Administer Network Licenses
Organizations that need to license multiple users for MATLAB ® often use a network license, either a Network Named User license (which specifically names users who can use the software) or a Concurrent license (which provides a certain number of keys to use MATLAB). A Campus-wide license may be used at educational institutions.
Although organizations may have a mix of individual and network licenses, network licenses must be managed by a network license manager. The network license manager takes care of managing license resources. You can install and run the network license manager on a dedicated license server or on the cloud, depending on your MATLAB configuration. If you are installing on a license server, verify that your license server meets the MATLAB License Manager Requirements.
Topics
Set Up License Server
- Install License Manager on License Server
Install the network license manager on a license server. - Configure License Manager as Service
Configure license manager as a service to manage network licenses; remove license manager as a service. - Start Network License Manager
Start the network license manager on the license server. - Install Documentation on Network Server
Install documentation on a network machine for all users to access. (Since R2023a)
Deploy Products
- Install Products on Client Machines
Review MATLAB installation options for license administrators with a network license. - Have End Users Install Products
Help users on a network license install software on their computers.
Configure User Licenses
- Concurrent License Administration
Control access to license keys for MathWorks ® products. - Network Named User License Administration
Set up access to MathWorks products by user name. - Update or Modify Network License Files
Learn how to read, use, and modify network licenses (for network license administrators or system administrators only). - Borrow Licenses
Set up and use the license borrowing capability in a Concurrent or Network Named User configuration. - Master Licenses
Describes a Master License and its benefits.
Manage License Server
- Update Network License Manager Software
Download the executables for running the network license manager. - Monitor Network License Manager
Use FLEXlm ® utilities to manage the network license manager. - Uninstall Network License Manager
Remove the network license manager from the license server.
Virtual Machines and Cloud Deployment
- Configure License Manager for MATLAB on Cloud Platforms
When running MATLAB and other MathWorks products on cloud platforms, you can configure the license server to run locally or on the cloud. - Connect License Server with MATLAB on the Cloud
Configure the network license manager on your current license server for use with MATLAB running on cloud platforms such as Amazon ® Web Services (AWS) and Azure ® . - Install License Manager on Virtual Machine
Install the network license manager on a virtual machine for use with Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Azure.- Run Network License Manager from Azure Marketplace
- Run License Manager Using Azure
- Run License Manager Using Amazon Web Services
Installing a Network License
Network licenses (also known as floating licenses) allow multiple users to share a limited pool of licenses in a local network. After installing the License Server on the computer being used as a server, the server will handle requests for licenses from users computers. If you have a team of 20 people and 10 licenses for a product, the entire team will share access to the 10 licenses, while no more than 10 people can use the software at the same time.
While Stand-alone licenses use a license file installed and activated for each computer, and can be used only in that machine, network licenses are installed and activated only one time on your server. When a license request arrives, the server determines whether the proper license for a requested product is available. If an appropriate license is present and not in use, the server will allow access to the software.
As the licenses are stored on a server, you cannot use the software if you are not connected to the network. Although the server software does not require a powerful system, it is mandatory that the computer hosting the license server be running and available while there are computers using the licensed software.
In order to deploy Network Licenses you must:
- Install the License Server in the server computer.
- Install and activate one or more Network Licenses in the server using the License Manager.
- Configure each client to retrieve the licenses from the license server.
Can I open scenes which use the plugin in computers that don’t have an active license?
Yes. You can open and work with the scenes no problem, but the objects cannot be edited or rendered and in RailClone 4 and later will not display in the viewports.
Installation Procedure
Installing the License Server
To be able to use network licenses, a computer in the network must be designated as the license server. Once you have selected it:
- First make sure that your have administrative rights on the target computer.
- Download the License Server software from the links you received after purchasing the software (in the registration email).
- Run the setup program and follow the steps.
The License Server will be installed as a system service named «Itoo Software License Server». A shortcut to the License Manager is also created on the start menu.
Installing the License Manager
You must use this tool to manage the licenses of all products purchased. It’s the same one used to manage the Stand-alone licenses.To use it, select the License Manager in the Itoo Software/ License Server group of the Start menu. There are four tabs in this tool, two of them are only available if you have a license server installed:
- Licenses: On this page the licenses are listed and managed
- Computers (only with License Server installed): Here you can see which computers are connected and manage them.
- License Server: (only with License Server installed) On this page, the system administrator controls the License Server. You can check the status of the service, start and stop it.
- About: Here you can find information version and contact information.
Licenses
When opened, the License Manager displays the installed licenses. You can retrieve license details, check its status, activate it, or add new licenses as shown below:
Licenses can appear in different states, depending on the type of license and its activation status:
Activated Stand-alone licenses: Shown in black text, these licenses are not used by the License Server (see Stand-alone license ).
Activated Network Licenses: Shown in blue text, these licenses are activated are ready to be shared on the network.
Un-activated licenses: Red text with a warning icon, these licenses are valid but have not yet been activated. You must activate them before using.
Broken licenses: Red text with an error icon . These licenses have corrupted data and can’t be used in any form. They must be reinstalled.
