Feb
28
2012

DeployLX 5.0 R5650 Released

Highlights

This is a maintenance release. No significant features have been added. 

Download DeployLX 5.0 R5650 

Continue Reading
Dec
16
2011

DeployLX 5.0 R5521 Released

Highlights

  • Improved CodeVeil heuristics on string reference usage - improves reflection based obfuscation.
  • Fixed registration issues with Sales Tools.
  • Resolves a few deployment issues discovered after the initial release.
  • Complete change log

Download DeployLX 5.0 R5521 

Continue Reading
Nov
22
2011

DeployLX 5.0 Released

Highlights

  • Obfuscate Everything disguises calls to system classes and third party assemblies.
  • Zero-width obfuscation renames protected methods to unrenderable strings.
  • Code Compression compacts MSIL metadata.
  • Improved runtime protection for non-encrypted assemblies.
  • Better anti-reflection to defeat Reflector and other disassemblers.
  • Virtual Machine Limits control use of software on VMs.
  • Standalone sales tools for sales and support staff.
  • Support .NET Client Profile.
  • Compile time attributes to declare obfuscation and encryption settings in source.
  • Improved Project and License Editors.
  • Property inlining reduces assembly size and improves performance.
  • Disable 3rd parties from compiling against veiled assemblies.
  • Exception translation supported for all obfuscation methods.
  • Improved user experience when CodeVeil detects tampering.
  • UI improvements and fixes.
  • More samples and updated documentation.
  • Better memory usage when veiling assemblies.
  • Compatibility updates for the latest versions of Windows and .NET.
  • Import and export license themes.
  • Complete Change Log

Download DeployLX 5.0

Compatibility with Earlier Versions

This release can be used as a complete replacement for version 3.x or 4.x. It is backwards compatible except for a few very specific breaking changes. Existing licenses can be validated with the new runtime license without change. License servers upgraded to the new 5.x runtime can validate and authorize 3.x and 4.x licenses without change.

I Have an Assurance Contract, Where's My License?

Valid assurance contract holders will receive a private email with instructions on how to obtain their free covered upgrade. Make sure your account is up to date so that the instruction email is delivered to the right address.

I Have a 3.x/4.x License and Want to Upgrade

If you purchased on or after Sep 22, 2011 you will receive a complimentary upgrade. Look for an email from us in the next 2 weeks with instructions on how to obtain your upgrade.

To purchase an upgrade, contact sales with your current serial numbers to request a quote.

Continue Reading
Aug
11
2011

DeployLX 4.1 R4952 Released

Highlights

  • Improved CodeVeil encrypted runtime performance.
  • Network license stability and reliability improvements.
  • Many minor usability and compatibility improvements.
  • Complete change log

Download Release Version

Final 4.x Release

This release serves as the final GA release for the 4.x line. We will continue to release security updates and major bug fixes as needed but all further development will be dedicated to the upcoming 5.x release.

See what features are currently in development for DeployLX 5.x

Continue Reading
Jan
12
2011

XHEO Delivers First Class Copy Protection for .NET Developers

The DeployLX Software Protection System v4.1 represents the most advanced copy protection available for .NET developers. Balancing security and protection with customer ease of use. Protect your assets without frustrating users.

DeployLX Licensing is the leading copy protection tool for .NET developers for more than 10 years. DeployLX Licensing makes it easy to provide trials, hardware locking and remote monitoring of your products. With the included License Manager you can use one of 24 included license restrictions to match your copy protection strategy to meet your business goals. The rich user interface makes a great first impression on your users and makes it easy for them to understand and work within the license terms that you specify.

  • Compelling User Interface for users that makes a great first impression.  

  • Protect ASP.NET & Windows Applications, class libraries and controls.

  • License management tools that are easy to use but offer incredible power and flexibility.

  • SDK to build your own license management tools for sales and support staff.

  • Rules based licenses with 24 built in limits support myriad licensing schemes.

