## Software Protection

### Protection System

**NSR ECDIS NES-3000 software** is supplied together with a **hardware protection key** (USB key or SD card key) and an **application usage license**. On each startup, the application automatically checks for the presence of the key and the license validity period.

### Protection Key Types
**USB key**
![Software protection - USB key](images/zaschita-po-01-izobrazhenie-1.png)

**SD card key**
![Software protection - SD card](images/zaschita-po-02-izobrazhenie-2.png)

### Media Requirements

```{important}
**The license file must be written** to a USB medium with the **FAT32** file system.

**Prepare the removable media** used for installing licenses and User Permit files in ECDIS as described in the {doc}`Removable Media Preparation section </sections/general-information/removable-media-preparation/index>`.
```

### License Installation Procedure

#### USB Key
- **License files** are recommended to be placed in the root directory of the USB medium
- **Archives** *.zip or *.tar.gz are supported
- **It is recommended to use** an empty USB medium

#### SD Card Key
- **The license file** is located on the medium itself
- **The application will automatically** install it on startup


1. **Insert the USB medium** with the license file into the ECDIS USB port
2. **The application will automatically** install the license corresponding to the installed key
3. **ECDIS will continue operation** after successful installation

**User Permit installation** is performed in the same manner.

### Lockout on Key Removal

When the **hardware protection key** is removed from ECDIS, after **10 seconds** the ECDIS interface will be locked. A message **"Insert dongle!"** will be displayed.

![License installation procedure](images/zaschita-po-03-izobrazhenie-3.png)

### Recommendations for Key Issues

```{tip}
**It is recommended to perform the following actions:**

1. **Check the key presence** in the USB port
2. **Remove the key and reinsert it** into the port
3. **If the key is not recognized** within a minute — reboot ECDIS
4. **If ECDIS cannot find the hardware key** — contact the ECDIS supplier
```
