Erez or other members:

I have a Z100G at my house and am delighted.
I want to buy one for my church because it's a great unit and ALSO because of the web filtering features.

Of course the church will need the 10 node upgrade to support 15 users.

My question ... if the limit is exceeded and then one computer goes off-line how long is it before another unit can pick up the licensed access node?

I am running an experiment here at home and it seems to be a long time .... ... ok its been longer that 15 minutes since I turned of #6 computer and still no give back...

If someone from ZA is listening ... for product suggestions --- could we make the "give back" of the license quicker?

How about a "burst mode" that would temporarily allow say 6 users on the 5 user license and maybe 18 on the 15 user license ... to accommodate "transition" periods?

I am running the current version firmware 7.0.48x.

Thanks,
Jim

PS:
I have noticed that for whatever reason that when a wireless PC disconnects that the router picks this up much quicker.

For wired connections the NAME goes away under the node fairly quickly, but the license is not released even after 30 minutes or so....

One way to fix this might be to set the DHCP lease duration time to a very short interval, but I can't find where this can be tweaked in the Z100G .... can the lease duration be set?

Thanks,
Jim

An inactive computer is removed after about 60 minutes.

The SofaWare Team

Thank you for the reply - that is what I had read in the FAQ section as well, but with my Z100G the node licenses for wired connections are not being released even after 3 hours of being off-line.

I have run several tests to confirm this; what could be causing the behavior?

Thanks,
Jim

In case this is happening to anyone else:

I have opened up a formal support ticket with Sofaware and their team confirms (and has been able to recreate) the issue.

It has been escalated to the QA department...

Maybe there will be a V7.0.49x firmware out soon... I hope............

Thanks,
Jim

I have noted that devices on the network can pick up a license and their regular activity keeps it even though they are not a computer.

I have an ethernet connected hard drive that wants to updates its time at regular intervals. To keep it from permanently taking a license, I had to make it a network object and then make a rule to block that object from the Internet.

It would be nice to have a feature that allows you to check a box in the devices network object that automatically blocks it from the Internet. Or maybe prevents it from getting a license. Might be good for security when an computer is known to be infected with a BOT to be able to prevent it from communicating with a single click. Another click to prevent an object from getting a DHCP address in case that is needed.

Yes that would be nice!

Two enhancements I'd like to see is:

1) if all licenses are taken and a new device attempts to access the internet have the Z100G give it a license by taking the existing license away from the box that has been "quiet" the longest.

2) if the Z100G does block a device from access due to license count being exhausted and the device is attempting an http/web access hav the Z100G return an information page that SAYS there are no licenses -- currently the internet just "doesn't work" leaving the average user to think that either their computer has a problem or that "the internet" is down...

Jim

On some of the posts I've read, it was mentioned that one day it might be possible to exclude certain devices on the network so it wouldn't consume node licenses.

When I purchased the Z100G I played it safe and bought it with the 15 node limit. However, with Multiple printers in the home, I dont' want them to consume my node licenses.

With the release of 7.5.41x is this yet available?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jaydub,

JayDub & all:

With current release firmware 7.5.4x I have found that my direct network attached printer does NOT consume a license. I did nothing special but have heard that it may be necessary to keep the "gateway" IP address of the printer blank in order to keep the printer from sucking up a license.

IN OTHER NEWS: I have an open support ticket with Sofaware regarding the improper release of licenses, and have just been told to expect a new version of firmware in the coming week that will address this issue - so look for good news there.

QUESTION: I just bought the 10-node upgrade for one of my Z100Gs... they took my money but did not explain how I would get the upgrade. Does it happen automatically - like the firmware upgrades once it has been put into the system?

thanks,
Jim

Well it looks like version 7.5.45x was just released, but I can't find any details on what the update contains.

It does not appear to have fixed the node license issue........

Jim

Hey JimW,

When I purchased the upgrade it happened to be during the holiday time-frame and on a weekend. Some days went by so I contacted their "Live" support feature online and a helpful support person assisted in getting me upgraded. I know it will take a few days after they 'take your money' as you described. :) I think they process the funds and put you in some queue. Not sure, but I think I recalled that it may take a few days before you get your upgrade information. Looking at when you sent the post, if you still haven't received the node license increase, I'd contact them.

Jaydub

quote:

Originally posted by JimW:
Well it looks like version 7.5.45x was just released, but I can't find any details on what the update contains.

It does not appear to have fixed the node license issue........

Jim

Jim,

Someone (Admin) with Sofaware posted that 7.5.45 was a bug fix release: http://sofaware.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1231038134/m/4541023554

Thanks Jaydub

I finally got a upgrade key to boost me to 15 licenses - it woulda been nice if they'd told me how this would work eh? ;-)

On the 7.5.45x - I have an open support ticket for SofaWare to fix the "slow release of node licenses" issue which I would consider a bug, but can't find out wether that bug was addressed in 7.5.45x or not... It would be nice if Sofaware published a tad more detail ;-)

Thanks!
Jim

Just a comment - the V7.5.48x (or maybe even the 7.5.45x) version seems to be MUCH better at releasing unused node licenses. In earlier versions inactive nodes retained their licenses for over 90 minutes (1.5 hours). The new firmware seems to be dropping inactive node licenses somewhere in the 15 - 30 minute timeframe.

Thanks Sofaware!
Jim