  • Hardware Locking with customizable hardware profiling, tolerance, online activation and license transfer.

  • Serial Numbers that can unlock protected features of an application.

  • Trial/Evaluations that can be limited by time or number of users.

  • Source Code for the runtime library for deep integration.

  • Remotely monitor and revoke licenses.

  • Network floating licenses that control the number of active applications on a network.

  • Software Subscriptions that can be renewed automatically online.

  • Generate licenses, serial numbers, activation codes and extensions from your own commerce server.

  • Wizards that automate protecting Visual Studio 2005, 2008 & 2010 projects.

  • Globalization with an ease to use translation editor.


DeployLX CodeVeil encrypts your .NET applications and DLLs and includes anti-debugging, anti-tracing, modification tracking, and more to prevent unauthorized access and modification of your assemblies. Veiled assemblies can be used just like any other assembly - no third party dll is required with your distribution! Don't want encryption? No problem, DeployLX CodeVeil still includes the unique obfuscation techniques not found in any other obfuscator without adding any additional runtime requirements.

  • Encrypt your Software and prevent unauthorized users from viewing or modifying your assemblies.

  • Any .NET Project including Windows Applications, ASP.NET Controls and Sites, Windows Services, EXEs or DLLs.

  • Industry Leading Obfuscation using multi-assembly usage analysis to maximize the reduction of meta-data and increase confusion.

  • Anti-Reflection technology to frustrate tools like ILDASM and Reflector.

  • Runtime Protection including anti-debugging, anti-memory dumping, anti-tracing and anti-profiling.

  • Tamper-Resistence makes it extremely difficult for hackers to modify the assembly and remove licensing and other restrictions.

  • String and Resource Encryption to protect your sensitive data.

  • Integrated MSBuild Tasks make it easy to integrate CodeVeil into your automated build process.

Continue Reading
Sep
11
2010

DeployLX 4.1 R4545 Released

This release brings full native .NET 4.0 support  for both DeployLX Licensing & DeployLX CodeVeil. 

Highlights

  • Full native support for .NET 4.0.
  • Many minor usability and compatibility improvements.
  • Complete change log

Download Release Version

Additional Samples

One additional sample has been added to demonstrate the use of the new Network Floating License features.

Network Licensed Windows Application Starter Kit

Continue Reading
Jun
28
2010

DeployLX 4.1 r4474 Nightly Build supports .NET 4.0

We now have official full support for .NET 4.0 available in the nightly builds. This update includes runtime support for DeployLX CodeVeil code encryption features and better support for the updated .NET 4.0 runtime security model for all redistributable components.

Download Nightly Build

Continue Reading
Jun
15
2010

DeployLX 4.0 R4463 Released

This release addresses a number of edge cases and potential deadlocks discovered after the initial release of DeployLX 4.0. It also marks a step closer to full .NET 4.0 support.

Highlights

  • Minor usability updates and fixes to the Network Licensing system.
  • Stability issues in DeployLX application.
  • Fix problems with built in HTML Help using the disqus.com comment system.
  • Complete change log

Download Release Version

.NET 4.0 Support

We've been hard at work brining full .NET 4.0 runtime compatibility. Most of the work has been completed but is still being tested.

Download the latest experimental release

NOTE: The experimental release will overwrite any previous installs. You will need to completely uninstall the experimental release to restore the GA version.

Additional Samples

Two additional samples have been posted to demonstrate the use of DeployLX Licensing in a Windows Application and an ASP.NET application.

Licensed Windows Application Starter Kit

Licensed ASP.NET Application Starter Kit

Continue Reading
May
30
2010

.NET 4.0 Experimental Support

Experimental support for .NET 4.0 is now available. 

Download it now

  • Supports runtime encryption for the 4.0 runtime
  • Supports new security settings for the 4.0 runtime.
Continue Reading
Apr
19
2010

Support for .NET 4.0

What about .NET 4.0?

