About KeyServer
- What is the KeyServer?
- Does the KeyServer interfere with the use of my computer?
- What happens if the network is down?
- What happens if all of the licenses are in use?
- How do I access the KeyServer?
- How much does access to the KeyServer cost?
- How can I contact the KeyServer office?
- How do I connect to the Keyserver from
a Mac OS9?
- How
do I connect to the Keyserver from a Mac OSX?
- How do I connect to the Keyserver from
a PC?
What's New
- The
KeyServer IP address has changed. Make sure that you are connecting
to "keysrv01.calpoly.edu", this will avoid any connection problems.
- KeyServer services are now available in all Cal Poly "smart
rooms" enabled with DHCP.
- There is now no cost for Cal Poly faculty and staff to access
the KeyServer. Students are not allowed to access the KeyServer.
What is the KeyServer?
The KeyServer
program is Cal Poly's solution to licensing restrictions imposed
by copyright law. With the software publisher's permission it is
possible for Cal Poly to distribute unlimited copies of a piece
of software as long as we ensure that the number of licenses in
use never exceeds the number of licenses we purchased. This
drastically reduces the cost of acquiring new software. Cal Poly
only buys enough licenses to cover the number of users that may
want to use the software at the same time. The KeyServer
program keeps track of how many licenses have been purchased and
how many are in use. It will never allow the number of licenses
in use to exceed the number purchased.
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Does the KeyServer interfere with the use of my computer?
All of
the concurrent licensing issues are handled behind the scenes without
disrupting with the user. Whenever the user launches a keyed application,
a brief amount of information is automatically exchanged with the
KeyServer and then the application runs as normal.
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What happens if the network is down?
In the
unlikely event that the campus network is unavailable, the KeyServer
administrator developed a network of KeyShadows strategically placed
on the different subnets around campus. The KeyShadows mimic the
KeyServer allowing users to continue to access their applications.
If the network problems are more severe and prevent your computer
from connecting to any network at all, there are other workarounds
available that will be handled on a case by case basis.
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What happens if all of the licenses are in use?
If all
the licenses for a particular piece of software are in use then
the user must wait until a license becomes available. However, the
KeyServer administrator carefully monitors how much each application
is used and will purchase more licenses long before there is danger
of user license denials.
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How do I access the KeyServer?
To access the KeyServer, you only need KeyAccess. It is a small program that
is installed to your "Extensions" folder. It runs automatically
whenever you turn on your computer. KeyAccess does not require a log in. KeyAccess is
available on the
KeyServer home page.
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How much does access to the KeyServer cost?
There
is no cost to Cal Poly faculty and staff for accessing the KeyServer.
Students are not allowed to access the KeyServer.
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How do I contact the KeyServer office?
The KeyServer administrator can be reached at:
Phone: 756-7300
Email: keyserver@calpoly.edu | 
