topic License activation message in Spark Firewall (SMB)

License activation message

firebird — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 03:29:06 GMT

Hi have a CP1490 that I updated the firmware to r77.20.87 Build 163 (private build). Today when I logged in and on the notification it stated License Activated. New expiration date is set to Jan 18, 2038.

the appliance was already activated and registered and looking at the license tab nothing really changed. All my blades until I swap the devices are expired except for Firewall, advanced routing, identity and IPSEC VPN which those never expire.

curious to know if anyone seen this before and again it was after 3 days the device was up after the firmware update.

Re: License activation message

Chris_Atkinson — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 10:30:10 GMT

Ahh the 2038 problem... Epochalypse

These series devices are EOL so license expiry for any non perpetual blades would have lapsed last month.

Best case April 2025 validity if you had an extension approved.

Re: License activation message

firebird — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:26:43 GMT

Understood on EOL but device should remain to function as Firewall, routing, IPsec and identity are set to never expire. Plus as I understand the 2038 Unix issues has been resolved via firmware updates anything beyond the r77.20.15 these devices are on 77.20.87. Interesting that it gave the message on the license? My blades expired last year.

I will worry about 2038 when we get there as I use these devices for basic usage now I.e switching.

Re: License activation message

G_W_Albrecht — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 08:57:06 GMT

SMB devices have a lifetime between 5 - 10 years, and as the 1490 entered the market in April 2016 it could even work until 2028 or even more. But it will not reach 2038 in working condition anyway...

Re: License activation message

firebird — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 09:05:58 GMT

I did not post on longevity of the device. My post was very specific on a notification that only appeared after installing B163 and reverting to B160 message disappears. Furthermore a license set to never means never. I get the Unix bug but why appear now vs. Prior releases of the firmware?

so if anyone in the community is still using these devices for whatever purpose and install B163, curious to know if they get the same notification message. It does appear wether the device is on the internet or not which leads me to believe and we know it’s cosmetic but why appear now?

Re: License activation message

G_W_Albrecht — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:48:59 GMT

You wrote: I did not post on longevity of the device.

But you wrote: I will worry about 2038 when we get there as I use these devices for basic usage now I.e switching.

Re: License activation message

firebird — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:46:58 GMT

If you are going to take snippets on remarks look a the whole thread. It was a response to Chris commentary that did not answer my original inquiry.

I reached out to this community for support as am sure am not the only one that will continue to use these devices. In short I was able to source another cp1490 and applied the firmware that caused the notification to appear and did so even when the device was not on the internet. Therefor this leads to be a firmware change in builds between B161-163. Reverting to B160 message no longer appears. This further proves it’s not a backend check from CP. CP does check for contract license and getting contract expired is normal. All in all, something they fixed between B161-163 triggered this bug or simply surfaced this message that may have existed on previous builds but was suppressed?

if anyone is interested to see if they get it as well, glad to provide the build as it does fix security issues and SFWD crashes. maybe something with my environment?

Re: License activation message

G_W_Albrecht — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:46:42 GMT

Honestly - this is not impoortant at all ! You have to excuse me, i am working as a CCSP and daily communicate with customers that really have issues 😉

Re: License activation message

firebird — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:50:28 GMT

Never stated the importance but seeked if others experienced the same. After all this is what these forums are build for, it’s called community support. Perhaps you may help a customer with this issue. Now you have more knowledge base.

stay safe my friend!