Question

How to confirm the version of BES Server based on License keys

Asked by: bisleyboy

Hello All,

I work for an outsourcing company and we seem to continually have problems where new clients come in an after time need new BES licenses for their devices.

The problems we have had on numerous occasions is that the wrong type of CALS are ordered (Small Business BES CALS over Enterprise CALS)

We are unable to return the CALS to the supplier after they have been purchased incorrectly so I was wondering if there is a tool that if we input the CAL it will say what type of BES Server this is for.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

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Asked On
2008-02-20 at 04:16:13ID23177284
Tags

Blackberry, Research in Motion

,

Blackberry Enterprise Server

Topics

Blackberry Operating System

,

Email Servers

Participating Experts
3
Points
250
Comments
18

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Answers

 

by: Kurt_BraeckmansPosted on 2008-02-20 at 05:08:48ID: 20937396

I had a similar problem, I asked RIM via a support case.  
Here the client had a support contract.

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-20 at 07:03:46ID: 20938434

Basically all CALs from this point on are going to be Enterprise CALs using the old terminology.  The reason for this is that the new Blackberry Profession actually uses an enterprise CALs (even the free 1 user edition).  Prior to ordering a CAL for a user you need to have the open Blackberry Manager and then go to License Management and it displays the exact version they are running.

If you have existing customers on Small Business Edition etc just run the BlackBerry Professional update over the top (free update) and you can just use one type of CAL.

 

by: bisleyboyPosted on 2008-02-20 at 07:54:26ID: 20938933

Hi guys thanks for the replies.

Kurt - Are RIM very anti-speaking to people if they dont have a support contract?
Gary - Do you have Blackberry/RIM guide on how this is done because this does look like the best way for us to make sure we always get the right CALs

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-20 at 09:42:27ID: 20940049

"If your organization already uses BlackBerry Enterprise Server  Small Business Edition v4.0 or above, please select a product link below to upgrade to BlackBerry Professional Software."

https://www.blackberry.com/Downloads/entry.do?code=3B2D8F129AE2F408F2153CD9CE663043

 

by: Kurt_BraeckmansPosted on 2008-02-20 at 23:20:36ID: 20945665

That I can't say, I always worked with clients who had support contracts.

 

by: bisleyboyPosted on 2008-02-20 at 23:34:57ID: 20945724

Cheers guys for the extra support

One question more though - what is the difference between Blackberry Professional Software and Blackberry Enterprise Server? PS sounds like its a cut down version and from what i understand from our clients they have Blackberry Enterprise Server Small Business (if that makes sense)

I do notice that from logging in you get the same interface on the SB and full versions

 

by: Kurt_BraeckmansPosted on 2008-02-21 at 00:20:14ID: 20945907

It's the same software, only the small business version is limited in licenses.

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-21 at 05:18:06ID: 20947369

BlackBerry Professional is limited to 30 users before requiring Enterprise unlock key
Blackberry Enterprise Server SBE is limited to 15users before requiring Enterprise unlock key
BlackBerry Enterprise Server is limited to 2000 users

Also have a look at this link below as it covers exactly how BlackBerry Professional differs from other versions.

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-21 at 05:20:02ID: 20947388

 

by: bisleyboyPosted on 2008-02-23 at 13:42:48ID: 20966894

Thanks Gary,

your post clears up a number of bits and pieces.

Do you know if there are any plans for the unified CAL to be applied anywhere else? Surely the CAL is generic and doesnt need to be linked to the type of BES that you are running.

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-23 at 17:32:11ID: 20967717

From this point on all CALs are going to be the same and the software you download on purchase will control the version (Professional or Enterprise).  In the past all BES software was the same and it was the first CAL that you entered that locked that BES to enterprise or SBE.

 

by: bisleyboyPosted on 2008-02-24 at 01:08:16ID: 20969277

Thanks Gary - all questions answered - points are yours!

 

by: stagetechPosted on 2008-02-28 at 02:10:32ID: 21002403

So i have a slight twist on this - installed a new download of Blackberry BES 4.1.4 and this has called it self Enterprise and i used the "free" CAL that came with the download. Now i have a 5 user CAL from my now dead BES that i want to use on this new install. But alas it tells me it is the wrong type. Now i guess ic ould just shell out for another 5 user CAL but as i already have this one - what can i do to make it work?

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-28 at 04:20:32ID: 21002960

Re: Stagetechs Messages
The reason why you are having this issue is because you used the full BES installer and not Blackberry Professional installer (Only Professional can take Enterprise and SBE CALs).

 

by: stagetechPosted on 2008-02-29 at 08:41:03ID: 21014905

I thought the MSI was same for all but it took the version from the licence key you put in when installing?

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-02-29 at 18:21:49ID: 21019534

The installer use to be the same but now the BlackBerry Professional installer is different.

 

by: stagetechPosted on 2008-03-04 at 00:12:30ID: 21039089

Thats dull. So i guess there is no way to resolve other than installing over the top? Or do i have to rip off and start again?

 

by: garycutriPosted on 2008-03-04 at 00:26:51ID: 21039129

You can install over the top but it would be best to do a clean install.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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