Deploying Software with Unique Keys

[pvr02]

We are in the process of getting our first SCCM server in place and running. We have our typical software packages created and ready to go. However, I am wondering how everyone manages software that requires unique keys.

 

Specifically something like Adobe Acrobat Pro, PhotoShop, SnagIT, etc... We only have a few copies of this software and each one has it's own individual keys.

 

Thanks in advance

[Peter33]

The easiest way would be to create a SQL database with only one table and 2 fields. One holding the license key and the other one the workstation name. Then create a script wrapper for your installation, which searchs in you your database for a free license.

 

1 - Look up for client name in the database and if found use the corresponding license.

- If the client name was not found look for next free license (workstation=Null)

- Block the license by writing the client name to the workstion field.

 

2 - pass the license key property to the installation command SERIALNUMBER=xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx

[SCCMentor]

Any chance you can post some sample code to explain the process?

[Peter33]

No Problem. Here is a short powershell script which checks an SQL database for the License and performs the installation if a free key was found.

 

#################################################

# Define SQL Login Credentials and Connection Details here

$Server = "SQLSERVER"

$Database = "DATABASE"

$Username = "USERNAME"

$Password = "PASSWORD"

$Connect = New-Object System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection("Data Source=$Server; Initial Catalog=$Database; User Id=$Username; Password=$Password;")

$Connect.Open()

$Hostname = $Env:COMPUTERNAME.toUpper()

$ExitCode = 0

# Let's see if we can connect to the Database

if($Connect.State -eq "open"){

# Great. Now let's check if the Hostname has a License assigned already

$cmd = $Connect.CreateCommand()

$cmd.CommandText = "SELECT License From Licenses1 Where Client='$Hostname'"

$Result = $cmd.ExecuteReader()

If($Result.Read()){

Write-Host "Hostname Found In Database. Using Assigned License."

$License = $Result.GetValue(0)

$Result.Close()

}

Else {

$Result.Close()

# No Problem. Maybe we can find a free License.

Write-Host "Hostname Not Found In Database. Checking For Free Licenses."

$cmd.CommandText = "SELECT TOP 1 License From Licenses1 Where Client Is NULL"

$Result = $cmd.ExecuteReader()

If($Result.Read()){

Write-Host "Using Free License From Database."

$License = $Result.GetValue(0)

$Result.Close()

#Whoop Dee Doo. We got a free License. Let's block and use it.

$cmd.CommandText = "UPDATE Licenses1 SET Client='$Hostname' Where License='$License'"

$retcode = $cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()

If($retcode -eq 1){

Write-Host "Assigned License to Host."

}

Else {

# What the heck just happened here!

Write-Host "Failed To Write Changes To Database"

}

}

Else {

$Result.Close()

# Shit happens. Let's buy some more Licenses and try again.

Write-Host "Error: No Free Licenses in Database."

$ExitCode = 2279 # Your Own Error Code Here

[Environment]::Exit($ExitCode)

}

}

$installParameters = "/i MSINAME.msi TRANSFORMS=MSTNAME.mst REBOOT=ReallySuppress SERIALNUMBER=$License /norestart /qn"

$Connect.Close()

$ExitCode = (Start-Process -FilePath "msiexec.exe" -ArgumentList $installParameters -Wait -Passthru).ExitCode

If ( $ExitCode -eq 3010 ) { $ExitCode = 0 }

If ( $ExitCode -eq 0 ) {

Write-Host "Success: Finished Installation with Return Code 0"

}

Else {

Write-Host "Error: Aborted Installation with Return Code $ExitCode"

}

}

Else {

# Must be Patch Day or something like that

Write-Host "No Connection To SQL-Server"

$ExitCode = 2277 # Your Own Error Code Here

}

Write-Host ".... I'm done. Let's exit now."

[Environment]::Exit($ExitCode)

[SCCMentor]

Works a treat thanks for sharing.