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Software Piracy Security Solution- FAQ

What is Hardware lock?
Hardware lock devices or "dongles" are hardware modules that connect to your computer and communicate with software running on the computer. After executing of software protected with hardware lock on the computer, software search for the hardware lock on the computer I/O port's. If the hardware lock is attached to computer I/O port's then it gives access to the protected software. The most common type of hardware lock device attaches to the printer port and provides a "pass-through" port to connect a printer cable. Hardware lock devices usually incorporate some kind of algorithmic encryption in their on-board micro-electronic circuitry; in some models of hardware locks these encryption algorithms can be very advanced.
 
What are other means for Software Security?
There are also some other means for Software Security such as..
1. KEYDISK
During execution a protected software demands insertion of special Key disk in specified drive, failing which the software execution halts.Disadvantages
1. Some advanced Copydisk programs can duplicate Key Disk
2. A floppy is not a reliable media over a period of time and is also subject tocorruption.
3. Back-up copies of the original software cannot be made.

2. SOFTWARE LOCK
1. Software locks are cheaper in the beginning, but the operational and tracking costs over a period of time, along with cost of the utilities andlibraries you pay over a volume, makes it more costlier than a hardwarelock solution.
2. Software manufacturing and distribution gets slowed by the very nature ofthe exchange of keys.
3. Software based locks considerably inflates the size of your application, andmay increase the loading time.
4. Software locks generally rely on identification of PC's peripherals like Hard disk volume number, network card address, CPU ID etc., which makes the software non-portable.
 
How does the Sentry Hardware Lock protect your application?
When a protected application is run on a system, it will search the computer's I/O ports for a Sentry hardware lock. If the Sentry hardware lock is attached it will communicate to the software. If the Sentry hardware lock is not attached is to computer's I/O port, the software application would receive a specific error. It is primarily up to the developer to determine what sort of action to take when this error occurs (ie. Software won't run, software runs in a limited mode).
 
What operating systems does Sentry Hardware locks support?
We currently support DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME and Windows NT.
 
Which languages does Sentry Hardware locks support?
Sentry Hardware lock currently support the following languages...
WIN32 bit
WIN16 bit
DOS16 bit
DOS32 bit
VC++ VC++ C C
VB VB C++  
VFP VFP Basic  
DELPHI DELPHI CLIPPER  
PB PB FOXPRO  
 
If the Sentry hardware lock is attached into the parallel port, will it be transparent with other parallel port devices?
Yes, The Sentry Hardware lock usually sits beside all standard parallel port communication, and will only be activated when a specific call to the key is made. Sentry Hardware lock is transparent all kind of parallel port devices such as printers, Zip drives, Scanners etc..
 
How can Sentry Hardware lock can be implement in the network?
The Sentry Hardware Lock system offers Software copy protection to Standalone PC's and in networks. Sentry Hardware lock supply different versions of lock for Standalone and networks. Sentry Hardware lock supports the following Network Environment...
1. Network Environment (TCP/IP) based..

Sentry can be used under Windows NT/2000/95/98/ME Network as per following scheme.On a given Windows based network, Sentry is to be fitted on one of the network node and the other nodes can access the lock by means of the protocol DLLs and server provided.The node on which the Sentry is installed acts as a server by executing the server program. This server program announces the presence of Sentry Lock to all the nodes, thereby allowing the nodes on the network to access the lock.The other nodes communicate with the Lock server by means of a functions provided in DLL/LIB, and execute the suitable action.The communication executed in this process is primarily based on Windows Sockets 1.1 and is compatible with Windows Sockets 2.0.It must have the TCP/IP installed on every node as the basic back-bone.
2. Network Environment ( Under Novell NetWare Client & Socket based)

- Sentry Hardware lock is supported on Novell Netware under the Netware Loadable module scheme.

- The NLM (MULTIX.NLM) to be loaded on server monitors the incoming request and validates them if the Server's printer port is fitted with the Hardware Lock of required identity.

- The NLM incorporates multithread concepts and can process any numbers of request Apart from controlling the execution of protected software.

- The NLM also controls, number of users allowed to use the protected software.

- The number of user is controlled by a variable stored in non- volatile memory in the lock and can be modified by developer by using lanuserm..exe utility.

