The present invention is directed to a system, comprising: (i) first and second computational components 102a and b having, respectively, first and second unique identifiers; (ii) a license file 112 comprising third and fourth identifiers 212a and b respectively associated with the first and second computational components; (iii) a license manager 113 operable to (a) obtain, from the first and second computational components, the first and second unique identifiers, (b) access the license file to obtain the third and fourth identifiers, (c) compare each of the first and second unique identifiers with one or both of the third and fourth identifiers; and (iv) a mode setting agent 124 operable to permit the one or both of the first and second computational components to perform an operation, when both the first and second identifiers match one of the third and fourth identifiers, and not permit the first and second computational components to perform the operation, when only one of the first and second identifiers matches one of the third and fourth identifiers.

 
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> Method and apparatus for network assessment and authentication

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