software vendor would be more than willing to negotiate with you regarding your needs, if you are lucky the charge would be minimal.

SiGiNT

You are really close...

We basically want to "Float" the license between machines.
eg Can only use the application on one machine at a time.

We do this now with other software - and it's worked for us.
As it is now, this requires moving the dongle between machines.

We would rather lock the dongle up in a file cabinet,
and just have a software solution instead.

Replacement dongles are $1200 USD.
They don't offer a corporate license option for this product.
I already have a call into the project manager as well.


You mentioned dumping the dongle...
Could this be done via USB port + software, or would that require cracking open the case on it and connecting directly to the uC/PIC/eeprom?

Dongles are just a PITA! (couldn't resist)

Why not just hook the dongle up to a terminal server, and have your clients connect to that machine via Remote Desktop? This is certainly less illegal than what it sounds like you are proposing.

Disavowed's response reminded me of another possibility. I haven't gotten to dongles yet in my journeys, so I don't know if the protection schemes pick up on this kind of thing or not. Several years ago, I used to have a program that would let you share a COM port across the network so that someone could, for example, use a modem on another computer as if it were locally connected to their computer. Only one person could access it at a time, but in this case, that would be exactly what you want. I know I've seen a program around somewhere that does this with USB ports, but I don't remember where or what it was called (sorry).

You'd have to ask some more knowledgeable people here about whether or not the protectors will notice the redirection somehow. But if that works, you could attach the dongle physically to a workstation that was in a physically secure location, and then just have people connect to the USB port across the network to get access to the dongle whenever they need it. You probably couldn't have multiple concurrent connections (or could configure it that way via the USB redirector software), so you'd still be more or less in compliance with the licensing agreement should anyone decide to be a hardass about it.

Tell about brand your dongle pls.

TBone suggestion is very interesting...

You could try for example AVUSBD from www.intellidriver.com and tell us if your dongle works from a remote machine... Unfortunately I have no dongles to play with...

Regards, bilbo