Official support for .NET 4.0 will be announced a few weeks following the official release of .NET 4.0. Currently the Licensing component works without issues against the .NET 4.0 Release Candidate. The Code Encryption feature of the CodeVeil Component is not stable in applications running under the .NET 4.0 runtime.

Every time Microsoft releases a major system update for the .NET runtime we have to re-vet the entire runtime executive injected by CodeVeil. Each time it takes a few weeks to a couple months to rework with all the unpublished and undocumented changes that Microsoft has made to the core runtime. Our customers of course want 4.0 support so it is an urgent matter for us to get 4.0 compatibility as well.

Continue Reading
Apr
9
2010

DeployLX v4.0 Released

Subscribe Product Releases - Subscribe to receive notices about product updates.

Highlights

  • Windows 7 Support
  • Brand new Network Licensing support local, branch and remote network support including disconnected clients.
  • Hundreds of end user enhancements including better instructions, easier navigation, reduced prompts and others.
  • New Feature limit to support named features enabled by serial number or extension code.
  • New Feature Filter limit to enable or disable child limits based on enabled features.
  • New Type limit to filter license support based on licensed type.
  • New Reset limit to reset time and use state based on the success of other limits. Enables renewable grace periods.
  • New State limit to enforce different rules based on the state of other rules. 
  • New Remote Desktop limit to control use over remote desktop sessions.
  • New Online limit to enable different rules based on Internet connectivity.
  • Dozens of system stability and compatibility enhancements for CodeVeil.
  • FIPS compliance.
  • Show license forms at any time to extend a license prematurely, enter a new serial number, activate on demand, etc.
  • Change Log

Compatibility with 3.x Licensing Runtime

This release can be used as a complete replacement for version 3.x. It is backwards compatible except for a few very specific breaking changes. Existing licenses can be validated with the new runtime license without change. License servers upgraded to the new 4.x runtime can validate and authorize 3.x licenses without change.

What about .NET 4.0?

Official support for .NET 4.0 will be announced a few weeks following the official release of .NET 4.0. Currently the Licensing component works without issues against the .NET 4.0 Release Candidate. The Code Encryption feature of the CodeVeil Component is not stable in applications running under the .NET 4.0 runtime.

I Have an Assurance Contract, Where's My License?

Valid assurance contract holders will receive a private email with instructions on how to obtain their free covered upgrade. Make sure your account is up to date so that the instruction email is delivered to the right address.

I Have a 3.x License and Want to Upgrade

If you purchased on or after Feb 5, 2010 you will receive a complimentary upgrade. Look for an email from us in the next 2 weeks with instructions on how to obtain your upgrade.

To purchase an upgrade, contact sales with your current serial numbers to request a quote.

Continue Reading
Mar
19
2010

DeployLX v4.0 Release Candidate

It's finally here. We've been working hard to improve the developer experience and user experience with the DeployLX suite of applications.

Highlights

  • Reworked the Network Licensing system.
  • Windows 7 Compatibility.
  • Hundreds of end user enhancements including better instructions, easier navigation, reduced prompts and others.
  • 4 Additional limits.
  • Limit filters to adjust rules based on the state of other limits.
  • Improved system compatibility.
  • FIPS Compliance.
  • Show license forms at any time after validation.
  • Breaking Changes

Change Log

Part of the new development efforts involved integrating a bug tracking/feature tracking system into our development process. We tried FogBugz, AxoSoft and finally settled on what we liked best - YouTrack by the same folks that make ReSharper.

You can find a complete change log for DeployLX on our YouTrack site.

What about .NET 4.0?

Official support for .NET 4.0 will be announced a few weeks following the official release of .NET 4.0. Currently the Licensing component works without issues against the .NET 4.0 Release Candidate. The Code Encryption feature of the CodeVeil Component is not stable in applications running under the .NET 4.0 runtime.

Getting the Release Candidate

The evaluation version of the 4.0 Beta can be downloaded directly from our site.

If you've purchased DeployLX 3.x you'll find the release version of the beta in your account downloads.

