Abstract: An electronic device (for example, a NIC card) can perform a base function (for example, “dumb” NIC functionality) and also has specialized hardware for performing an enhanced function (for example, TCP offload functionality). Initially, the electronic device is capable of performing the base function but the enhanced function is disabled. The electronic device is priced to be price competitive with other devices that perform the base function but not the enhanced function. By this pricing, large numbers of the electronic devices are disseminated into the marketplace. Once an electronic device has been disseminated and supplied to a user, the user can make an additional payment to have the enhanced function enabled. In one embodiment, a user who pays for the enhanced functionality accesses a web-based license manager and receives a license key. The license key is usable to write a capabilities code into the electronic device that enables the enhanced function.

Abstract: An electronic device (for example, a NIC card) can perform a base function (for example, “dumb” NIC functionality) and also has specialized hardware for performing an enhanced function (for example, TCP offload functionality). Initially, the electronic device is capable of performing the base function but the enhanced function is disabled. The electronic device is priced to be price competitive with other devices that perform the base function but not the enhanced function. By this pricing, large numbers of the electronic devices are disseminated into the marketplace. Once an electronic device has been disseminated and supplied to a user, the user can make an additional payment to have the enhanced function enabled. In one embodiment, a user who pays for the enhanced functionality accesses a web-based license manager and receives a license key. The license key is usable to write a capabilities code into the electronic device that enables the enhanced function.