License Activation & HWID
Every Alpha Draconis license is bound to a single machine through Hardware Identity (HWID) — a cryptographic fingerprint of your Execution Node. This ensures one license = one machine, preventing unauthorized redistribution.
How HWID Works
Your HWID is a SHA-256 hash derived from four hardware components:
| Component | Source | |-----------|--------| | CPU ID | Unique processor identifier | | BIOS Serial | Motherboard serial number | | Machine GUID | Windows installation identifier | | Volume Serial | Primary disk partition ID |
HWID = SHA-256(CPU_ID | BIOS_SERIAL | MACHINE_GUID | VOLUME_SERIAL)
ℹ️ First Activation
On first launch, the system registers your HWID to your license in the cloud. Subsequent launches verify the HWID matches. This process is automatic — no action required from you.
Activation Flow
Enter License Key
In MetaTrader 5 EA settings, paste your license key into the InpLicenseKey field.
On Sentinel, pass --license-key "YOUR-KEY" as a command argument.
Automatic HWID Binding
The system collects your machine fingerprint and checks the cloud:
- No HWID stored → Registers your machine (first activation)
- HWID matches → Access granted ✅
- HWID mismatch → Access denied ❌
Cloud Verification
Every session, your license is re-validated against the cloud database. This ensures revoked or expired licenses are enforced in real-time.
License States
| Status | Meaning | Action | |--------|---------|--------| | Active | License valid, HWID verified | Normal operation | | Expired | Subscription ended | Renew at Dashboard | | Suspended | Security violation detected | Contact support | | HWID Mismatch | Different machine detected | Request HWID reset |
⚠️ Machine Changes
If you replace hardware (CPU, motherboard) or reinstall Windows, your HWID will change. Contact support to request an HWID reset — we verify ownership before unbinding.
Anti-Clone Protection
Alpha Draconis includes Doppelganger Detection — a server-side system that detects VM cloning attacks:
- Each heartbeat includes your Execution Node's IP address
- If the same license sends heartbeats from different IPs within 60 seconds, a collision is recorded
- After 5 collisions, the license is flagged and admin is alerted
- Collision count decays naturally during legitimate single-node operation
🚨 Zero Tolerance
Cloning a licensed machine and running multiple instances simultaneously will trigger automatic suspension. This is monitored 24/7 by the cloud infrastructure.
Managing Your License
All license management happens through the Dashboard:
- View Status: Dashboard → License → Current status and expiry
- HWID Reset: Contact support with proof of hardware change
- Renewal: Dashboard → Subscription → Auto-renew or manual renewal
- Transfer: License transfers are handled case-by-case by support
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution | |-------|----------| | "License validation failed" | Check internet connection, verify WebRequest URL | | "HWID mismatch" | Contact support for HWID reset | | "License expired" | Renew subscription at Dashboard | | "License suspended" | Review security alerts, contact support |