Final Release Date

Pending any major security flaws discovered in the release candidate, DeployLX 4.0 will be released for General Availability Monday April 5, 2010.

Continue Reading
Oct
28
2009

DeployLX 3.2 R3813 Released

Maintenance release. Some customers reported receiving Invalid Program exceptions with then encrypted version of the licensing runtime. The fix was discovered some time ago, but applied only to the 4.x release. The fix has been back ported and incorporated into the final 3.x release.

See the complete change log.

To download the update select Help | Check for Updates in the DeployLX Manager, or visit the My Account section of the website to download authorized installers.

Continue Reading
Oct
13
2009

DeployLX 3.2 R3751 Released

This is the final release of the 3.x line and includes a few minor usability enhancements and back-ports of fixes made to the new 4.x beta.

  • Experimental Support for Windows 7.
  • Fixed module load exception in Windows Server 2008 x64 with Kill Debuggers enabled.
  • Improved the Test License feature in DeployLX Manager.
  • DeveloperMode will reset any secure storage tamper detection and will report tampering in the error report.
  • See the complete change log and new xbugz.com site for more details.
Continue Reading
Sep
24
2009

Changing Windows Console to Use Monaco

I recently acquired a MacBook Pro for my mobile development and played around in Mac OSX before getting Boot Camp and Windows 7 installed. While exploring I kept reading text files in the Monaco font. I've known about it for a while and never liked it as a programming font. But I did like it for the console and SSH apps. But surprise when installing Windows, Monaco was not a available as a console font -- even after downloading it an configuring it for Notepad. So a little digging with Process Monitor I found the registry key needed to make it available:

Continue Reading
Sep
7
2009

Disabling Dr. Watson in Windows 7

When an application crashes on Windows 7 where Visual Studio is installed, you're normally prompted to Debug the application (after waiting for it to check for issues :( ). However some applications always get caught by Dr. Watson and never give you a chance to debug. There are a few articles out there on disabling Dr. Watson for XP, but Vista and Windows 7 are different enough that the other techniques often fail to help.

Continue Reading
Aug
22
2009

Browsing the Global Assembly Cache

On occassion one might have the need to browse .NET's Global Assembly Cache -- to manually update a file during development or to remove an assembly left behind by an installer. Normally you'd use gacutil to add or remove assemblies from the GAC during testing and development. However if the assembly was added by an installer, gacutil refuses to remove it.

Continue Reading
Aug
10
2009

Get NHibernate Entities by Property, Part 2

In the previous post, I showed how to use the Session.Get<T> syntax against an arbitrary property on the entity. The primary limitation with that method is that it only works for constant values. The following will work with constants, local variables, return values from methods, etc.

Continue Reading
Aug
7
2009

Get NHibernate Entities by Property

While many of my entity classes use surrogate primary keys, they also have natural keys (Product SKU for example). When I want one of those entities it's more natural to use the natural key, naturally. Normally that requires a CreateCriteria call, I'd rather just call Get<T> like I can with the surrogate keys. So I created an extension method that lets me do this:

Continue Reading
Jul
19
2009

Testing Emails

Ever wished you could test the output of your MailMessages without actually sending the message anywhere? You could use the DeliveryMethod of the SmtpClient with SpecifiedPickupDirectory and try and round trip the email through the file system. This is troublesome as you have to remember to delete all the files in the output directory before calling Send, then scan the folder for the new file. It also prevents you from any sort of multi-threaded testing.

Continue Reading
Jun
3
2009

Easy, Fast, Thread-safe Dictionary with a Type Key

From time to time I'll want to perform some operation on a subset of properties of a Type. However reflecting over types can be costly exercise. Since Types don't change at runtime the natural solution is to parse them once and cache the results. For small sets this works well. However  with hundreds of types, the performance starts to degrade. I've also noticed that the typeof operator is rather slow when compared to intrinsic is and as operators.

