This is in regards to the APPLIANCE license key. The license key that you apply when going through the EULA screen during initial virtual appliance set up, for example. The license key allows you to manage X amount of client computers under the Inventory list. Currently, in order to obtain support for the appliance with latest updates, technical support, etc... you must have a valid license key applied to the appliance.

Example of the problem:
- Purchase license key that allow 500 nodes to be managed under Inventory. Expires December 2018. Licensing department provides a license key for this via email.
- A month later goes by and a purchase is made with the license department to increase the key by 50. This does not expire until December 2021. It was decided to increase the managed nodes from 500 to 550. Licensing department provides a NEW license key for this via email.

After December 2018 goes by, if the 500 license key does not get renewed (on time or on purpose), then there is no support. No patch download, no software catalog updates, no technical support, no software update (via kbin) downloads available.

It should not be so complicated in that there is NO support until you are forced to contact License department for renewal or for a new key. Right now it is all or nothing on a license key. The appliance should be smart enough to figure out 500 nodes has expired but there still should be support for 50 nodes. The appliance should allow for continuous patch downloads, software catalog updates, appliance updates due to the fact that 50 nodes license purchase does not expire until December 2021.

Should not be as complicated to manage devices, get support with current license structure.