> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vex-nx.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vex-nx.com/admin-guide/licence-editions-and-activation.md).

# Licence editions and activation

![Licence editions (keys redacted)](https://1807546539-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FhgHCHWL3861o2DBW53aA%2Fuploads%2F9n5ce54jwraklGKv7gIy%2Fve20261112v5-admin-licence.png?alt=media)

## Goal

Activate a signed commercial licence file and understand what each edition unlocks.

## Model

VEX-NX uses **offline** signed licence files. There is no phone-home licence server.

Two editions ship: **Student** and **Enterprise**.

* **Student** (wire id `community`) works without a commercial file (builtin limits), is free, and never expires
* **Enterprise** unlocks when a valid signed licence (and the commercial template pack on the appliance) are present

Never publish licence **private** signing keys or vendor issuer tooling in docs or tickets.

## Default edition limits (source profiles)

Exact limits ship in **your** signed file. Defaults used when issuing editions:

| Edition    | Concurrent labs | Nodes / lab | Users     | Assist LLM | MCP | Capture | Classroom | LDAP flag |
| ---------- | --------------- | ----------- | --------- | :--------: | :-: | :-----: | :-------: | :-------: |
| Student    | 5               | 100         | 1         |      Y     |  Y  |    Y    |     N     |     N     |
| Enterprise | Unlimited       | Unlimited   | Unlimited |      Y     |  Y  |    Y    |     Y     |     Y     |

Student includes the full core feature set: running-config import (**Generate Lab**), lab bundle import (**Migrate Lab**), packet capture, Assist LLM, the MCP agent API, and the **full template catalog** (all image templates). Enterprise adds classroom timers, LDAP/SSO/RADIUS, and removes the Student capacity caps.

**LDAP / SSO / RADIUS:** Enterprise unlocks Administration -> Security panels for LDAP, SAML/OIDC settings, and RADIUS. LDAP bind and RADIUS Access-Request authenticate against local mapped accounts. SAML/OIDC login endpoints return clear unavailable messages until IdP integration is completed.

## Retired editions

`Pro`, `Academic`, `Team`, and `Trial` no longer exist. If an old signed licence from one of those tiers is still installed, the import is refused, the licence status reports state `unsupported-edition` with a warning, and the appliance runs the **Student** profile. Request an **Enterprise** licence from your vendor to restore paid features.

## Recipe: activate

1. Administration -> **Licence**
2. Create an activation request if your vendor asks for one (appliance id is shown in the UI). There is no edition dropdown - Enterprise is the only requestable tier.
3. Upload the signed licence file you received
4. Confirm edition, expiry, and usage counters
5. Refresh **Images -> Catalog** - commercial templates appear when pack + licence match

## Expected result

* Edition name updates on Administration and in health/licence surfaces (Student or Enterprise)
* Feature chips match the table above for your edition
* Assist works on both editions, but only once OpenRouter is configured

## If it fails

| Symptom                                      | Fix                                                                                      |
| -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Invalid signature                            | Wrong file or wrong appliance; contact your vendor                                       |
| Licence tier retired (`unsupported-edition`) | Old Pro/Academic/Team/Trial file; appliance runs Student - request an Enterprise licence |
| Catalog still limited                        | Confirm commercial template pack is present on the appliance                             |
| Feature denied                               | Edition does not include it - see upgrade message in the UI                              |
| Clock / expiry errors                        | Admin recover-clock path if your build exposes it; else contact vendor                   |

## Related

* [Features](/getting-started/features.md)
* Users, roles, and quotas
* Assist LLM settings


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