Backup and Restore
When HCL Local License Server (LLS) is uninstalled using the uninstall.bat/sh file, the license files, logs, TLS certificate, and port setting are saved to a backup directory. The installer can restore them during the next installation instead of requiring the server to be configured again.
When a backup is created
A backup is created automatically only in the following situations:
- When LLS is uninstalled using the uninstall.bat file on Windows or the uninstall.sh file on Linux.
- When an existing installation is upgraded using the version upgrade process. A backup of the earlier version is created, and it stays in the backup directory after the upgrade completes.
If the installation directory is deleted or the service is removed manually, the license files and TLS certificate are lost, with no backup to restore from.
On Linux, change to the LLS installation directory before you run the uninstall.sh file. The backup is taken from the directory the file is run from, so running it from any other location produces an empty backup.
Where the backup is stored
| Operating system | Backup directory |
|---|---|
| Windows | C:\HCL-LLS-Backup |
| Linux | /opt/HCL-LLS-Backup |
Each backup is stored in a folder named after the version and the date and time of creation, in the format hcl_lls_version_backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMM. For example:
hcl_lls_5.3.0_backup_20251105_1532Only the most recent backup is retained. Any earlier backup in the backup directory is deleted when a new one is created. To keep a particular backup, copy it to another location before running the uninstall.bat/sh file again.
What is included in the backup
- License files
- Log files
- The TLS certificate and key
- The port number on which LLS was running
Restoring a backup
During installation, the installer checks the backup directory. If a backup is found, its name and date are displayed and a prompt to restore it appears:
Backup found: hcl_lls_5.3.0_backup_20251105_1532 (Date: 20251105_1532)
Do you want to restore [certificates, licenses, logs, port] from hcl_lls_5.3.0_backup_20251105_1532? (Y/N):Type Y to restore the backup, or N to continue with a fresh installation.
When the backup is restored:
- The license files and logs are copied into the new installation.
- The TLS certificate and key are restored, and the certificate and key prompts are skipped.
- The saved port number is used. If that port is already in use on the machine, a prompt for a different port appears.
If the backup is not restored, the installer prompts for the TLS certificate, key, and port as it does during any new installation.
Restored files are recorded in the LLS logs, in hcl_lls.log and hcl_lls_features.log.
On Windows Server, run the following command as an administrator after the backup is restored, and then restart the service, so that the log files continue to be updated.
icacls "<lls_install_directory>" /grant "*S-1-5-19:(OI)(CI)M" /TFor more information, see Troubleshooting.
Fingerprint and license files after a restore
A fingerprint is generated each time LLS is installed. Restoring a backup does not preserve the previous fingerprint.
The fingerprint remains the same only if both the network adapter used to generate it and the port number are unchanged. If either has changed, the restored license files no longer match, and a new license file must be generated from MHS using the new fingerprint. See Post-installation: Generating the license file.
For guidance on selecting a stable network adapter and resolving fingerprint mismatches, see Troubleshooting HCL Local License Server.
Backup and restore during a Version Upgrade
An upgrade differs from an ordinary installation in two ways. No restore prompt is displayed — the backup is always restored, so the license files, logs, TLS certificate, and port carry over to the new version. And the backup folder is named after the version that was replaced, not the version being installed. For example, an upgrade from 5.2 produces:
C:\HCL-LLS-Backup\hcl_lls_5.2_backup_20251105_1532