# License Issues

This guide covers common license-related problems and their solutions.

> ⚠️ **IMPORTANT**: The license file must be kept EXACTLY as provided by the arb-assist team. Do NOT rename or modify the license file in any way. The filename format is: `license_username_serverIP_expiration.json`

## License Validation Errors

### Invalid License File

**Error**:

```
Error: Invalid license file
```

**Common Causes**:

1. Wrong IP address in license
2. License file not found
3. Corrupted license file
4. Expired license

**Solutions**:

1. **Verify server IP**:

```bash
# Check your server's public IP
curl ifconfig.me
# or
curl ipinfo.io/ip
# or
wget -qO- https://api.ipify.org
```

2. **Check license filename**:

```bash
# License filename format: license_username_serverIP_expiration.json
# Example: license_myusername_192.168.1.100_1234567890.json
# DO NOT rename the file - keep it exactly as provided
ls -la license_*.json
```

3. **Verify license location**:

```bash
# Must be in same directory as arb-assist
# Keep the license file in the same folder without moving it
pwd
ls -la arb-assist license_*.json
```

### License File Not Found

**Error**:

```
Error: Cannot find license file
```

**Troubleshooting Steps**:

1. **Check file exists**:

```bash
# Check for license file
find . -name "license_*.json" -type f

# Check current directory
ls -la | grep license
```

2. **Verify permissions**:

```bash
# License needs to be readable
chmod 644 license_*.json

# Check ownership
ls -la license_*.json
```

3. **Correct placement**:

```bash
# Ensure in same directory
cd /path/to/arb-assist
ls -la
# Should see both arb-assist and license_*.json
```

### IP Address Mismatch

**Error**:

```
Error: License not valid for this IP address
```

**Common Scenarios**:

1. **Dynamic IP changed**:
   * VPS provider assigned new IP
   * Server migration
   * Network configuration change
2. **NAT/Proxy issues**:
   * Behind NAT
   * Using VPN
   * Cloud provider networking

**Solutions**:

1. **Verify current IP**:

```bash
# External IP (what license should match)
curl ifconfig.me

# Internal IPs (for reference)
ip addr show
ifconfig
```

2. **Check for IP changes**:

```bash
# Check your license filename
ls license_*.json
# The IP in the filename should match your current server IP
# Example: license_myusername_192.168.1.100_1234567890.json
```

3. **Request new license**:
   * Contact support with new IP
   * Provide server details
   * Explain IP change reason

## License File Management

> ⚠️ **WARNING**: Never modify the license file content. Always keep the original file exactly as provided by the arb-assist team.

### Backup Procedures

Always backup your license:

1. **Local backup**:

```bash
# Create backup directory
mkdir -p ~/licenses/backup
cp license_*.json ~/licenses/backup/

# With timestamp
cp license_*.json ~/licenses/backup/license-$(date +%Y%m%d).bak
```

2. **Secure storage**:

```bash
# Encrypt before storing
tar -czf - license_*.json | gpg -c > license-backup.tar.gz.gpg

# Decrypt when needed
gpg -d license-backup.tar.gz.gpg | tar -xzf -
```

### Multiple Licenses

Managing licenses for multiple servers:

1. **Naming convention**:

```bash
licenses/
├── production/
│   └── license_produser_192.168.1.100_1234567890.json
├── staging/
│   └── license_staginguser_192.168.1.101_1234567891.json
└── development/
    └── license_devuser_192.168.1.102_1234567892.json
```

2. **Deployment script**:

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# deploy-license.sh
SERVER_IP=$(curl -s ifconfig.me)
# Find the license file for this IP
LICENSE_FILE=$(find licenses/production -name "license_*_${SERVER_IP}_*.json" | head -1)

if [ -f "$LICENSE_FILE" ]; then
    cp "$LICENSE_FILE" .
    echo "License deployed for IP: $SERVER_IP"
else
    echo "Error: No license found for IP: $SERVER_IP"
    exit 1
fi
```

### License Security

Protect your license files:

1. **File permissions**:

```bash
# Readable by user only
chmod 600 license_*.json

# Or readable by user and group
chmod 640 license_*.json
```

2. **Access control**:

```bash
# Create dedicated user
sudo useradd -r -s /bin/false arb-assist

# Set ownership
sudo chown arb-assist:arb-assist license_*.json
```

3. **Audit access**:

```bash
# Monitor license file access
auditctl -w /path/to/license.file -p r -k license_access

