Скачать или смотреть PC Guard: Redistributables

This video provides a comprehensive analysis of the redistributable files required for applications protected by SOFPRO's PC Guard software. While PC Guard embeds its core protection and licensing code directly into the protected application, certain configurations and features necessitate the distribution of additional files. The primary redistributable is the Interface DLL (iDLL for 32-bit, iDLL64 for 64-bit), which provides default user interface dialogs and is mandatory for features like remote protection, password protection, and demo mode.

Furthermore, applications utilizing ACEN Licensing require specific modules depending on the chosen web interface. The Web API interface uses a special, all-in-one version of the Interface DLL (iDLLwa/iDLL64wa), while the SOAP interface requires separate web service modules and C++ redistributables. Critically, distributing the exact version of these modules that corresponds to the version of PC Guard used for protection is essential to prevent runtime errors. PC Guard includes an "Auto copy required modules" setting to help automate the process of identifying and staging the correct files.

1. Core Principles of Redistributables

While the primary protection code is automatically embedded into the final application during the protection process, specific project settings may require additional files to be packaged and distributed with the software.

• Embedded vs. External Code: The core logic for protection and licensing is self-contained within the protected application. Redistributable files provide supplementary functionality, primarily related to user interface and remote activation services.

• Automated File Management: PC Guard provides a system setting named "Auto copy required modules". When enabled, this feature automatically identifies the necessary redistributable modules for a given project and copies them to the application's output directory during the protection process.

2. The Interface DLL Module (iDLL / iDLL64)

The most common redistributable is the Interface DLL, which contains the default user interface resources, such as dialog boxes, for the protected application.

Purpose and Versions

• Functionality: Provides default UI dialogs for interactions with the end-user.

• Versions: The module is available in two versions, corresponding to the application architecture:
◦ iDLL: 32-bit version, used with PC Guard for Win32 and PC Guard for .NET.
◦ iDLL64: 64-bit version, used with PC Guard for Win64 and PC Guard for .NET64.

Distribution Requirements and Conditions

The Interface DLL is not always required. It must be distributed with the protected application only under the following circumstances:

• Remote protection is enabled.
• Password protection is enabled.
• The application uses a demo mode.
• The alternate protection interface is enabled.

PC Guard automatically determines if the Interface DLL is required and notes this in the protection report.

Deployment and Error Handling

• Location: The Interface DLL must be located in the same directory as the protected application executable.

• Version Matching: It is critical to distribute the exact version of the Interface DLL that was included with the version of PC Guard used for protection.

• Error Messages: Failure to comply with these requirements will result in specific runtime errors:

◦ "Interface DLL is missing": This error is displayed if the protected application cannot find or load the DLL.

◦ 'Wrong version of interface dll!': This error appears if the application detects an incorrect version of the DLL.

• Registration: The Interface DLL does not require server registration.

Customization and Alternatives

Developers have options to modify or replace the functionality of the default Interface DLL:

• Custom Filenames: The default name of the DLL can be changed in the customization settings.

• Custom Dialogs: The default dialogs can be replaced with custom-built ones using the "custom dialogs" feature.

• Advanced Protection Interface: The user interface can be managed entirely through advanced protection interface functions, which may eliminate the need for the Interface DLL altogether.