text: **12.3 Activating encryption**
  
  Encryption is enabled at a system level and all of the following prerequisites must be met to 
  use encryption: 
  
  (cid:2) You must purchase an encryption license before you activate the function. 
  
  If you did not purchase a license, contact an IBM marketing representative or IBM 
  Business Partner to purchase an encryption license. 
  
  (cid:2) At least three USB flash drives are required if you plan to*not*use a key management 
  server. They are available as a feature code from IBM. 
  
  (cid:2) You must activate the license that you purchased. 
  
  (cid:2) Encryption must be enabled. 
  
  Activation of the license can be performed in one of two ways: 
  
  (cid:2) Automatic activation: Used when you have the authorization code and the workstation that 
  is being used to activate the license has access to external network. In this case, you must 
  enter only the authorization code. The license key is automatically obtained from the 
  internet and activated in the IBM Spectrum Virtualize system. 
  
  (cid:2) Manual activation: If you cannot activate the license automatically because any of the 
  
  requirements are not met, you can follow the instructions that are provided in the GUI to 
  obtain the license key from the web and activate in the IBM Spectrum Virtualize system. 