Synopsis:
In an effort to maintain the standardization of software on DeSC machines, the Desktop Systems Council and the Office of Information Technology will implement a keyed software infrastructure.

Solution:
The Desktop Systems Council (DeSC), in partnership with OIT, has introduced the DeSC Administrative Keyserver service to the University's standardized computing environment. The keyserver manages and serves software packages that have been licensed and configured to work in Princeton University's DeSC computing environment. This service will allow DeSC to offer a wider array of software in a very cost-effective manner. It will also aid significantly in keeping all DeSC computers at a standardized level for software.

How will the keyserver work?
A keyed application, such as Adobe Acrobat, is installed on a DeSC computer. In order for that application to run, it must "check out" a license from the keyserver. These keyed applications will be installed either as part of the DeSC image, or by SMS push. With this system, the software gets installed on all DeSC machines, but a reduced number of licenses are required.

One such package to be provided to all DeSC machines is the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Professional. For the keyed software integral to University administrative systems, such as Acrobat, if usage indicates that it is necessary, DeSC will increase the number of available licenses to ensure that users have access to the software needed to complete their daily work.

Please see http://www.princeton.edu/desc for more information regarding:

• DeSC Central Software Set
• Keyed Software
• Distribution of Keyed Software
• Non-Central Software on DeSC machines
• DeSC License Review
• Keyed Software Installers Location

Acrobat: Reader or Professional -- Which version should I use?
For full information, please see Solution 9522.

The Council does allow an individual license of Adobe Acrobat Professional to be installed on DeSC Windows XP machines. The correct procedure is to first uninstall the DeSC keyed licensed application completely before installing the individual license. The instructions are in the DeSC rollout documentation.