# License Management

> Learn how to request and install a CubeCOS license to activate support entitlement.

CubeCOS licenses are required only for clusters that require production support entitlement. Licenses are issued post-installation and are bound to the hardware serial number of the host machine.

:::info

Only commercial customers who need enterprise support for their CubeCOS installations are required to obtain a license. Community users can continue using CubeCOS without one.

:::

## Requesting a CubeCOS license file {#requesting-a-cubecos-license-file}

1. Login to the CubeCOS management interface.

2. Navigate to `Maintenance > Licenses` and click on `Get Hardware Serials`.

   ![01-license-page.png](/assets/installation/01-license-page.png)

3. Select the hosts that require a license and click `Copy to clipaboard`.
   1. For initial setup, select all hosts.
   2. For cluster expansion or node replacement, select only the nodes showing `Unlicense` status.

   ![02-select-hosts.png](/assets/installation/02-select-hosts.png)

4. Submit the serials via [contact us](https://www.bigstack.co/contact-us).

## Installing a CubeCOS license file {#installing-a-cubecos-license-file}

1. Obtain the license file from Bigstack after verification and issuance. Do not modify the license name or contents.
2. Return to the license page, and click `Import license`.

   ![03-import-license.png](/assets/installation/03-import-license.png)

3. In the `Import License` dialog, review the license information. Ensure all details are correct, then click `Yes, import license`.

   ![04-license-details.png](/assets/installation/04-license-details.png)

4. After successful import, the license will appear in the Licenses tab.

   ![05-license-overview.png](/assets/installation/05-license-overview.png)