---
title: 'Tutorial: Activate a Fixed License Key Using the Command-line Interface'
canonical: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/tutorials/tutorial--activate-fixed-license-cli/
product: Access Server Docs
description: Access Server provides an option for offline activations using fixed license keys. This tutorial shows how to activate on the CLI.
---

# Tutorial: Activate a Fixed License Key Using the Command-line Interface

## Overview

Access Server provides an option for offline activations using fixed license keys. This tutorial shows how to activate one via the command-line interface (CLI). These are the basic activation commands.

For a detailed tutorial outlining all of the necessary steps for offline activation, refer to this link:

- [Tutorial: Perform an Offline Activation with a Fixed License Key](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/tutorials/tutorial--offline-activation.md)

## Prerequisites

- An installed Access Server.
- An OpenVPN.net account on the [Access Server portal](https://myaccount.openvpn.com/signin?explicitProductSelect=true&product=as).
- Console access and the ability to get root access.

## Step 1: Purchase a fixed license

> **Important**
>
> We recommend purchasing a subscription, but a fixed license key is still available for specific use cases. Follow these steps if you still wish to proceed with purchasing a fixed license key.

1. [Sign in or create a new account](https://myaccount.openvpn.com/product-select) on our website for the Access Server product.
2. Click **Activation Keys**.
3. Click **Purchase a New Key**.
4. Scroll down and click **Read More**.

   > **Tip**
   >
   > We recommend purchasing a subscription license rather than a fixed license key, so you have this extra step to switch to purchasing a fixed license key.
5. Review the message about subscriptions and click **Purchase a License Key**.
6. Select your desired connections and click **Purchase**.
7. Complete the secure checkout.
8. Copy the fixed license key for your new license.

## Step 2: Activate on the CLI

1. Sign into your server with root access.
2. Navigate to the Access Server scripts directory:

   ```
   cd /usr/local/openvpn_as/scripts/
   ```
3. Activate the fixed license key:

   ```
   ./liman Activate "LICE-NSEK-EYIN-HERE"
   ```

---

Prev: [Tutorial: Activate a Fixed License Key Using the Admin Web UI](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/tutorials/tutorial--activate-fixed-license.md)
Next: [Tutorial: Perform an Offline Activation with a Fixed License Key](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/v3/tutorials/tutorial--offline-activation.md)
Index: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/llms.txt