What is FactoryTalk Activation?

Copy Protection (aka Activation) is one of those topics that always seems to elicit a visceral response. It’s the old, “I paid for this software but the copy protection is preventing me from using it!” mantra.

However, it’s widely accepted that without copy protection, software piracy would run wild. And while I’ve run into my own “copy protection” frustrations over the years, I’ve also witnessed piracy dozens (if not hundreds) of times in the industrial automation world.

So what is FactoryTalk Activation?

Enter FactoryTalk Activation (FTActivation) from Rockwell Automation. Simply put, it’s copy protection for Rockwell Automation’s modern  software packages. FTActivation replaces the old Floppy Disk activation (EVRSI.sys) which was inherited from ICOM after they were purchased in the mid-nineties.

I often compare FactoryTalk Activation to Microsoft’s activation for Office or Windows. The big difference being Microsoft doesn’t tell you which hardware it’s activating to, while FactoryTalk activation actually makes you chose a unique piece of computer hardware (referred to as a “Host ID”) to activate the software to.

With FTActivation the three types of hardware you can activate to are:

1. A PC Ethernet card (internal or removable) identified by it’s unique MAC ADDRESS
2. A PC Harddrive (internal or external) identified by it’s unique SERIAL NUMBER
3. A Rockwell USB Dongle (now also includes flash memory, PN# 9509-USBDONG2, $137) identified by it’s unique ID

Note: I did not list a USB Flash Drive. They can’t be used as a “Host ID” since they don’t have unique serial numbers like hard drives.

FTActivation is also like Microsoft Office or Windows in that it can be “Activated” either by using the internet (easiest) or by making a free phone call to the companies activation support line. However, with FTActivation you can also “Activate” your Rockwell software through their free online chat system, as well as through email and fax.

To activate your software, you’ll need a couple of pieces of information. First off, you’ll need your “product key” and “serial number” from the “Red Envelope” which came with your Rockwell software. If you’ve lost it fear not, just call or chat with Rockwell Activation Tech Support and they’ll send you a copy.

You’ll also need to know the unique “Host ID” of the computer you want to activate the software to. The FactoryTalk Activation Manager (formerly the FactoryTalk Activation Tool) which comes with Rockwell software that uses FTActivation has a wizard to help you find this, but if your handy with PC’s you’ll already know how to find your MAC ADDRESS or Hard Drive serial number.

Note: Be careful when choosing an Ethernet card for activation. Some versions of Windows will disable your wired Ethernet card when it’s not connected, and some PC’s are setup to disable your Wireless Ethernet card when you connect to a wired network. And if your Ethernet card is your “Host ID” but it’s not enabled, your software won’t activate and run. So if your PC is setup that way you may wish to chose your hard drive serial number, an external device, or the Rockwell activation dongle as your FTActivation “Host ID.”

Once you’ve rounded up the required information and have chosen a “Host ID,” you can run through the FactoryTalk Acitvation “get activations” wizard to get activations for you PC. And if at any time your confused or frustrated don’t hesitate to call or chat with Rockwell’s free activation support team – I’ve called them dozens of times from client sites and they always quickly and efficiently help clients through the activation process.

Once you’ve completed the activation process you will receive an “.LIC” text file which needs to reside in the folder the FactoryTalk Manager software is currently set to monitor. With the Text file in the right place and your “Host ID” present and enabled, the FactoryTalk Activation Manager activates your software and you’re ready to go.

In the case that you’ve activated your software to an external device (like a USB to Ethernet converter’s MAC ADDRESS, an external hard drive’s SERIAL NUMER, or the Rockwell Activation Dongle) you can copy your “.LIC” file to every PC you’ve installed the software on. Then when you plug your external device into one of your PC’s the FTActivation Manager on that PC will find it, compare it with the information in the “.LIC” file, and if they match it will activate your software for as long as that device is plugged in.

Well, I hope the above information on what FactoryTalk Activation is was helpful. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to use the “post a comment or question” link below.

Until next time, Peace ✌️ 

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Shawn M Tierney
Technology Enthusiast & Content Creator

Eliminate commercials and gain access to my weekly full length hands-on, news, and Q&A sessions by becoming a member at The Automation Blog or on YouTube. You'll also find all of my affordable PLC, HMI, and SCADA courses at TheAutomationSchool.com.

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Shawn Tierney

I'm a lifelong Technology Enthusiast who started programing in the early 80's on the new Apple II and VIC-20 personal computers. After earning a degree in Electronics, I worked as a Certified Automation Specialist for 25 years before leaving to focus on teaching at The Automation School, as well as publishing industry news and product how-to’s at The Automation Blog.

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