iLok to eLicenser update - re-downloading libraries

[richardjenkins]

I've been away from my Vienna system for quite a long time and am just trying to update it.  In particular, I have just switched from eLicenser to iLok.  I notice that all the sample libraries have to be re-downloaded and re-installed for iLok (stop me if I'm wrong).  My 1TB SSD disk containing my existing sample libraries is almost full so I have nowhere to download the new libraries.

My HP Z240 computer running Windows 10 does not appear to have a second M.2 SSD slot so I'm not sure how to attach another 2TB SSD disk drive yet.  I need to work out what sort of alternative disk interface I could use - i.e. what my computer supports and if it has any spare slots - and maintain a reasonable speed.  Highest USB port level is 3.0 on this computer.  I hope I don't have to buy a whole new computer just to support this licensing change!

I'm just looking for sympathy here - has anyone else been in a similar position?

Regards, Richard.

[Andreas8420]

Hi Richard,

Many people use external USB 3 SSDs - that's totally fine. But please mind the right file formats:

https://www.vsl.info/en/tutorials/faqs/technical#hard-drive-format

Depending on the number of libraries, it might make sense to plan a bit and have the downloads running overnight or on the weekend. A feature also allows you to remove old eLicenser content if you no longer plan on using it.

Best,
Andreas

[Cyril Blanc]

If you can change your M2 to a 4TB 😊 It is much faster that the external SSD that read around 500 MB/s

You will be able to use your 2TB M2 in an USB 3 or USB C adaptor (30€)

Its much better to have a fiber connection 😊😊 to do your transfer

I did my transfer in several nights as I had 1,46 TB to transfer 

If your libs stand on your 2 TB M2, you do the transfer a few libs at a time and you delete the old libs you had transfer, This is what I done because I did not had 1,46 TB free on my 4 TB MacBook Pro 

Good luck

[richardjenkins]

I backed off the eLicenser contents of my internal SATA 1TB SSD drive to an LTO-5 tape drive, then wiped the SSD so I could use the space.  It was SATA not M2.

After a bulk installation to the SSD, the 292GB download expanded to 676 GB.  Download speed about 6MB per sec.  Took about 14 hours to complete the installation.  Went without any problems. 

I do have a spare M2 PCIe3.0 x 4 slot so I'll look for a new 2TB SSD for future expansion.  It appears you can put a PCIe 4.0 device into a PCIe 3.0 M2 slot albeit at the speed of the 3.0.

Now to look at the new licensing requirements for Cubase.

I wonder if I need to keep the eLicenser data?  Will old projects find iLok data seamlessly?

Regards, Richard.

[Cyril Blanc]

M2 on my 2019 Mac Pro is around 2500 Mb/s R/W

SSD are around 500 Mb/s

 

Now in 2023,  M2 are going to more than 6 000 Mb/s

You should look for disk test programs, On Mac we have "BlackMagic disk test speed"

You have a screen copy attached