Performing advanced batch activation

About the advanced batch activation process

The advanced batch activation process allows you to activate entitlements on multiple machines by loading an XML file containing all of the activation data, including:

• The machines to activate
• The products and quantities to activate

When you perform an advanced batch activation, you can either validate the data provided, or execute the activation using the data.

Starting the process

From the Machine Dashboard

1. On the Activation menu, click Machine Dashboard.
2. On the Machine Dashboard, on the page toolbar, click Batch process options.
3. In the dropdown menu, click Advanced Batch Activation.

   The Configure page of the Advanced Batch Activation process displays.

From the activation search

1. On the Activation menu, click Activate.
2. On the Search Entitlements to Activate page, click Advanced Batch Activation.

   The Configure page of the Advanced Batch Activation process displays.

Selecting the registered company for the activation

If you can only activate entitlements for your own company, then the Company name field does not display. The registered company is automatically set to your company.

If you can only activate entitlements for a selected list of companies, then that list is placed in the Company name combo box. From the combo box, select the registered company for this activation.

If you are able to search for the registered company, then:

1. In the Company name field, provide the name of the registered company for this activation.

   Either type the name into the field, or use the find icon to search for and select the company.

   You can also provide a partial company name. For example, instead of typing "Acme Manufacturing, Inc.", you can just type "Acme%".

2. If you type the company name, you need to check that the selected company:
   • Exists in the system
   • Is a company you are authorized to activate entitlements for

   To validate the company, click Validate. The field changes to a combo box containing the list of available companies.

3. From the combo box, select the registered company for this activation.

Selecting the group for the activation

When you click Validate, the Group dropdown displays the available groups for the activation.

From the dropdown, select the group you want to include in the transaction. This field is required.

Uploading the file containing the activation details

Selecting the file format

Activation details files may use different formats. The format used may vary depending on the tool used to generate it.

From the File format dropdown, select the format used for the file.

Uploading the file

To upload the file:

1. In the File field, provide the full path to and name of the file. Click Browse to search for and select the file.
2. After selecting the file, click Load to upload the file.

Setting the rules for processing the activation

Batch job name	In the Batch job name field, type the name to use for the job. This also is used as the pub ID for the event that is raised.
Process mode	The process mode indicates whether to only validate the information provided or execute the process. To only validate the data, and not perform the actual activation, click the Validate only radio button. To execute the process, click the Execute radio button.
Entitlement selection	From the Entitlement selection dropdown, select whether to include non-permanent entitlements (entitlements with an expiration date or duration) in the activation. Note that you cannot use this process to activate evaluation entitlements. To only include permanent entitlements, select Permanent only. To include both permanent and non-permanent entitlements, select All.
Error handling	From the Error handling dropdown, select the method for handling errors when the activation is validated or executed. To record the error, and then continue the process, select Record and continue. To stop the process when the first error is found, select Stop on error.
Result output	When executing the activation, from the Result output dropdown, select how to send certificates and keys. The available values are: None To not send any certificate information, select None. Email only To only send the email message, and not attach any key .zip files, select Email only. Email and certificates To send the email message, with PDFs of the machine certificates, but not the keys, select Email and certificates. Email and zip file To send the email message with key .zip files attached, but not include PDFs of the machine certificates, select Email and zip file. Email, zip file, and certificates To send the email message with key .zip files attached, and include PDFs of the machine certificates, select Email, zip file, and certificates.

Setting the rules for sending notifications

Email result output to	Displays when executing the activation if Result output is not None. In the Email result output to field, type the email addresses that should receive the certificate information. The information is sent based on the option selected from the Result output dropdown. Use commas to separate multiple email addresses. The certificate information also is sent to your email address.
Email reports to	In the Email reports to field, type the email addresses that should receive a summary report of the validation or execution. Use commas to separate multiple addresses.
Language	From the Language dropdown, select the language to use for the email messages.
Comments	Displays when executing the activation if Result output is not None. In the Comments field, type any additional comments to include in the results email.

Confirming and completing the activation

After setting up the details for the activation, click Next.

On the Confirm page, if required, check the check box to accept the terms and conditions.

You can also add notes for the activation. When you execute the activation, the notes are stored with the transaction records for each entitlement and machine.

The Confirm page also includes information about when the advanced batch activation will be completed if you submit the request immediately. The information includes:

• The number of batch activation processes in the queue ahead of your request
• The estimated amount of time before your request would begin processing
• The estimated amount of time your request would take to process once it starts

Click Finish to start the process.