To obtain more information about a license, use the Details. button, here you can see the data stored on it.
Installation of new network licenses
Unlike Stand-alone licenses, that are authorized for use only on a single workstation (the computer on which its installed), a network license allows for concurrent usage for a specific number of workstations. This number is shown in the license’s details as «Licensed for x users». For instance, if you purchase 5 network licenses, you won’t receive 5 separate license codes, you will only receive one code that once installed creates a license for 5 users in the License Manager. Later, if you purchase licenses for 3 additional workstations, you will receive a new license code for 3 users, that must be added in the License Manager.
When you acquire licenses from Itoo Software, in the e-mail you get the license code, as a block of letters and numbers. To install it, use the «Add» button on the Licenses tab. Copy and paste the code in the window. Please be sure that you do not include any text other than the code itself:
If the entered code is valid, press Ok. The license is installed on your computer and ready to be activated.
License activation
The activation process is identical for Network as for Stand-alone licenses. The difference is that the network licenses are activated and linked to the hardware of the License Server.After a new license is installed, you’ll be asked to start the activation wizard. You can activate manually using the «Activate» button as well. Please, see the activation process in Stand-alone licenses for instructions on how to do this.
Computers
In the «Computers» panel, you can see all clients that are connected to the server, what licenses are being used and how long each computer has been connected.
Each time that a workstation uses a network license, it connects to the License Server and starts a lease of the license for a limited time period. Before that period expires (by default ten minutes), the license must be refreshed or the lease will be lost and the license can be requested by another user.Using the «Disconnect» button you can force the server to disconnect a computer before the lease time expires. The typical use of this control is when a workstation has locked up, and it’s license is locked to that computer. In this case, you can unlock the license by manually forcing a disconnection. If a workstation doesn’t reply after the lease time period, it is disconnected automatically by the server.License ServerOn the «License Server» page, you can check the status of the service, start and stop it. A detailed log of the server activity is also available, to diagnose any problems.
The top panel shows information about the Windows service, whether it’s installed correctly and if the service is started. Using the «Start/Stop Server» button you can stop the service and restart it at any time, please note that if you stop the service, all connected clients will lose their leased licenses and will try to reconnect.The bottom panels gives you more detailed information about the service, such as the server version, TCP ports used and the total number of connected users. This data is updated each time you enter this tab, or by clicking the «Refresh» button.
Configure Clients
A network license can be used from any computer that can connect to the License Server over the network. The license server or network licenses should not be installed on the client computer. To configure your software for using network licenses, please follow the procedure below :From the Start menu, search for the application group and select «Change License Mode». You will get the license configuration window:
In this window, you select with type of license the software will use. The first option uses a locally installed Stand-alone license . Selecting the second option, the software will use network licenses. You will be asked how to connect to the license server in this dialog box:
The first method is the recommended procedure, the client will search for an active server over the local network using a broadcast query. The server will be located each time that a license is needed by the software. If the server is accessed through a router, and the automatic method doesn’t work, you must use the manual configuration and enter the IP address used to retrieve the license.Please note: If you have installed multiple commercial Itoo Software products, each one has its own license configuration. You can use one product with a Stand-alone license, and another with a corporate network license. Please make sure that each product is configured to use its license correctly. Accessing the License Server through a FirewallThe License Server installer checks for the Windows Firewall and adds the necessary rules if it is present. If you use another firewall software, or a physical firewall between the server and the client computers, the following ports must be opened:
- TCP Port 16720
- UDP Port 16720
- Overview
- Installation Procedure
- Installing the License Server
- Installing the License Manager
- Configure Clients
What is Network Licensing?
Network licensing is based on client/server architecture, where licenses are placed on a centralized system in the subnet. On this computer, the Sentinel RMS License Manager must be running to serve license requests received from clients.
The main difference between activating software that uses a network license rather than a standalone license is that the license code must reside on the system where the License Manager runs. This may not necessarily be the system where client application will be used.
For network licenses, you may be required to provide a locking code for the system where the License Manager will run.
How to install and use a network license
With a network license, you can use the software on several computers on a network.
Note: The number of computers that can use the software simultaneously depends on the number of “seats” purchased with the network license.
The system installation is composed of 2 steps:
You will need
• Your Network protection key:
– USB protection key (red or white dongle)
• The software installation files:
– Download MOUNTAINS.ZIP from: digitalsurf.com/support/software-updates/ *
– Unzip them on the hard disk drive, a USB key, or a CD.
• Your Product installation code (6 digits) *
• An up-to-date Internet browser (Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer) to access the Sentinel Admin Control Center to configure the USB protection key.
• Administrator rights on the server and the computers
* LogIn, Password and Installation code can be found in the email you received. If in doubt, please contact your distributor.
Technical requirements
- The Firewall on the computer/server hosting the protection key must allow incoming TCP connections on port 1947 and UDP connections on port 475 only if “Hasp Loader” installation is required on the computer/server hosting the network protection key (see below the server installation steps). Configure your Firewall accordingly.