# View audit logs
ausearch -k license_access
```

## License Validation Process

### How License Validation Works

1. **arb-assist startup**:
   * Looks for license file matching pattern: license\_\*.json
   * Extracts IP from filename
   * Compares with server IP
   * Validates license content
2. **Validation checks**:
   * File integrity
   * IP address match
   * Expiration date (if applicable)
   * License signature

### Debugging License Issues

Enable verbose logging:

1. **Check startup logs**:

```bash
# Run manually to see all output
./arb-assist

# Look for license-related messages
[INFO] Looking for license file...
[INFO] Found license: license_username_serverIP_expiration.json
[INFO] Validating license...
[INFO] License valid
```

2. **Common error patterns**:

```
[ERROR] No license file found in current directory
[ERROR] License does not match server IP
[ERROR] License validation failed: Invalid signature
[ERROR] License expired on 2024-01-01
```

## Server Migration

When moving to a new server:

### Pre-migration Checklist

1. **Note current IP**:

```bash
echo "Current IP: $(curl -s ifconfig.me)"
```

2. **Backup current setup**:

```bash
tar -czf arb-assist-backup.tar.gz arb-assist config.toml license_*.json
```

3. **Request new license**:
   * Get new server IP
   * Contact support
   * Provide migration timeline

### Migration Process

1. **Setup new server**:

```bash
# Install dependencies
# Copy arb-assist binary
# Copy configuration
```

2. **Test with new license**:

```bash
# Don't delete old server yet
# Run test on new server
./arb-assist

# Verify it starts correctly
```

3. **Cutover**:

```bash
# Stop old instance
pm2 stop arb-assist

# Start new instance
pm2 start arb-assist
```

### Post-migration

1. **Verify operation**:
   * Check logs
   * Monitor performance
   * Ensure bot connects
2. **Cleanup**:
   * Remove old license
   * Update documentation
   * Notify team

## Cloud Provider Specifics

### AWS EC2

Elastic IPs and licensing:

```bash
# Check if using Elastic IP
aws ec2 describe-addresses --filters "Name=instance-id,Values=$(ec2-metadata --instance-id)"

# Note: Elastic IPs persist across restarts
```

### Google Cloud

External IPs:

```bash
# Get external IP
gcloud compute instances describe INSTANCE_NAME --format='get(networkInterfaces[0].accessConfigs[0].natIP)'
```

### DigitalOcean

Floating IPs:

```bash
# Check droplet IP
doctl compute droplet get DROPLET_ID --format PublicIPv4
```

## License Troubleshooting Checklist

When experiencing license issues:

* [ ] Verify server's external IP
* [ ] Check license file exists
* [ ] Confirm file follows naming format: license\_username\_serverIP\_expiration.json
* [ ] Verify file permissions (readable)
* [ ] Ensure in correct directory
* [ ] Check for error messages in logs
* [ ] Test with absolute path
* [ ] Verify no VPN/proxy active
* [ ] Confirm server time is correct
* [ ] Contact support if unresolved

## Getting Support

When contacting support:

1. **Provide information**:
   * Current server IP
   * License file exists (license\_username\_serverIP\_expiration.json)
   * Error messages
   * Server provider
   * Migration details (if applicable)
2. **Include diagnostics**:

```bash
# Create diagnostic report
echo "=== Diagnostic Report ===" > diagnostic.txt
echo "Date: $(date)" >> diagnostic.txt
echo "IP: $(curl -s ifconfig.me)" >> diagnostic.txt
echo "License file:" >> diagnostic.txt
ls -la license_*.json >> diagnostic.txt
echo "Directory contents:" >> diagnostic.txt
ls -la >> diagnostic.txt
echo "Error output:" >> diagnostic.txt
./arb-assist 2>&1 | head -20 >> diagnostic.txt
```

3. **Support channels**:
   * Discord: [Join Server](https://discord.gg/ADtnjdy5m5)
   * Include diagnostic report
   * Be patient for response

## Best Practices

1. **Never modify license files**: Keep them exactly as provided by arb-assist team
2. **Always backup licenses**: Before any changes
3. **Document IP addresses**: Keep record of licensed IPs
4. **Plan migrations**: Request new licenses in advance
5. **Monitor expiration**: If licenses have expiry dates
6. **Secure storage**: Protect license files
7. **Test thoroughly**: Before production deployment