- The NLM , at the time of loading, gets automatically configured to the number of users assigned in the lock.

- The win 32 Client is provided with a API, in the form of DLL which communicates, with the server, and makes the required transactions over IPX/SPX protocols.

- The Client needs to be either Novel Netware Client 32(for 95/98//ME/2000) or a standard Microsoft Client for Novell Netware.

- Both the approach needs the Windows Sockets protocols (1.0 onwards) to be installed on the workstation.

- The separate DLLs are provided, which developer can choose while installing.

Software Piracy Security Solution- Support

1. On certain PCs Sentry locks do not get recognised.
Explanation :
The hardware design of Sentry hardware locks is compliant to IEEE-1284 standards, however in some occasions, the PCs on which the lock is to be fitted may not conform to IEEE 1284 standards

Resolution :
Confirm this by trying to check the lock (protected application) on different PCs. Also run lock diagnostic program suitable for the operating system and if the error reported by the program is "Lock not installed" refer following.

Sometimes, this problem may get solved by changing the printer port settings in the BIOS SET UP. There is a possibility that just by changing the printer port type to EPP, ECP, SPP from the currently selected type, problem may get sorted out. We further suggest to try with every setting of printer port(ECP, EPP, SPP, Bi-directional... depending of the list available in BIOS setup)

This problem can also be overcome by fitting another printer port card.
Platform : DOS/DOS Extendor/ Windows 3.XX, Win 95/98/NT/2000
Satus : Under Observations
 
2. Sentry is not accessed when a print job is fired on Win 95/98(win 32 application)
Explanation :
Under Win32 systems, Vxd supplied with Sentry hardware lock will not acquire the printer port, if in use by some other process.
Resolution :
Use a new release of multitasking VxD, released in Nov 1999.
Platform : DOS/DOS Extendor/ Windows 3.XX, Win 95/98/NT/2000
Satus : OK
 
3. MSDOS based 16bit applications protected with Sentry do not work on Windows NT 4.0.
Explanation :
Win NT do not allows direct access to any system resources like IO ports, unless it is routed through valid NT system driver.
Resolution :
Microsoft acknowledged this problem, especially related to parallel port devices like hardware lock and corrected NTVDM in Service Pack 3. Upgrade Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3 or better.
Platform : DOS, Win NT/2000
 
4. Sentry is not getting detected when a printer is attached and is switched off.
Explanation :
Some printer draw excessive power from the parallel port, in their power-off condition, this leads to lowering the voltage level below 2.0 volts, by which sentry fails to operate. Some PC's printer port do not provide pull-up resistors to driver signals, which also leads to above condition.
Resolution :
In such cases, it is recommended that the printer to be kept Power-ON while lock access is made.
Platform : DOS/DOS Extendor/ Windows 3.XX, Win 95/98/NT/2000
 
5. Cannot install Sentry.sys under Win NT/2000.
Explanation :
Under Win NT, system drivers are to be installed by user having administrative rights. The install program supplied installs Sentry.sys to the system. However the user who run this program needs to have Administrative Rights, failing to have so fails the installation of Sentry.sys.
Resolution :
In such case log in as a user who has Administrative Rights and invoke install program again. Make sure that you have sentry.sys in the current working directory.
Platform : Win NT/2000
Satus : OK
6. Under Windows 95, whenever a 16 bit application protected by Sentry Hardware lock runs, it gives device conflict window.
Explanation :
Whenever you run the protected application, you access the printer port, which otherwise, is acquired by windows print spooler or similar process. In such event access from 16 bit application is treated as "intruder" and user is asked to resolve the device conflict.
Resolution :
In most cases, this message appears only once, after you boot the PC, and if you select MD-DOS prompt in the device conflict dialog box, it will not appear again. This problem also can be countered by changing setting of VPD.VXD or by setting the print operation to "directly to port" instead of "spool"
Platform : Win 95/98
Satus : OK
 
7. How to check Sentry.sys is installed and running under Win NT/ 2000.
For WIn NT"Start menu->Settings-> Control Panel->Devices-> Sentry"For Win 20000"Start menu->Programs->Administrative tools->Computer management->System tools->System information->Software environment->drivers->Sentry".
Platform : Win NT/2000
Satus : OK