Integrated SecureCRT + SecureFX portable? How?

[eleavings]

For years I've used SecureCRT in portable form by using a SecureCRT.lic file in conjunction with a .bat launcher on Windows. This worked fine through 6.x and has always worked on 7.x as well.

I recently upgraded to the combined SecureCRT + SecureFX. I noticed that the install directory changed names to "Clients" from just SecureCRT. Makes sense given the FX integration.

So I created a new SecureCRT.lic and also a SecureFX.lic and dropped them in the dir hoping that would work. No such luck.

Is there a way, even un-officially, to make these combined SCRT+SFX portable as I have in the past with SecureCRT alone?

If not maybe consider adding such (even if unsupported officially) in the future.

[bgagnon]

Hello eleavings,

While I have not heard from any customers *specifically* using both apps on a USB drive, it sounds like you made all the correct adjustments that should allow it to work.

So I created a new SecureCRT.lic and also a SecureFX.lic and dropped them in the dir hoping that would work. No such luck.

What were the results?

Did you get an error? (If so, what was it?)

I have added this thread to a feature request in our product enhancement database for a version to run in PortableApps environment (USB stick). Should a future release of SecureCRT include this feature, notification will be posted here.

If you prefer direct email notification, contact support@vandyke.com and include "Feature Request - Forum Thread #11752" in the subject line.

[eleavings]

No error. Both SecureCRT.exe and SecureFX.exe just ignore the .lic files and present the standard "trial" acknowledgement screen.

At that point I can put in my license info for each in turn. But then the license ends up in the registry which is exactly what I'm trying to avoid.

At any rate, it would be very useful to have an official portable build or support for the two integrated that can use the .lic files.

If I figure out a way to make it work without writing to registry I will post.

[bgagnon]

Hello eleavings,

I understand you have an email thread with my colleague, Todd. So I will wait to hear the outcome of that, then you or I can update this thread.

[rtb]

Hi All,

It turns out that this issue was due to license data that was not valid. This was not a mistake on eleavings part, and has since been resolved.

It is expected that SecureCRT, SecureFX or SecureCRT and SecureFX combined can be used from a USB drive (in this case, a mounted encrypted volume). The tip for accomplishing this is at the following location:

http://www.vandyke.com/support/tips/usbdrive.html

If you are using SecureCRT 7.2 or newer, the configuration folder should contain the host key database, and the shortcut to launch SecureCRT or SecureFX should not need to use the /F command-line option.

[eleavings]

A big BIG thank you to Todd for putting up with me and getting this resolved. And thanks to for Misty with the assist. Great customer service!

One note:
I had been using the same format for my SecureCRT.lic file since 2012. And it still worked with my old key and the new set up. But the identical format with a new key no longer worked. I think this was just VanDyke being careful to allow old versions but deprecating for new license keys.

So what I mean is, this old format used to work:
Name=<Name>
Company=<Company Name or "None">
Serial Number=<Serial Number>
License Key=<Key>
Issue Date=<Issue Date in MM-DD-YYYY format>
Features=Maintenance Expiration=<expiration in MM-DD-YYYY format>

And with an old key still worked.

But for newer keys, the format must be like Todd has pointed to at:
http://www.vandyke.com/support/tips/usbdrive.html
i.e.
Name=<name from registration letter>
Company=<company name from registration letter>
Serial Number=03-xx-xxxxxx
Key=nnnnnn nnnnnn nnnnnn nnnnnn nnnnnn nnnnnn nnnnnn nnnnnn
Issue Date=nn-nn-nnnn
Features=<features from registration letter>

I think my old format was very old indeed.

Thanks again to Todd and Misty for the help.

Eleavings

[avonnieda]

Hi all,

I'm trying to do the same thing as the original poster, and am having trouble with SecureFX seeing my license file. I've tried both of the following formats in my SecureFX.lic file .. Can you tell me if I'm missing something? The SecureFX file is in the Config directory which is referenced by the global option. SecureCRT says it's licensed, but it was licensed before I created the portable version, so I'm not sure if it's seeing the SecureCRT.lic or not.

Thanks,

-Adam

[rtb]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the post. We have a tip that outlines exactly how to run SecureCRT from a USB drive at the following location:

https://www.vandyke.com/support/tips/usbdrive.html

Does this help to resolve the issue?

[avonnieda]

Hi Todd, thanks for the reply!

That's what I was following. It's running just fine as portable, it's just the license file that it doesn't seem to be picking up. Can I email you my license files so you can take a look?

Thanks,

-Adam

[rtb]

Hi Adam,

You are welcome to send me an email. Send it to support@vandyke.com with a subject of Attn: Todd - Forum Thread #11752.

[avonnieda]

Will do Todd, thanks man, you guys are the best support on the web.

-Adam vonNieda

[avonnieda]

FYI, my problem turned out to be that I had my license files in my "Config" directory rather than the "Clients" directory.

Big thanks to Todd for helping me out!

-Adam

[rtb]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the update. You are very welcome. I am glad to hear that this issue is resolved. Enjoy the holidays.

One clarifying point for those reading this and the tip in the future, the license file needs to be placed in the same folder as the executable.