6. Software Installation & Licensing

The download link is provided in the email containing the trial license key. The latest software installation instructions can be found at www.andrisoft.com.

Each trial license key activates all features for 30 days. You can install the trial license key on any number of servers. To switch to a full, registered version, apply a license key purchased from the Andrisoft Store.

6.1. Opening the Console

Wanguard Console provides a web-based interface and centralized system through which you can control and monitor all other components. If you have followed the installation instructions correctly, you will only need to log in to the Console to manage and monitor servers and software components. SSH access is required only for software updates.

Open the Console at http://<console_hostname>/wanguard. If the page cannot be displayed, ensure that the Apache web server is running and that the firewall does not block incoming traffic on ports 80 or 443. You can also access it securely via HTTPS if the Apache web server is configured to serve pages over SSL/TLS.

If you have not licensed the software, you will be prompted to do so. Upload the trial.key file that was emailed to you by clicking the key icon. The license key contains encrypted information about the software’s licensed capabilities. You can replace the license key in Configuration » General Settings » License Manager.

Log in to the Console using the default username/password: admin/changeme.

If the Console is installed on a publicly accessible server, change the “admin” account’s default password immediately. To do so, click Admin in the top-right corner of the browser window and select [Change Password]. From the same menu, you can also change the Console layout and theme.

To learn how to navigate the Console, see the Basic Concepts of Wanguard Console chapter.

6.3. Licensing Procedure

When the trial period ends, you may need to purchase as many Sensor and Filter licenses—available as annual or multi-annual subscriptions—as the number of Sensors and Filters configured and enabled in Configuration » Components:

6.3.1. Sensor Licensing

You must purchase as many Wanguard Sensor licenses (or the more affordable Wansight Sensor licenses if DDoS detection is not needed) as the number of Packet Sensors and Flow Sensors configured and activated in the web interface.

✔ Each Flow Sensor can monitor a single flow exporter - usually a border or edge router. Flow Sensor does not have a licensing limitation on the number of interfaces it can monitor, or any limitation involving the network’s traffic volume
✔ Multiple Packet Sensors listening to the same interface (e.g., a multi-queue NIC) consume only one Sensor license. Packet Sensor can monitor multiple interfaces when using PF_RING or DPDK, with no limitations on network traffic volume
✔ Sensor Cluster does not require a license to operate, as it only aggregates data collected by other Sensors

6.3.2. Filter Licensing

You must also purchase as many Wanguard Filter licenses as the number of Packet Filters and Flow Filters configured and activated in the web interface. A Wanguard Filter license does not include a Wanguard Sensor license.

✔ Each Packet Filter can monitor and apply filtering rules on a single network interface, except when using DPDK (which requires a dedicated license)
✔ Flow Filter accepts traffic data from multiple Flow Sensors, so in most cases, a single Flow Filter suffices—even for large networks. When using BGP Flowspec, a single Flow Filter can work with multiple routers
✔ Filter Cluster does not require a license, since it aggregates data collected by other Filters

6.3.3. DPDK Licensing

If you use DPDK with Packet Sensor or Packet Filter, you must purchase a separate DPDK license for it.

6.3.4. Console Licensing

The Console is free and does not require a license.

6.3.5. Server Licensing

You can distribute the licensed Sensors and Filters across any number of servers without extra licensing costs. The license key must include the hardware keys listed in Configuration » General Settings » License Manager » Requirements. These hardware keys are bound to the server’s hardware, active NIC, IP, and hostname.

6.3.6. Licensing Period

The minimum software licensing period is 12 months. You can purchase licenses for up to four years in advance. Perpetual licenses are only sold in special cases (e.g., OEM deals). The subscription-based licensing model offers several advantages over perpetual licensing:

✔ It lowers the initial cost and is generally more cost-effective than purchasing a perpetual license plus annual support
✔ It includes standard support throughout the subscription period
✔ It provides an incentive for ongoing feature development
✔ It provides an incentive for delivering high-quality support

The software does not support separate expiration dates for multiple licenses. To avoid losing licensing days, expiration dates for components not purchased at the same time are merged by calculating an average date, weighted by the number of licenses, ensuring fairness.

For example, if you have one Sensor license expiring in six months and purchase another Sensor license for 12 months, you will not have two different expiration dates. Instead, you will have a single license key for two Sensors, valid for nine months. This allows you to pay for the subscription only once per year.