ReadySuite 9 Upgrade Guide

This guide is for Network license customers upgrading from ReadySuite 8 to ReadySuite 9. It covers two steps: updating the licensing service on the server (likely a system administrator task), and updating the ReadySuite install on each workstation.

Note: If you are on a Machine/Workstation license, this guide does not apply. You can install ReadySuite 9 as you would any prior release — your existing serial remains valid and no reactivation is required.

When should I update to ReadySuite 9?

We recommend updating as soon as possible. ReadySuite 8 will not receive new features or bug fixes — active development has moved entirely to ReadySuite 9. While we will make reasonable efforts to assist with critical issues on ReadySuite 8 in the near term, customers should begin planning their upgrade now before the next license renewal.

Part 1: ReadySuite Admin (formerly ReadyLicense)

This section is for the system administrator responsible for updating and managing the centralized licensing server.

What Changed

The move to .NET 10 required an architectural change to the licensing service. ReadyLicense is not compatible with ReadySuite 9 and must be replaced by ReadySuite Admin before any workstation can use ReadySuite 9 on a Network license.

We also renamed the tool from ReadyLicense to ReadySuite Admin, as we plan to expand its functionality beyond licensing in future releases.

Before You Start

Confirm you have the following before beginning:

  • ReadySuite 9 installer — for workstation installs after the licensing service is updated. Download from https://www.kldiscovery.com/software/readysuite/download

  • ReadySuite Admin installer — download from https://www.kldiscovery.com/software/readysuite/download

  • Your license serial — the same serial previously used to activate ReadyLicense; you will need to re-enter it during ReadySuite Admin license activation

  • Internet access on the licensing server — required for online activation. If the machine does not have internet access, prepare to activate offline using the self-service tool at https://authentication.compiled.com/AuthenticateFile.aspx

  • Plan for downtime — while the upgrade is straightforward and easy, you will still experience an interruption between uninstalling ReadyLicense and completing the ReadySuite Admin activation and ReadySuite 9 setup. No workstations will be able to obtain a license during this window. Schedule the upgrade at a time that minimizes impact to active users.

It is also recommended to install the .NET 10 Desktop Runtime on the licensing server machine ahead of time rather than relying on the bundled installer to handle it. This reduces the chance of installation issues on machines with restricted environments or limited permissions. Download it directly from Microsoft at https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/10.0.

Step 1 — Uninstall ReadyLicense

On the machine running the ReadyLicense service, uninstall it through Add or Remove Programs (or your organization's standard software removal process) before installing anything else. You may want to open services.msc and stop the ReadySuite Licensing Service before running the uninstall.

Step 2 — Install ReadySuite Admin

Download and install ReadySuite Admin on the same machine that previously ran ReadyLicense.

Step 3 — Activate ReadySuite Admin

Open ReadySuite Admin using the Start menu shortcut. Go to Register > Install Serial and enter your existing serial. You do not need a new serial — the same one provided at the time of purchase is used here.

The default port is 19399, unchanged from ReadyLicense. Confirm this port allows inbound connections through the firewall on the licensing server machine.

Part 1 FAQ

Do I need a new serial for ReadySuite Admin?

No. Your existing serial is used to activate ReadySuite Admin. You will need to re-enter it after installation, but no new serial will be issued.

Can I run ReadyLicense and ReadySuite Admin on the same machine at the same time?

No. The two tools cannot coexist. Uninstall ReadyLicense before installing ReadySuite Admin.

What port does ReadySuite Admin use?

The default port is 19399, unchanged from ReadyLicense. This must allow inbound connections through the firewall on the machine running ReadySuite Admin. If you previously configured ReadyLicense on a non-default port, you will need to reconfigure it in ReadySuite Admin after installation.

Is ReadySuite Admin compatible with ReadySuite 8.x?

No. ReadySuite Admin requires ReadySuite 9 or later. The move to Microsoft .NET 10 introduced architectural changes that are not backward compatible with ReadySuite 8. If you are still on ReadySuite 8, continue using ReadyLicense until you are ready to upgrade.

Part 2: ReadySuite Client (Workstation Install)

Once Part 1 is complete, install or upgrade ReadySuite 9 on each workstation as normal. No additional configuration is required on the workstation side in most cases.

If ReadySuite Admin was installed on the same machine as ReadyLicense (same IP and hostname), workstations will connect to it automatically. If the licensing server moved to a new machine or IP address, the NETWORK.lic file on each workstation will need to be updated to reflect the new LicenseServerAddress before ReadySuite 9 will obtain a license.

ReadySuite 9 runs on .NET 10. The runtime is bundled with the installer, so no separate installation is required on workstations.

NETWORK.lic Reference

ReadySuite stores the network license configuration at the machine level using the NETWORK.lic file, located at:

C: > ProgramData > Compiled > ReadySuite

This file is created automatically when you activate within the ReadySuite application interface. Network administrators can open NETWORK.lic and modify the LicenseServerAddress and LicenseServerPort values to deploy a new configuration across machines.

Copy

Example NETWORK.lic file:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<AppLicenseSettings xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <LicenseUseFloating>true</LicenseUseFloating>
  <LicenseServerAddress>10.10.100.10</LicenseServerAddress>
  <LicenseServerPort>19399</LicenseServerPort>
  <BackupLicenseServerPort>19399</BackupLicenseServerPort>
</AppLicenseSettings>

Part 2 FAQ

Is ReadySuite 9 compatible with ReadyLicense?

No. ReadySuite 9 requires ReadySuite Admin. If the licensing server has not been updated yet, ReadySuite 9 workstations will not be able to obtain a license. Complete Part 1 before deploying ReadySuite 9 to workstations.

What happens if I install ReadySuite 9 on a workstation before the system administrator completes Part 1?

ReadySuite 9 will not be able to obtain a license from the old ReadyLicense service. Part 1 of this guide must be completed first.

Do I need to update the NETWORK.lic file on workstations?

Only if the licensing server moved to a new machine or IP address. If the server IP and hostname are unchanged, workstations will connect to ReadySuite Admin automatically once Part 1 is complete.

Need Help?

Contact support at support@ediscovery.com.