Would it be worth installing Virtual Box, with expansion packs and guest additions, to try to get an Ilok dongle recognized on Linux? I would install Windows 7 on the host, Mint 21. I have several music library licenses on the Ilok. currently, I can use the software by putting the license on the cloud, but I would much prefer having it on the dongle. that way I don't have to be online, or subject to my rather shaky internet service, which goes out now and then.

I contacted Ilok to ask them to support Linux, but I'm not holding my breath on that one. They were polite, but I got the usual "there is currently no timeline for Linux compatibility." I also contacted Vienna Instruments, asking them to allow us to put the license on the machine, which would work (presumably - I have had success with that option with companies that do allow the machine-based option). They responded that this is for them a less secure option, so they don't allow it.

That leaves me with trying to get the dongle recognized and working on Linux. I would never attempt to tamper with the dongle's software. First, I wouldn't know how, and second it would probably result in the dongle wiping my licenses, and me being blacklisted by Ilok.

I am doubtful this can be done, probably because of driver issues. I could just go ahead and try, but if anyone can tell me it's a waste of time, they would be doing me a favor. I'd rather be working on my music. but offline, if possible.

Thanks,

michael

Not sure they can secure Windows 7 but it should work as you wish.

According to this thread a Hasp dongle worked so I would guess your should as well. Since its passthrough you should not need anything installed on host.

https://forums.virtualbox.org/viewtopic.php?p=514808

If you purchased this music, I'd personally get a cheap laptop at the thrift store with Windows on it, play the music via line out-to-line in and record it without any licenses at all. The entire thing is 100% shady with the 'licensing'...they WANT you to buy more ("Want the new format? It's another $ only!"), even though you bought one license...and have one copy of the song. This is along the same lines, and you're now having to do all this because they want to lock you into the keep-buying-things-you-don't-need cycle. This does NOT keep any serious pirates out of the game...it only annoys folks (like you) who want to do the right thing.

If you're not going to sell it, you are using the one license you're paying for, for each song. Play them guilt free. You should own what you bought.

I don't think I explained what I want to do very well, or else I have misunderstood the replies. I compose music on Linux Mint, using Reaper as my DAW. I have several music libraries that I draw from, such as East West, Vienna Instruments, Cine Samples, etc. I use Wine-Staging to install Ilok software, as well as the software for the libraries themselves. I also have to use Linvst to convert the plugins to the .so format. amazingly, this all works, and I have left Windows behind. Took a year or so to get it all set up. I have to be careful with updates, and I chose mint because it's so stable. I stay on the LTS version (Mint 21).

now, to use Vienna's instruments, I have to put the licenses on the cloud. I would rather not do that, it's less secure, vulnerable to interruptions etc. But Vienna won't let me put the license on the machine. so the dongles is the only other choice. So, my thought was, install Windows 7 as a virtual system, install Ilok, and put the license on the virtual Windows 7 system. Then, somehow, have Linux - the host - recognize the dongle, with the result that my licenses are available on Mint, through the dongle, which is plugged into my computer and working in the virtual Windows setup.

It's pretty crazy, I know, but if it could work it would be really cool. Being on the cloud makes nervous. I have windows 7 still available if for some reason I can't continue on Linux. Windows 10 and 11 I will not use. I've tried, I just can't hold my nose long enough, so to speak. But Reaper for Linux actually works better than the Windows version. My workflow is faster. I think at some point this will become possible. Maybe Ilok will change their mind about Linux. Who knows. but that's what I want to do, on the small chance that it's doable.

A VirtualBox VM is totally separate from the host and you can not share USB devices between the two.

I just assumed you were wanting to compose in Windows 7.

That's the answer I was looking for. Thanks, you saved me a lot of trouble. What I suspected, but worth a shot. Now I can forget about it, and hope that someday ilok dongles will work on Linux. Hopefully while I'm still around and composing.

Not sure I totally get the question. A VM generally can allow one to attach it to the guest.

The OP was wanting to know if it was possible to somehow access the license key via a Windows VM to run software on the Linux host.

OHHH., I thought he wanted to use a windows only program that needed a usb key.

As I understand it the OP is wanting to use a software package to which he has a ligament license however, the company tat sells said software is making it hard for him to do so as they are in a since tying him to Windows weather visualized or ran on bare metal.