Update on Citrix License Server Compliance Reporting
Citrix has some new requirements around your on prem deployment, which needs to be implemented to ensure that you do not void your Citrix support.
In mid-October 2022, Cloud Software Group made the changes regarding license telemetry to ensure customers are meeting compliance requirements. These requirements are taking effect from the 31st of March 2023.
What Customers Need to Do
Customers are required to update to the latest version of the Citrix License Server by March 31, 2023, and continue regular updates of license server software within six months of new license server releases. Deploying the new license server is straightforward and designed to not impact production or non-production systems. These releases are compatible with LTSR or CR deployments. The latest version is available for download here.
This release enables automatic license telemetry reporting to Citrix. For Citrix License Servers that are unable to connect to the internet, we also offer the option of manually reporting licensing telemetry data to Citrix. To enable manual reporting, please follow this process.
If you are a fully cloud service customer without an on-premises License Server, this update does not apply to you and no action is required.
Ref:https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX477636/required-license-server-update
FAQ Main points
You must be compliant by the 31st of March 2023 to ensure you are still in support!
There is the option to manually report if you are in a dark site with no internet connectivity.
Going forward you must update your licence server so that it will never be 6th months out of date.
What are the consequences of not enabling license telemetry?
Enabling license telemetry is a CSS program term requirement for receiving product support. The Program Terms section of the License Compliance Center
was updated with the following text the week of Oct 17, 2022:
“Through your purchase of Customer Success Services, you agree to allow Citrix to audit your license compliance pursuant to the license compliance terms explained in this Citrix License Compliance Center. You understand that Citrix License Server collects and reports limited license telemetry to Citrix for on-premises product licenses to support license compliance. For those licenses, Citrix requires that you transition to License Server Version 11.17.2 Build 40000 by March 31, 2023, and subsequent new License Server versions within 6 months of the release of each new Version. License Server license collection and reporting (electronic or manual) must be active for License Server Version 11.17.2 Build 40000 and beyond. Unless you have elected manual reporting, you agree to adjust your firewalls as necessary to allow electronic license reporting. For a detailed explanation of the license telemetry functionality and reporting obligations, see the License Server product documentation. Should you have questions or concerns, contact Customer Care. Citrix may suspend or terminate your Customer Success Services for non-compliance with these requirements without liability in addition to any other remedies Citrix may have at law or equity. These requirements do not apply to the extent prohibited by law or regulation.”
Ref: https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX477614/citrix-license-telemetry-faq
For full details of the Licence data collection process: https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/licensing/current-release/license-server/licensing-data-collection-programs.html
Conclusion
If you are running Citrix on-Prem and are in current support, you must update your licence server by the 31st of March 2023 otherwise you are in breach of contract and could lose access to support.
Any older products running should function as normal as the licence server does not have a way to report back and this was always based on an honour system, which has led some to potentially misuse the licence.
The new system will ensure that Citrix are able to actively monitor your compliance and provide you with their product updates and support services.
In the meantime, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to Ronnie on LinkedIn
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