> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xloud.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cluster License

> License your deployed cloud cluster with hardware-bound activation keys

The Cluster License activates your deployed cloud infrastructure. It collects hardware fingerprints from all nodes, generates encrypted license requests, and distributes signed licenses across the cluster.

<Note>
  **Prerequisites**

  * Cloud infrastructure deployed and operational via [Operations](/deployment/operations)
  * All cluster nodes accessible via SSH from the management node
  * Access to [license.xloud.tech](https://license.xloud.tech) for license file submission
</Note>

<Warning>
  This licenses the **cloud cluster itself** — the deployed infrastructure running your workloads. To license the XDeploy management tool, use [XDeploy Key](/deployment/xdeploy-key) instead.
</Warning>

***

## License Dashboard

The License Dashboard presents two panels: an overview of the current license state and a per-node status table.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="License Overview" icon="shield-check" color="#197560">
    Four summary indicators at the top of the dashboard:

    | Indicator          | Values                                 |
    | ------------------ | -------------------------------------- |
    | **License Status** | Active, Expired, or None               |
    | **Days Remaining** | Countdown to license expiration        |
    | **Licensed Nodes** | Number of nodes covered by the license |
    | **License Type**   | Trial or Enterprise                    |

    Below the indicators, a details section displays the customer name, issue and expiry dates, and enabled features. Use the **Verify** button to re-validate license integrity against the current hardware state.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cluster Nodes" icon="server" color="#197560">
    A per-node table showing which hosts in the cluster have the license installed and verified. Each row displays:

    | Column                | Description                                                  |
    | --------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | **Hostname**          | The node's configured hostname                               |
    | **IP Address**        | Management network IP                                        |
    | **License Installed** | Whether the signed license file is present on this node      |
    | **Verified**          | Whether the license passes integrity validation on this node |
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  The **Verify** button performs a live integrity check. It re-reads the hardware fingerprint and compares it against the signed license. If hardware has changed (e.g., a node was replaced), the verification will fail and a new license request is required.
</Info>

***

## Activation Process

<Steps titleSize="h3">
  <Step title="Request License" icon="download">
    Click **Request License** to open the license generation modal. The tool scans all cluster nodes over SSH and collects hardware fingerprints including server UUID and Machine ID.

    A preview displays before generating the request:

    | Field           | Description                                 |
    | --------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
    | **Total Nodes** | Number of hosts discovered in the cluster   |
    | **CPU Sockets** | Total physical CPU sockets across all nodes |
    | **Total Cores** | Aggregate CPU core count across the cluster |

    The tool generates an encrypted `.xlic` request file. Download this file to your local machine.

    <Tip>
      The `.xlic` request file contains only hardware fingerprints — no sensitive data such as passwords, IP addresses, or configuration details are included.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit Request" icon="upload">
    Upload the `.xlic` request file to [license.xloud.tech](https://license.xloud.tech). After validation, you receive a signed license file in return.

    <Info>
      License processing is typically immediate for existing customers with active support agreements. New customers may require manual approval.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload License" icon="file-text">
    Return to the Cluster License page in XDeploy. Drag and drop the signed `.xlic` file into the upload area. The tool validates the digital signature and confirms the license details before installation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Activate All Nodes" icon="circle-check">
    Click **Activate** to distribute the license to all Dashboard nodes via automation. The tool connects to each node over SSH, installs the license file, and verifies integrity.

    <Check>
      License installed and verified on all cluster nodes. The cluster is fully activated.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## License Features

The license controls which features are available in the Xloud Dashboard and enforces node count limits. Without a valid license, the cloud infrastructure runs with restricted functionality.

| Aspect                 | Licensed                             | Unlicensed                  |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------ | --------------------------- |
| **Node Count**         | Up to the licensed maximum           | Limited to evaluation count |
| **Dashboard Features** | All enabled features accessible      | Core features only          |
| **Support Access**     | Full support based on agreement tier | Community support only      |
| **Updates**            | Access to platform updates           | Updates restricted          |

<Warning>
  An expired license does not shut down running workloads, but it prevents new deployments, configuration changes, and Dashboard access to premium features. Renew before expiration to avoid operational disruptions.
</Warning>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Verification fails after hardware replacement" icon="alert-triangle">
    **Cause**: The hardware fingerprint of the replacement node does not match the original fingerprint in the signed license.

    **Resolution**: Generate a new license request that includes the updated hardware fingerprint. Upload the new request to [license.xloud.tech](https://license.xloud.tech) and install the new signed license file.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="License upload rejected with signature error" icon="alert-triangle">
    **Cause**: The `.xlic` file was corrupted during download or transfer, or the file was modified after signing.

    **Resolution**: Re-download the signed license file from the license portal. Ensure no text editors or transfer tools modify the file content (binary-safe transfer required). Upload the file again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Activation fails on specific nodes" icon="alert-triangle">
    **Cause**: SSH connectivity issues between the management node and the target node, or insufficient permissions on the target node.

    **Resolution**: Verify SSH connectivity from the management node to the failing node. Confirm that the deployment user has write access to the license directory. Check the [Hosts](/deployment/hosts) configuration for SSH credential issues.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="XDeploy Key" icon="fingerprint" href="/deployment/xdeploy-key" color="#197560">
    Activate the XDeploy management platform with a hardware-bound license
  </Card>

  <Card title="Management" icon="users" href="/deployment/management" color="#197560">
    Create users, projects, and quotas for your activated cluster
  </Card>
</CardGroup>