PMC Offline Activation Mode – Overview

Introduction

The PMC Offline Activation Mode is a valuable feature for organizations operating in secure or restricted environments with no direct Internet access. Available in PMC version 3.2.2 and higher, this mode allows administrators to activate and manage PMC licenses manually, bypassing the requirement for online communication with the NComputing Management Portal.

Offline Activation Mode Overview

In offline mode, PMC will not communicate with the NComputing Management Portal through HTTPS. Instead, activation and license refresh data—normally exchanged over the Internet in online mode—are manually transferred using encrypted request and license files.

This feature is essential for environments with:

• Firewall restrictions

• Air-gapped (offline) networks

• Internet access limitations
  

How to Activate PMC in Offline Mode

Once approval is granted, follow these steps to perform an offline activation:

1. Switch to Offline Mode
   On the PMC activation page, click “Switch to offline activation” at the bottom.
   
   

2. Generate Request File
   Enter a name for the PMC appliance and click [Download request file].
   
   
   

3. Upload to Management Portal
   Transfer the request file to a device with Internet access.
   Log in to NComputing Management Portal and navigate to:
   My PMC Installations > Offline Licensing, then upload the file to generate a license file.
   
   
   
   

   

   Note: If you get the below warning when up uploading, your account has not been approved for off-line registration. Contact your NComputing representative to enable your account.
   
   

4. Upload License File to PMC
   Return to PMC and click Upload the license file to complete the offline activation process.
   Select the license file, accept the EULA, and click [Upload license file].
   
   

Note: If you generate a new request file, any previously downloaded license file will become invalid. You must repeat the process and upload the new request file to the Management Portal to generate a matching license file.

PMC License Refresh in Offline Mode

In online environments, PMC refreshes licenses daily. However, in offline mode, refreshes must be done manually—especially after changes to the environment, like:

• Adding new devices (e.g., LEAFOS or RX-RDP family clients)

• Purchasing or extending your subscription to AMP for Device or AMP for vSpace licensing. 

Steps to Refresh License Offline

1. In PMC, go to Administration > Licensing. Click on [Download license update request file].
   
   

2. Transfer the file to a device with Internet access and log in to the Management Portal.

3. Navigate to My PMC Installations > Offline Licensing and upload the request file.

4. Download the new license file.

5. Back in PMC, browse and upload the new license file via the Administration > Licensing section.

6. Click [Upload license update file] to complete the refresh.

Note: If you generated a new update license request file after you previously downloaded another license file from the Management Portal, you will have to repeat the process, starting at step 3.   

Limitations of Offline Activation Mode

Some features are restricted in offline environments due to the lack of real-time communication with the Management Portal:

• LEAF OS License Revocation:
  Devices will receive license revocation commands from PMC, but the Management Portal won't be updated until the next manual license refresh.

• Marking Devices as Lost:
  Devices will be reset and license-invalidated locally, but the Management Portal won't reflect this until the next manual license refresh.

• Marking Devices as Found:
  Only the Management Portal can unlock a device marked as lost. This requires both:

  • Manual license refresh, and

  • Internet access for the devices involved.

Conclusion

When online, PMC operates at its peak capacity and optimal performance. However, Offline Activation Mode provides an alternative when critical security or restricted environments necessitate its use. By adhering to the prescribed procedures and ensuring timely manual updates, organizations can guarantee uninterrupted and compliant device management, even in the absence of a live internet connection.

If you need assistance or help enabling offline mode, please contact NComputing Support or your Sales Representative.