Software license enforcement mechanism for an emulated computing environment
First Claim
1. A method for licensing software in an emulated computing environment, the emulated computing environment comprising one or more emulated computer systems being supported by a host computer system, the method comprising:
- providing a limited number of software licenses to be consumed by unlicensed software in the emulated computer systems;
identifying the presence of an unlicensed software program in an emulated computer system by an emulated peripheral device that communicates with a key server of the host computer;
determining at the key server in the host computer system whether an unconsumed software license exists for the unlicensed software in the emulated computer system;
granting a license to the unlicensed software program in the emulated computer system if it is determined that an unconsumed software license does exist; and
disabling the operation of the unlicensed software program in the emulated computer system if it is determined that an unconsumed software license does not exist.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an emulated computing environment, a method is provided for licensing software of one or more guest computer systems. A license key server is provided in the host computer system for monitoring the initiation of unlicensed software, including operating system software, in the guest computer system. A determination is made by the license key server as to whether additional a license is available for each unlicensed software application. If a license is available, a license is granted and the count of available licenses is decremented. If a license is not available, a license is not granted and the unlicensed software application in the guest computer system is disabled.
65 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for licensing software in an emulated computing environment, the emulated computing environment comprising one or more emulated computer systems being supported by a host computer system, the method comprising:
-
providing a limited number of software licenses to be consumed by unlicensed software in the emulated computer systems; identifying the presence of an unlicensed software program in an emulated computer system by an emulated peripheral device that communicates with a key server of the host computer; determining at the key server in the host computer system whether an unconsumed software license exists for the unlicensed software in the emulated computer system; granting a license to the unlicensed software program in the emulated computer system if it is determined that an unconsumed software license does exist; and disabling the operation of the unlicensed software program in the emulated computer system if it is determined that an unconsumed software license does not exist. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for licensing software in an emulated computing environment that includes at least one emulated computer system, the at least one emulated computer system having software associated therewith, the method comprising:
-
identifying an emulated computer system, the emulated computer system comprising an emulated peripheral device that initiates a request for a license; if an unconsumed license exists for the software associated with the emulated computer system, granting the license to the software; and if the unconsumed license does not exist for the software associated with the emulated computer system, disabling the operation of the software. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method for licensing software in an emulated computing environment, the emulated computing environment comprising at least one virtual machine being supported by a host computer system, wherein each virtual machine includes operating system software, the method comprising:
-
providing a limited number of software licenses to be consumed by operating system software associated with the virtual machines; identifying a virtual machine having unlicensed operating system software, the virtual machine comprising an emulated peripheral device that initiates a request for a license; determining in the host computer system whether an unconsumed software license exists for the operating system software of the virtual machine; granting a license to the operating system software of the virtual machine if it is determined that an unconsumed software license does exist; and disabling the operation of the operating system software of the virtual machine if it is determined that an unconsumed software license does not exist. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
Specification