P R O D U C T
Lasting Availability – Not a
Matter of Choice
Since 2003, CmSticks have been available to protect and license your software. One great advantage of CodeMeter is that you
do not have to change how it is integrated in your software. Software protected by CodeMeter that was bought in 2003 will
function just as well with a CmStick bought in 2015. Even form factors that were invented much later, like the CmStick with
flash memory (CmStick/M) or CmCards supporting SD, microSD, CF, and CFast standards can be used without any changes
required on your part. The only action needed is to update the CodeMeter Runtime.
Let‘s look behind the scenes to learn how this
degree of reliability and availability has been
achieved.
Smart Card Chips
Every CmStick and every CmCard comes with
a smart card chip that includes Wibu-Systems
firmware for its CodeMeter functionality. In
addition to the firmware, the smart card chip
is the place to store your keys with state-ofthe-art security.
The evolution of smart card chips is mainly
powered by the consumer market, which is
used to short product lifecycles. Later models
are not always compatible in this world.
Wibu-Systems Is Thinking Ahead
For You
For us, it is important that software developers
like you have permanent and reliable access
to compatible CmSticks. We have long-term
framework agreements in place to guarantee
that our chosen smart card chip is available for
the longest viable period. Even then, any smart
card chip has an end of life. That is why we are
always looking ahead and keeping an eye out
for promising successors.
How Can I See Which Smart Card
Chip Is Used?
You can see the version of the smart card
12
chip by checking the box mask of CmDongle’s
serial number. Current CmDongles have serial
numbers starting with a “3-”. This stands
for the third generation of the dongle, which
uses a smart card chip produced by Infineon
Technologies from Germany. All CmSticks
without flash memory were already switched
to the current smart card chip, while their
flash-equipped peers are set to follow in 2016.
Do I Need a New CodeMeter
Runtime?
Technical progress means that the hardware
used for CmDongles is not always available
in fully compatible versions. In these rare
cases, an update to a current version might be
required.
Standard features might change as we develop
and improve compatibility with modern PCs.
Wibu-Systems will make sure that the new
standard features can be used on all runtime
versions that were released within the last two
years.
One such change is the transition from a
Mass Storage Device (a CmStick with a drive
letter) to a Human Interface Device (a CmStick
without drive letter).
Supporting New Functions
The firmware of CmDongles can be updated
with updates from Wibu-Systems. Secure
signatures are in place to make sure that no
fake or tampered firmware will find its way
onto a CmDongle.
Updates also allow us to roll out new functions
to CmDongles that are already being used in
the field. Technical limitations might mean
that some new functions cannot be retrofitted
to all older generations of CmDongles.
Availability? – Of Course
Even though individual components might
only be produced for a short period of time,
our CmDongle is a product that you will be
able to buy in compatible versions for many
years to come. We are dedicated to keeping
the CodeMeter API backward compatible at
every turn, so that you do not need to change
anything in your software. We will keep
innovating to make sure that new CmDongles
can be used with new interfaces coming into
the market, while staying compatible with the
trusted old connectors. Existing functions will
remain available in future models.
We can say with confidence: “Of course a
compatible version of our products will stay
available for the long run. All you need is to
update the CodeMeter Runtime – and often,
not even that.”