> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enercalc.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enercalc.com/sel-faq/setup-and-licensing/installation-activation-lice/how-it-works/internet-activation-systems.md). # Internet Activation System How ENERCALC's Internet Activation system grants permission to run the SEL and shares license seats between computers. ## Can you explain your Internet Activation system? ENERCALC's Internet Activation system is a very convenient means by which to obtain "activation", i.e. "permission" to run one or more installations of ENERCALC SEL on your computer(s). It provides a way for your SEL to communicate with the ENERCALC Internet Activation server and "request" an activation. As long as you have an available "seat" in your "pool" of licenses, the Internet Activation server will grant permission for your SEL to run. If the server finds that you have already used all of your available "seats", then it will provide an informative text box indicating this, and it will give you the option to view a list of currently activated users. There are a couple important features to note: 1. The Internet Activation system offers the option to "Indefinitely" activate a computer. This can be a very convenient option if you only run the SEL on a single computer. This option will activate the computer indefinitely (until you intentionally deactivate it). This can be useful in situations where you might take a laptop to a remote location where there is no Internet access. It can also be helpful in situations where Internet service is somewhat unreliable, because it eliminates the need for the SEL to request permission to run each time it is launched. 2. The Internet Activation system also offers a convenient option to automatically activate a computer when the SEL is launched, and automatically deactivate the computer when the SEL is closed. This can be a convenient and very efficient way to share "seats" in situations where there are more potential users than "seats" in your "pool". By allowing the system to automatically request an activation when you launch and return the activation when you exit, it allows you to minimize the number of "seats" you must purchase and support in order to keep your staff fully functional. (When used in this way, the Internet Activation system does ping the ENERCALC Internet Activation system each time the SEL is launched, so it does depend upon your having a reliable Internet connection.) Some notes of interest: * ENERCALC has used two activation systems. The first was used in Builds 6.0.00 to 6.1.03. It was a sublicensed product, and it is still active for users with Maintenance & Support Plans that expired prior to January 2010. * Build 6.1.50 and later use a system developed at ENERCALC to simplify the process, solve the problematic issues of the first system and offer simplifications for reactivating and moving activations. * The information in the Frequently Asked Questions document generally only addresses the system in use in Build 6.1.50 and later. For additional information see the following: --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.enercalc.com/sel-faq/setup-and-licensing/installation-activation-lice/how-it-works/internet-activation-systems.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.