Unlike License Key that encodes the Key ID, Program ID, and Key
Properties, Activation Key is simply an ID number of the activation account in
the Activation Server database. When receiving the activation request, the
Activation Server checks against the database if the received Activation Key is
a valid account. If it is, the Activation Server processes the received
Registration ID and generates the License Key on-demand to be returned to the
application.
The format of Activation Key is by default a 20-digit hexadecimal
number (e.g. 3CB9-EE94-FA7B-49F4-5D62). However, you can customize the format
of Activation Key in any way you want. As mentioned earlier, Activation Key is
an ID number in the database. You can easily modify the provided source code of
the Activation Server and the database to support your own format of Activation
Key.
An advantage of the license activation method is that you can
pre-generate the Activation Key. Using the license registration method, you
cannot pre-generate the License Key. You must receive the Registration ID
before you can generate the License Key to be returned to the user. The
pre-generated Activation Key allows you more ways to distribute and license the
application. For example, you can pre-generate Activation Keys in bulk, and
print them as labels for software package distribution such as CD and DVD. You
can also provide bulk Activation Keys to partners or affiliates that can help
you to sell your software.
The demo version of the Activation Manager is available online for
tests at the following URL:
https://demo.eleckey.net/activationmanager.aspx
User Name: Administrator
Password: Administrator