why so many licenses version ?

[mataharry]

I saw old licenses file, and new ones since 4.2, I cannot tell which one works for a license-master.
Can I use a 4.2 license on Splunk 4.3 ?
Please explain all those formats

[yannK · Accepted solution]

I agree, the Splunk license versions can be confusing.

They are 3 historical formats for the license keys: 3.* 4.* and 4.2.*

they were named with the version when they were introduced.

• Splunk 3.* accepts only 3.* licenses format
• Splunk 4.0 and 4.1 accept only 4.* licenses format
• Splunk 4.2 and 4.3 and later accept both 4.* and 4.2.* license formats.

And since 4.2 you can use a license master.