We have license based on a USB hardware key.

It is a perpetual license, so I'd like to know if a new hardware key is needed once we renew for another year.

I hope this helps you:

Chapter 8.11 Gen1 token activation and renewal (Page 169)
http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/redbooks/pdfs/sg248205.pdf

Would the license provider automatically send the ZIP file after license is renewed or is there a need to send some form of request ?

I found this for ZD&T Personal Edition:

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSTQBD_12.0.0/com.ibm.zdt.install.doc/topics/activate_USB_pe.html

Returning an existing license key
For perpetual license entitlements, USB hardware device activations are set to expire one year from the date that an update file is generated. For this type of entitlement, you can return previously generated update files at any time, and generate a new update file.

When I login to the license key center I don't have an option to generate a new key although

it says the license is permanent.

IBM Z DEVELOPMENT AND TEST ENVIRONMENT PERSONAL EDITION (AU) SINGLE INSTALL 

Part Number:D0M1VLL

License Key Expiration:permanent

Original Maintenance End DateOct 31, 2018

Sales Order Number:0060xxxxxx

Purchase Order Number:PCAxxxxxxxx

Order Quantity:1

   IBM Z Development and Test Environment Personal Edition Authorized User Single Install License  

   0 Available

I suspect that you might have not returned the license. Please return as mentioned in this step https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSTQBD_12.0.1/com.ibm.zdt.install.doc/topics/RDTAG37.html

Thanks,

Neeraj Kumar

No I did not return the existing license key because no one so far told me that it is required. (including IBM tech support) 

Once I return the current key, how is a new one obtained?

Will returning the key stop active ZD&T systems ?

based on the conversation, you would like to renew for another year. So, you need to return the license and apply it again. It won't affect your running ZDT. As you are running hardware based license server, you don't need to generate the file.

I am aware the license is hardware based but at ZDT system startup I see the following message:

CPU 0, zPDTA(1091) available and working. Serial=xxxx(0xnnnn) Lic=xxxx(0xnnnn) EXP=11/23/2018 SHK

Doesn't this message imply that after 11/23/2018 the system will not run anymore ?

Also having a similar problem with another system but will start another thread for that. As far as I can tell, support for hardware based system was discontinued in November 2017:

https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=AN&subtype=CA&htmlfid=899/ENUSLP16-0635

We have a RD&T 9.5 system with hardware token and cannot get a license past November of this year for it.

Sebastian

the link you posted is meant for the products from withdrawal will not be available for sale, they are still supported until we have the withdrawal from support ( the when depends if it is extended support or not ). RD&T 9.5 has extended support , meaning it will be support at least until May 2021.

have you contacted IBM support with regards to your license issue ? 

that's right, you need to log in to your RLKC , return your license and re-generate a new license file . This is an annual exercise that you will have to do even though you have a perpetual license. 

how to return a hardware based license is documented in the page posted by Neeraj.   https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSTQBD_12.0.1/com.ibm.zdt.install.doc/topics/RDTAG37.html

hope this helps