A word on iLok behavior

[Chaim Goldman]

FYI:

Some of the products I own (which I use with DP) that use iLok are Altiverb, Auto tune and MOTU Ethno.

So I decided to see if I need to always leave the iLok inside.

Results:

Altiverb and Ethno look for the license when DP boots, there for you can then take out the iLok and the plug still functions.

Auto tune looks for the license every time you call up the plug-in. Once the plug-in is active the iLok can be released, but if you want to call up another instance, you need to put back the iLok.

[Nash]

First, what is the difference between iLok and Dongle?

[LEX]

A dongle is a device that has encrypted data that communcates with different aspects of the software.

Like hitting play, the dongle calls to the software and the software responds back to the saying everything is okay.
In the case of Steinberg, just about every function of the software is tied to the dongle.
So basically, if you are stopped, take out the dongle and just click in the window, it will make a call to the dongle to see if it is there.

Dongles eat up resources, at least with SB software, because there are so many calls made to the dongle. So the software isn't snappy an quick in function.
A PITA.

iLok - the license lives on the iLok key. When the application, such as a plugin, is load it checks the license, activates it and that is it.

iLok uses a 128 bit encryption key, which is why it is hard to crack. So no need to unnecessary dongle calls.
It checks, then it is done.

LEX

[Nash]

Originally Posted by LEX

A dongle is a device that has encrypted data that communcates with different aspects of the software.

Like hitting play, the dongle calls to the software and the software responds back to the saying everything is okay.
In the case of Steinberg, just about every function of the software is tied to the dongle.
So basically, if you are stopped, take out the dongle and just click in the window, it will make a call to the dongle to see if it is there.

Dongles eat up resources, at least with SB software, because there are so many calls made to the dongle. So the software isn't snappy an quick in function.
A PITA.

iLok - the license lives on the iLok key. When the application, such as a plugin, is load it checks the license, activates it and that is it.

iLok uses a 128 bit encryption key, which is why it is hard to crack. So no need to unnecessary dongle calls.
It checks, then it is done.

LEX

Interesting! Thanks Lex

[Mike Connelly]

Even though the implementation may be different from some other dongles, ilok is still a dongle.

[Chaim Goldman]

iLok is a dongle but it's one that can hold 100 licenses from 100 different companies.

The 'other' dongles (that individual companies make specifically for only their products - and are not called iLok) are designed only for those products.

So if you have let's say 10 of such (dongle based) plug ins from 10 different companies - from what I under stand - you will need 10 USB ports. (my self I don't have - yet - any of these)

Now question: for those who need many USB ports - how do you go about it?

[hemloc]

I've never had an issue with my iLoks(Well, the Pro Tools 7.3 release overload doesn't count!). I have a Syncrosoft dongle with my Korg Legacy Digital Collection that won't even let me download the license due to errors. And Korg tech support is non-existant, so I will never buy anything with a Syncrosoft dongle again, since they are pretty much useless. I don't understand why so many people are afraid of iLoks, when the benefits far outweigh challenge/response copy protection.

[drew]

Originally Posted by LEX

A dongle is a device that has encrypted data that communcates with different aspects of the software.

Like hitting play, the dongle calls to the software and the software responds back to the saying everything is okay.
In the case of Steinberg, just about every function of the software is tied to the dongle.
So basically, if you are stopped, take out the dongle and just click in the window, it will make a call to the dongle to see if it is there.

Dongles eat up resources, at least with SB software, because there are so many calls made to the dongle. So the software isn't snappy an quick in function.
A PITA.

LEX

I don't see this behavior at all with cubase 4 on winxp. Software is quite snappy and quick and very little resources being used at all by the dongle license software.

[LEX]

Originally Posted by drew

I don't see this behavior at all with cubase 4 on winxp. Software is quite snappy and quick and very little resources being used at all by the dongle license software.

When you run a large template you will.

Changing routing use to take .02 seconds. Now, discovered by Paul Woodlock, is taking over 3 seconds.

It is a dongle issue.
Syncosoft also has realtime and non realtime calls. When Cubase3 was released, they actaully coded the dongle calls with non realtime answers, so it wasn't until 3.1 when that was reversed back to real time, but it took over 6 months for that to be recoded.

Yes, iLok is a "Dongle", but it works much different then Syncosoft.
I would call it a license key.

LEX

[Ecliptic]

Dongle, Dongle, needle usble huble.