- If your protection key is hosted on a server:
The “Sentinel License Manager” is compatible with network protocol TCP/IP for Microsoft servers 2012 R2, 2016, 2019, 2022, Win 10 IoT Entreprise 2019 LTSC, Win 10 Version 21H2 and Windows 11. - The computers running the software must be part of the same network as the computer/server hosting the network protection key.
- For system requirements for installing the software, seeTechnical Specifications.
Installation and configuration of the computer/server hosting the network key
1. Install the HASP drivers for the USB protection key.
Note: Installing the drivers will also install the “Sentinel Admin Control Center”, for configuration.
Note: These drivers or services may also be called “Sentinel LDK License Manager”, or “RTE (Run-time environment)”, “Run-time installer”.To install, re-install or update the drivers, go to the folder with the software installation files > Hasp folder.
Right-click and run (as administrator): reinstall_hasp_run_as_admin.bat
Note: The file haspdinst.exe must be present, in the same folder.
2. Plug the USB protection key (network dongle) into a free USB port on your computer.
Wait for a moment, until the red light inside the protection key turns on to indicate that it is working correctly.3 . Enter http://localhost:1947/_int_/devices.html in your Internet browser.
-> The Sentinel Admin Control Center is displayed. The list of all available licenses is displayed.
Find your protection key.Tip: Verify if the label “driverless” is mentioned:
If yes, you can skip the next step (step 4).
4 . Install the “HASP License Manager” as a service (“Hasp Loader”), using the file “lmsetup.exe”
- Right-click and run (as administrator) “lmsetup.exe”, to install the “HASP License Manager”. Choose a language for the installation. Several dialogs guide you through the installation process:
- When asked if you want to install the “HASP License Manager” as an application or as a service, choose “Service”:
- Follow the steps until the final installation.
Note: Once installed, this service is called “Hasp Loader“.
5. Enter http://localhost:1947/_int_/config.html in your Internet browser.
-> The “Sentinel Admin Control Center” is displayed.In the “Configuration” menu, we will use the following tabs:
6. Configuration > “Basic Settings” tab
A password must be set. Click on “Set Password”.
The following dialog opens:
Define a password and click on “Submit”. Keep this password in a safe place, it will be needed each time you want to access http://localhost:1947/. When this password is required, the login should stay empty.
Activate the options:
Click on “Submit”.
7. Configuration > “Access from Remote Clients” tab
Activate the option:
Click on “Submit”.
8. Configuration> “Network” tab
Choose the option:
Then click on “Submit”.
Installation and configuration of the computers running the software
Install the software on the computers on the network on which you wish to use the software.
Note:
1. You can also install and use the software on the computer used as a server.
2. The number of computers that can run the software simultaneously depends on the number of “seats” purchased with your network license.For information about installation, see Mountains® installation guide
1. Enter http://localhost:1947/_int_/config.html in your Internet browser.
-> The Sentinel Admin Control Center is displayed.In the “Configuration” menu, we will use the following tabs:
2. Configuration > “Basic Settings” tab
A password must be set. Click on “Set Password”.
The following dialog opens:
Define a password and click on “Submit”. Keep this password in a safe place, it will be needed each time you want to access http://localhost:1947/. When this password is required, the login should stay empty.
Activate the options:
Click on “Submit”.
3. Configuration > “Access to Remote License Managers” tab
Choose the option “Allow Access to Remote Licenses”
In “Remote License Search Parameters”, you need to enter the network name or the IP address of the computer/server hosting the network protection key.
Click on “Submit”.
4. Configuration > “Network” tab
Choose the option:
Then click on “Submit”.
Starting the software
When you start the software on a computer which is part of a network equipped with a network protection key, the following dialog may be displayed:
1. Activate the option “Search for a network license”
2. Click on [Detect]• If there are no more “seats” available (i.e. if more software sessions are open than purchased network seats), a message tells you so.
Close at least one of the sessions and try again.• If several licenses have been detected, the following dialog invites you to choose which one you would like to use:
Choose the license that you would like to use in the list. If your license is not listed :
1- Activate the option “Search for a network license”
2- Click on [Detect license].Basic trouble-shooting (The software cannot be launched, no license is found…)
1. Make sure that the computer/server hosting the protection key is switched on.
2. Make sure that the protection key is working (a red light on the key indicates that it is recognized and working).
3. Make sure that you have access to the Sentinel Admin Control Center:
Enter http://localhost:1947 in your Internet browser.If there is a problem, re-install the drivers. Advanced information…
Advanced trouble-shooting
If you still have problems:
- Verify if the services related to the protection key are running: “Sentinel LDK License Manager (hsplms)”and “Hasp Loader”.
- Verify the configuration of your Firewall.
To know how to do this, please refer to the “Advanced trouble-shooting” section in our complete guide “Trouble-shooting in case of network license problems“.
Note: It might be a good idea to get help from your IT manager.Contact
Digital Surf Headquarters
16 rue Lavoisier, 25000 Besançon,
France Phone: +33 38150 4800
E-mail: contact@digitalsurf.comResources
©1996-2024 Digital Surf. All rights reserved.