This section contains basic terms and abbreviations used in Key Administrator.

Activation Code: A string-based alphanumeric license code that can be used to activate the software - currently available for Plesk and Sitebuilder. The server with the software must be able to connect to Key Administrator (port 443) for the activation.

Auto-Update: Key Administrator and compatible products support auto-update of license files. A key file issued by KA will have an expiration date and update date. The period between these two dates is usually 10 days. Once the update date is passed, the product will automatically connect to KA and request an update of the license. If the license is in good standing, KA will update the license and return a new key file with a new expiration date.

Bound IP. Each production license can be bound to a specific IP address, for example to allow easy installation (automatic deployment of the license based on the target server’s IP address).

Client. A Client is a user in the Key Administrator, who is able to purchase/manage and own (license) Keys.

Feature: A Feature is an additional set of properties for a Key. A feature can be related to a certain Key.

Instance URL. An Instance URL is an URL where a web application of a certain customer is located. Some licenses can be bound to a specific application URL.

Key: In the context of KA a Key (license) is a right to possess and use certain products/services; it is characterized by a number of properties, features and values.

Key file: A file with (encrypted) code that will be installed on the product to allow the product to work and will allow/disallow certain Features/Limitations. The Key files created by KA are based on the values of the Key in KA.

License Date: Every Key file issued by Key Administrator has an expiration date. When the expiration date of the installed key has passed, then the license will be considered as expired by the product and it will stop working. Therefore, all permanent licenses from KA have Auto-Update and an Update Date. In KA the actual date when the last issued Key file version will expire is stored and shown in GUI and API.

Master Key. A special Key used for automatic creation of regular Keys based on a template (Master) Key. The functionality of Master Keys has been replaced by the Partner API.

Partner API: XML-RPC based API to provision and manage licenses in the Key Administrator. The API is available to customers who have been granted access to KA, but requires a login/password different from the GUI access.

Pricelist. Pricelist is a collection of Keytypes, Features and Upgrade Plans, each with a set price; each Client is linked with a single Pricelist. Clients and Resellers can only use Keytypes and Upgrade Plan available in their Pricelists.

Product Code: See Activation Code.

Reseller: Reseller is a user in Key Administrator who is able to create/manage Clients, Operators, subresellers, and purchase (license) Keys for his/her Clients.

SUS: SUS stands for Software Upgrade Service. Active SUS on a Key allows to upgrade this Key to the next major version for free.

SUS Expiration Date: The date when SUS expires. Most Plesk products have 1 year of initial SUS by default.

Update Date: Next scheduled update date for license auto-update.

Upgrade Plan: An Upgrade plan is a conversion rule that allows upgrading a Key’s product version, for example, from Plesk 7.5 Reloaded to Plesk 8.0; or upgrading individual Features of that Key, for example, from 100 Domains to Unlimited Domains.