Most modern firewalls connect to cloud servers for real-time license verification. However, an offline license file is mandatory for specific network architectures:
Kerio Control offers:
file, follow these steps within your Kerio Control administration interface: Log in to the Kerio Control Administration interface (typically
Upstream restrictions that block outgoing ports required for standard activation. Kerio Control Offline License File
: In the registration window, click the link labeled Register offline by license file .
A Kerio Control offline license file is a specially generated file—typically named license.key —that unlocks the full functionality of the Kerio Control software or hardware appliance without requiring an active internet connection at the time of activation. The file contains a digital certificate that binds the license to a specific deployment type: either a hardware appliance (such as the NG110, NG310, or NG500 series) or a software appliance running on a standard PC or virtual machine.
: If you have a physical copy, use the serial number provided on the registration card supplied with the product. Most modern firewalls connect to cloud servers for
While an offline license file successfully activates the core firewall routing, rules, and VPN capabilities, administrators must account for unique operational limitations. Add-on Module Limitations
: The offline registration wizard shows a generic "Unauthorized" error.
Choose the option for or Upload License File . Browse for your downloaded file and apply it. Limitations of Offline Licensing A Kerio Control offline license file is a
Offline licenses do not auto-renew. When your subscription extends, you must repeat the download and import process to update the expiration date in the dashboard. Troubleshooting Common Offline License Issues If your activation fails, check these common pain points. File corrupted during transfer. Redownload the .lic file from the portal. Version Mismatch License version doesn't match installed software. Upgrade software or request a legacy license file. Subscription Expired Software Maintenance agreement ended. Renew your license before generating the file. Hardware ID Error Software moved to new hardware or virtual machine. Reset the hardware UUID in the Kerio registration portal. To advance your setup, Share public link
Once you have the license.key file saved on your local machine, you need to transfer it to the isolated network and apply it to your Kerio Control instance. The following are the step-by-step instructions:
In the online world
Before visiting the activation portal, you need two critical pieces of information from your Kerio Control dashboard: