Avaya Service Pack and Dot Release Guardian is patent pending technology that protects and controls the authorized use of Communication Manager Service packs and dot releases by inserting the Support End Date (SED) in the license file and comparing it to the Publication Date of the service pack or dot release. The application of service packs and dot release upgrades require Avaya support entitlements.

Using Avaya Service Pack and Dot Release Guardian technology, you can use a service pack or dot release if the Publication Date of the service pack or dot release is on or before the SED in the Communication Manager license file. Consider the following examples where the SED in the license file is 01 March 2013:

• Service Pack Guardian:

  • If the service pack Publication date is 01 March 2013 (or any earlier date), you can apply the service pack.

  • If the service pack Publication date is 02 March 2013 (or any later date), Communication Manager blocks the service pack installation.

• Dot Release Guardian:

  • If the Communication Manager software Publication Date is 01 March 2013 (or any earlier date), the Communication Manager software is allowed, and no license error displays.

  • If the Communication Manager software Publication Date is 02 March 2013 (or any later date), Communication Manager enters in license error mode with a 30-day grace period.

The SED is the expiration date for the support entitlements based on your Software Support (SSI), Software Support Plus Upgrades (SSU), Support Advantage (SA) or co-delivery support contract (for example, Joint Services Delivery (JSD) or Partner Support Services (PSS)). If you have not purchased Avaya support coverage, the SED in the license file reflects a 90-day warranty period that starts when the license entitlements are first activated.

For more information about obtaining and installing the Communication Manager licenses, see Communication Manager license section.