Products

Solutions

Resources

Partners

Community

Blog

About

QA

Ideas Test

New Community Website

Ordinarily, you'd be at the right spot, but we've recently launched a brand new community website... For the community, by the community.

Yay... Take Me to the Community!

Welcome to the DNN Community Forums, your preferred source of online community support for all things related to DNN.
In order to participate you must be a registered DNNizen

HomeHomeArchived Discus...Archived Discus...Developing Under Previous Versions of .NETDeveloping Under Previous Versions of .NETASP.Net 2.0ASP.Net 2.0Module License: where to put it? A question of Best Practice.Module License: where to put it? A question of Best Practice.
Previous
 
Next
New Post
8/26/2007 5:27 AM
 

Hi there

I have developed an encrypted license scheme for my modules that uses the Portal GUID so I can license them on a Portla by Portal basis.

My question is a simple one, where is the best/recommended place to get Portal Administrators to upload the license to? Of course, if I use the .lic file extension they'd have to have host permissions to upload the file, but since it's encrypted it could just as well be a .txt file. They could upload it to the portal root but maybe there is a better, more suitable place to save licenses already available that I haven't found out about, yet?

And while we are on the subject is there an easy way to specify the file path to the portal root (or the recommended location - it has to be portal specific so that license software for different portals using the same module can know where to find their license).

Now the Portal GUID is exposed, I can't be the only one trying this. So all thoughts would be much appreciated.

Kind regards

Geoffrey


Geoffrey Morton-Haworth www.yalaworld.net
 
New Post
10/5/2007 2:34 PM
 

Geoffrey,

My personal recommendation would be to build a "license management" control for your module and allow them to upload the file there.

This way you can store it in the /DesktopModules/YourModule/ folder.  I would make your files a.txt or .xml file (as that is common) then just rename it on upload to be 1.txt for portal 1, etc.

This way it is easy for the users and you can provide them detailed instructions at load time, and it makes it easy for you to manage.

That is at least my opinion.  As a developer and site admin I hate it when I have to manually FTP files, or use file manager to upload a file to a specific place just to get a module working!


-Mitchel Sellers
Microsoft MVP, ASPInsider, DNN MVP
CEO/Director of Development - IowaComputerGurus Inc.
LinkedIn Profile

Visit mitchelsellers.com for my mostly DNN Blog and support forum.

Visit IowaComputerGurus.com for free DNN Modules, DNN Performance Tips, DNN Consulting Quotes, and DNN Technical Support Services
 
New Post
10/5/2007 2:54 PM
 

GeoffreyMH wrote

Hi there

I have developed an encrypted license scheme for my modules that uses the Portal GUID so I can license them on a Portla by Portal basis.

My question is a simple one, where is the best/recommended place to get Portal Administrators to upload the license to? Of course, if I use the .lic file extension they'd have to have host permissions to upload the file, but since it's encrypted it could just as well be a .txt file. They could upload it to the portal root but maybe there is a better, more suitable place to save licenses already available that I haven't found out about, yet?

And while we are on the subject is there an easy way to specify the file path to the portal root (or the recommended location - it has to be portal specific so that license software for different portals using the same module can know where to find their license).

Now the Portal GUID is exposed, I can't be the only one trying this. So all thoughts would be much appreciated.

Kind regards

Geoffrey

I would suggest using more than just the portal guid.  It's nice to have the Portal and Host Guid, but you may want to consider using an additional value.

I have to agree with Mitchell on how you manage your license file.  A last resort would be for your customer to have to upload a file through FTP or file manager.  Let your module create the file.  I would suggest storing the file in the Portals/PortalId folder or in DesktopModules/MyModule directory.  There are advantages and disadvantages to both locations.  Also, I would suggest using a .config extension for your license.  If you use an extension such as .txt. or .xml then anyone will be able to download the license file. 

Personally, I prefer to keep all of our module files within our own module directory.  You could still manage your portal specific licenses.  Create a sub folder under your module directory and store each license file with the associated portalid.  We don't need third-party modules storing all over the DNN file structure.

Also, be prepared for increased support requests.  Module license protection is still very new to the DotNetNuke Community.

Will


Will Morgenweck
VP, Product Management
DotNetNuke Corp.
 
New Post
10/5/2007 3:01 PM
 

Will brings up a very valid point.  I would be sure to save the file as a .config or something of that nature that wouldn't be served by IIS.  Depending on your value you could even read the file and save it to the database....


-Mitchel Sellers
Microsoft MVP, ASPInsider, DNN MVP
CEO/Director of Development - IowaComputerGurus Inc.
LinkedIn Profile

Visit mitchelsellers.com for my mostly DNN Blog and support forum.

Visit IowaComputerGurus.com for free DNN Modules, DNN Performance Tips, DNN Consulting Quotes, and DNN Technical Support Services
 
New Post
10/5/2007 3:56 PM
 

Instead of .config use .resources. Even more cryptic! and still protected.


Do you know the truth when you hear it?
Néstor Sánchez
The Dúnadan Raptor -->Follow Me on Twitter Now!
 
Previous
 
Next
HomeHomeArchived Discus...Archived Discus...Developing Under Previous Versions of .NETDeveloping Under Previous Versions of .NETASP.Net 2.0ASP.Net 2.0Module License: where to put it? A question of Best Practice.Module License: where to put it? A question of Best Practice.


These Forums are dedicated to discussion of DNN Platform and Evoq Solutions.

For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines:

  1. No Advertising. This includes promotion of commercial and non-commercial products or services which are not directly related to DNN.
  2. No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or other customers to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
  3. Discussion or promotion of DNN Platform product releases under a different brand name are strictly prohibited.
  4. No Flaming or Trolling.
  5. No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
  6. Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.
  7. English language posting only, please.
What is Liquid Content?
Find Out
What is Liquid Content?
Find Out
What is Liquid Content?
Find Out