Find the host ID

Default host ID values for Windows.

The term host ID is a generic term that specifies the computer hard disk drive serial number or Ethernet address (network ID). A single key cannot contain multiple values for a host ID.

Find the host ID on a Windows computer

With IBM Rational Common Licensing (powered by FLEXlm software), the default host ID value on Windows computers is the serial number of the boot drive.
Note: On Windows, the boot drive must be the C:\ drive for DISK_SERIAL_NUM.
In this case, the host ID field is: DISK_SERIAL_NUM=nnnnnnn. Example: DISK_SERIAL_NUM=12345678.

To get the host name, host ID, or Ethernet address of a Windows computer, click License Keys > Host Data in the License Key Administrator (LKAD) menu.

Remember: If IBM Rational® software is not installed on the license server or client, the Rational License Key Center provides a tool to help you find this information.

Accommodate frequent host ID changes

Registering the host ID of the startup hard disk drive might not be possible if you have dual boot systems, if you frequently reformat your disks, or if you ghost your hard disk images. These processes change the host ID of the startup drive. Because the products and license keys are registered to a specific host ID, you cannot use your IBM Rational products if the host ID changes.

To avoid this situation, use one of the following methods:
  • Use floating licenses that are served by a license server with a constant host ID.
  • Make sure that you keep the hard disk drive serial number of the boot drive constant when images are created to refresh the computer.