What is a Host ID or Machine ID? How do I find my Host ID (Machine ID) in order to activate or get passcodes for my license?

Solution:

When a license file is generated for a specific computer, it is locked to a number that is unique to that machine. For some UNIX machines, the 32-bit hostid is used. For Linux, Mac, and Windows machines, the ethernet (MAC) address is used. Optionally, on Windows computers, the IP Address can also be used.

Instructions for finding your Host ID or Machine ID:
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Windows® (all)
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For standalone licenses (including the Student version), the Host ID can be either the volume serial number of the C:\ drive (Option 1), or the MAC Address (Physical Address) of the first Ethernet adapter (Option 2).

NOTE: For Concurrent or Network Named User licenses, the volume serial number cannot be used as the Host ID.

Option 1: Volume Serial Number (Standalone licenses & Student Version only)

To obtain the Volume Serial Number, open a Command Prompt window (click the Start Menu, go to All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt) and run the command:

vol c:

The Host ID will be "DISK_SERIAL_NUM=" and the volume serial number listed without the dashes (ex. DISK_SERIAL_NUM=1234abcd).

Option 2: MAC Address (Physical Address, All licenses)

To obtain the MAC Address, open a Command Prompt window, and run the command:

getmac

Use the first Physical Address listed without the dashes (ex. 001122aabbcc).

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Solaris™
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CPU hostid:

To get this value, run the following command in a Terminal Window:

hostid

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Linux®
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For a Linux machine, the Host ID is the MAC Address of the eth0 device (first Ethernet device). To obtain this value, run the following command in a Terminal window:

/sbin/ifconfig eth0

The Host ID will be the value listed next to the tag "HWaddr" without the colons.

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Mac OS® X
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For a Mac OS X machine, the Host ID is the MAC Address of the built in Ethernet device (en0). To obtain this value, use Terminal in /Applications/Utilities and run the command:

netstat -I en0

The Host ID is listed in the first row of the output, under the "Address" column without the colons.

For information on how to change a Host ID or transfer your license from one computer to another, see the related solution: "How do I transfer a license to a new server machine or host?"

For MATLAB & Simulink Student version users, instructions for transferring MATLAB to a new computer can be found in the related solution: "Can I transfer my MATLAB & Simulink Student Version to a new machine?"