---
title: "Installing the Portal License"
slug: "installing-the-portal-license-4-2-1"
tags: ["Portal"]
updated: 2026-07-28T10:17:18Z
published: 2026-07-28T10:17:18Z
canonical: "kb.ctera.com/installing-the-portal-license-4-2-1"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.ctera.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installing the Portal License

The CTERA Portal includes a trial license for 30 days. This license includes some features that might not be supported in your implementation and excludes other features that you might require. CTERA recommends that you immediately install a permanent license that covers your requirements.

Install the permanent license using the following procedure.

**To install a license:**

1. In the CTERA Portal **Administrator Login** page, sign in as a global administrator.  

The **Main > Dashboard** page for the portal team administrator is displayed.
2. Click the view drop-down and select the **Administration** view.  

![image.png](https://cdn.document360.io/30792387-cdcb-4791-aa14-94929bbcd3fe/Images/Documentation/image-WV99G5F4.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T04%3A18%3A44Z&se=2026-11-11T05%3A18%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=iSozLR6Gl4lXvfEISf7KvYoorRDsh3YTB0nt4%2BgkpWI%3D)
3. In the global administration view, select **Settings > License** in the navigation pane.  

The **License** page is displayed.  

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/30792387-cdcb-4791-aa14-94929bbcd3fe/Images/Documentation/image-DDLVTQNV.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T04%3A18%3A44Z&se=2026-11-11T05%3A18%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=iSozLR6Gl4lXvfEISf7KvYoorRDsh3YTB0nt4%2BgkpWI%3D)
**Note**

The **Status** column displays the number of days until the free trial period expires.
4. Click **Add License Key**.  

The **Add License Keys** page is displayed.  

![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/30792387-cdcb-4791-aa14-94929bbcd3fe/Images/Documentation/image-HU6PHC54.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T04%3A18%3A44Z&se=2026-11-11T05%3A18%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=iSozLR6Gl4lXvfEISf7KvYoorRDsh3YTB0nt4%2BgkpWI%3D)
5. Copy the license key you received from CTERA, and paste it into the text box.
6. Optionally add a comment in the **Comment** field.  

You can use this comment to document the purchase order number associated with the license, and the like. The comment is displayed after saving the license, when you click on the license.
7. Click **Save**.

The **License** page displays what is included. ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/30792387-cdcb-4791-aa14-94929bbcd3fe/Images/Documentation/image-GQK1GM88.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T04%3A18%3A44Z&se=2026-11-11T05%3A18%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=iSozLR6Gl4lXvfEISf7KvYoorRDsh3YTB0nt4%2BgkpWI%3D) The system verifies and activates the license key by contacting the CTERA Activation service. When the license key is activated, it is associated with this installation of CTERA Portal.

Additional licensing is required for some features after the trial license expires, for example for global file locking, Varonis integration, and the Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP). ![Image](https://cdn.document360.io/30792387-cdcb-4791-aa14-94929bbcd3fe/Images/Documentation/image-QLCUFOWT.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-11T04%3A18%3A44Z&se=2026-11-11T05%3A18%3A44Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=iSozLR6Gl4lXvfEISf7KvYoorRDsh3YTB0nt4%2BgkpWI%3D)

**Note**

CTERA Drive licenses, Cloud Drive Connect, Server Agent (CTERA Drive Share), and Workstation Backup (CTERA Drive Protect) are included with CTERA Primary Data Services, as are all the edge filer models (EV*n*) that can connect to the portal.

Secondary Data Services do **not** include:

- The Server Agent (CTERA Drive Share)
- Multi-site collaboration
- The EV license is restricted to EV32
- Access by end users (only administrators have access)