Limitations

  • It's ready only. It's a great lazily initialized structure but the factors that make it thread safe.
  • It's never garbage collected. Type information is always retained in the AppDomain so any statics created this way will always remain live.
Continue Reading
May
20
2009

Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 RC1

When upgrading from Windows Vista to the new Windows 7 RC some customers have complained of license access errors when running their protected software. DeployLX Licensing contains anti-hacking features to detect when a hacker tries to delete the secure storage.  When detected any license that uses secure storage (such as those containing a Time limit or Activation limit) will fail -- informing the user that they need to run the application as an administrator at least once. However running as an administrator does not resolve the issue because the secure storage is still missing.

During the upgrade process the Windows Setup only copies the first entry in the secure storage database. When the protected application is run for the first time after upgrading the first run markers are found, but the secure storage is missing. DeployLX Licensing detects this and employs the anti-hacking technique described above.

A fix for this process has been added to the nightly builds. For those using the embeddable source, please contact support to obtain corresponding nightly build.

The fix will when installed before or after the OS upgrade will permit the user to run the protected application once the OS has been upgraded.

Continue Reading
Apr
20
2009

Troubleshooting Projects Rebuilding Every Time

For some reason, every project in my solution has decided to rebuild every time I try to build the solution -- even if that particular project has no changes and none of the dependent projects have any changes. I thought it might have been cause by my recent change to turn Copy Local off for inter-solution references to help speed up the build process. But even reverting the code didn't seem to fix it. Deleting the .suo and .user files that Visual Studio keeps it's editor state in didn't help either. So I decided to track down the issue.

Continue Reading
Apr
15
2009

Chasing Success with DeployLX

"We have sent dozens and dozens of questions to XHEO and we typically receive answers the same or next business day. They even added a feature for us! Some of our initial ideas turned out to be more restrictive than we really wanted but XHEO helped us tune our license parameters to fit our needs. I think we have achieved strong protection without ruining our paying customer's experience. We could not have gotten our anti-piracy solution implemented in time without their help, and we did not have to compromise."

Rolf Fischer 
Chief Architect 
DashWare

Continue Reading
Apr
2
2009

DeployLX 3.2 R3140 Released

Highlights

  • Fixed module load exception on 64-bit operating systems with kill-debuggers option enabled.
  • Added option to copy details to clipboard from the standard DeployLX Licesning extension panel.
  • Calling SecureLicenseManager.ResetCacheXXXX methods will now clear license application state. This state is not used to enforce limits but to enhance user interface such as only showing the Trial form once per session.
  • Added Test License button to DeployLX manager to make it easier to test licenses during development.
  • When the license changes on the client are persisted they normally always try to save to the original location. If access is denied changes are persisted to a shadow copy of the license. Now, when the client persistence (LicenseFile.SaveTo) is NotSet, DeployLX will detect if the license is embedded and would normally be saved to the Program Files folder and will automatically use the shared folder instead.
  • Added new option to Trial and Activation limits to control when the form is shown. The FirstTimeAndExpires value will show the form the first time the license is validated, then only again after the trial or grace period has expired.
  • Fixed FieldAccessException when referencing public fields of types that also include private fields from another assembly.
  • Added ability to obtain the deactivation codes when calling SecureLicenseManager.Deactivate.
  • Changed the CodeVeil MSBuild targets to automatically be included in the build process at the end of the CoreBuild target.
  • Resolved logic that allowed any returned value from a License Server to be ignored when Can Skip Server was selected in the Registration Limit.
  • Fixed InvalidFormatException with non-english translations.
  • When closing a project in the DeployLX Manager, if changes had occured since the last save the user was prompted. Selecting Cancel from the dialog box would result in the project being closed, unsaved, and any changes lost. Resolved the conflict to return to the project without closing it.
  • Fixed inheriting from nested class causes stack overflow exception.
  • See the complete change log for more details.

UPDATE: We had a small bug in the build script that was marking the builds and change log with an older build number. This has been fixed and the version number is correct in all locations.

Continue Reading

Subscribe Subscribe

Search