# Cognex Designer Security

To successfully launch the Cognex Designer application in either development and/or deployment modes, the correct version of VisionPro software, device and security licenses must be installed.

- At startup, Cognex Designer will check to see that the correct version of VisionPro and Designer security licenses are installed.

  If the appropriate version of VisionPro is not installed, a warning dialog will be displayed, indicating that the necessary version of VisionPro (and the appropriate drivers) needs to be installed. Designer will then close.

- The security mechanism also requires having one of the following devices present on the PC with Designer and VisionPro installed:

  - A Cognex frame grabber installed on the PC
  - A Cognex Communication Card installed in the PC

  - A Cognex USB security key attached to the PC

    Note: The Cognex Vision Controller includes a built-in security device; no USB security key is needed.

- If the appropriate Designer security license is missing, a warning dialog will be displayed indicating the missing license, and then Designer will close.

  The required security licenses are "Cognex Designer Development License" and "Cognex Designer Deployment License":

  - Cognex Designer Development License: This security license covers the use of Designer in development mode. Without this license present, you cannot launch the Designer application.

  - Cognex Designer Deployment License: This security license covers the use of Designer in deployment mode. Without this license present, you cannot deploy and run a Designer project.

    Development License Present | Deployment License Present | Designer Behavior
    --- | --- | ---
    |  | When neither of the licenses are present, Designer will not run in either development or deployment modes.
    X |  | When only the Development license is present, Designer will run in both development and deployment modes, but Test Mode and Deployment Mode will timeout after running for 8 hours. You will be able to click the Test Mode button again to get another 8 hours of operation (Designer will stop in another 8 hours). In addition, you can create and launch a deployed project, but it will automatically display a message dialog and close after 8 hours.
    | X | When only the Deployment license is present, a Designer project can be deployed, without timing out, but the Designer application will not run.
    X | X | When both licenses are present, Designer will run in both development and deployment modes without timing out.

Related Topics The following topic can be referenced in the VisionPro® Online Documentation: Understanding VisionPro Security