Overview

The backup server requires a valid license to operate. Agents do not require a license — they are managed by the server.

• Validation: Checked at startup and every 24 hours
• Expired license: Blocks new backups, but restore operations continue to work

Contact vishnu@xmigrate.cloud or your vendor to obtain a license file.

Editions

For the MSP feature boundary, see MSP Edition.

Installing a License

Method 1: Default Location (Recommended)

sudo cp license.json /var/lib/backup/repo/license.json
sudo systemctl restart backup-server

Method 2: Custom Path via CLI Flag

Edit the systemd service file:

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/backup-server.service

ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/xreplicator server \
  --listen 0.0.0.0:50051 \
  --repo /var/lib/backup/repo \
  --license /etc/xreplicator/license.json

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl restart backup-server

Method 3: Environment Variable

export LICENSE_FILE="/etc/xreplicator/license.json"
sudo systemctl restart backup-server

Priority Order

1. --license CLI flag (highest)
2. LICENSE_FILE environment variable
3. <repo>/license.json (default location)

License File Format

License files are JSON:

{
  "data": "base64-encoded-json-payload",
  "signature": "base64-encoded-rsa-signature"
}

VM Count Limits

The license enforces a maximum number of connected agents. When the limit is reached, new agent registrations are rejected with:

license limit exceeded: X/Y agents connected

Disconnect unused agents or contact your vendor to upgrade the license.

Checking License Status

sudo journalctl -u backup-server -f

Look for messages like:

# Valid
License validated: <org> (expires: <date>, VMs: <count>)

# Expired
WARN: License expired on <date>

Troubleshooting

License file not found

Ensure the license file exists at the expected path, or use the --license flag to specify its location.

License hostname mismatch

The license must be generated for the exact server hostname. Verify with:

hostname

License expired

Generate a new license with a future expiry date.

License limit exceeded

The maximum agent count has been reached. Disconnect unused agents or upgrade the license.