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VLM 1 - 01 How ELM-Virtual Server Edition Works

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Enterprise License Manager (ELM) Virtual Server Edition is installed on a central server on an organization's network. On Center Software recommends a separate server that does not functioning as a file server, domain controller, or database server. The license manager and any workstations licensing to it must be installed on the same Domain. WAN connections may work however it is the client's responsibility to configure, test, and troubleshoot authorization issues when licensing over a non-LAN connection.

There are three pieces to Enterprise License Manager-Virtual Server Edition v1.1:

  • LM Binding Agent - this utility is installed on the host machine (physical server) or on a physical machine on the same network as the virtual server. This utility binds the virtual server to a physical piece of hardware - the virtual server must remain bound to this physical machine via a network connection at all times. It is possible to configure this executable to run as a service using 3rd party software not provided or supported by On Center Software (see Related articles for more information).
  • Enterprise License Manager (License Activation Utility) - this utility contacts On Center Software and validates license codes. The service is named "OCS ELM Transport Service" in Windows Services and the associated executables are "ocslmtrans.exe" and "serveractivationutility.exe". This utility is launched by clicking the "Enterprise License Manager" icon on the server's desktop. This is not the 'license manager' - this utility simply downloads the licenses from On Center's servers that the license manager uses.
  • The License Manager which consists of two components:
    • The vendor daemon (oncenter.exe) receives and manages license requests from end users. The vendor daemon is a running task (executable) not a service but it automatically starts when the server is restarted (like a service).
    • The FlexNet License Manager (LMAdmin - license server management interface), is a Browser-based utility that displays license utilization information and provides access to manage the license manager, this service is named "lmadmin" in Windows Services.

Enterprise License Manager Components

LM Binding Agent

Before you can activate codes in Enterprise License Manager - Virtual Server Edition, you must place this utility on the "Binding machine" and execute it. This utility generates a Host ID that uniquely identifies the physical hardware to which the Virtual Server is bound. This Host ID is then entered into the activation screen on the virtual server. The binding agent must remain running (in a command window or as a Windows Service) at all times or the vendor daemon (oncenter.exe) will shut down.

License Activation Utility

Once the components are installed on the server and appropriately configured, the administrator for the server enters the activation codes provided by On Center Software into the Activation utility. Each activation code is transmitted to On Center Software's licensing servers to check that it is a valid code - upon validation, the code is "fulfilled" meaning a license is downloaded to the server and the utility displays which features are available and the number of licenses associated with each code. Each feature of a product (for example, tko and dpm (Takeoff Mode and Digital Production Control - Project Manager) requires a separate activation code.

Note
When changes are made to a company's license inventory (adding licenses, decreasing license count, upgrading versions) each code must be returned and reactivated (or replaced with a new code) and then the license files are "re-read" in LMAdmin. Depending on the circumstances, new activation codes may be issued by On Center Software for license count changes and product version upgrades.

The license manager administrator can reserve features (licenses) for specific workstations using the Activation Utility. Only those computers specifically allowed to use a feature are able to pull that feature license to a workstation. See Related articles for more information on reserving licenses.

FlexNET License Server Manager Interface (LMAdmin) (the "License Manager")

Once you have activated all the codes you were provided, you use the FlexNet License Server Manager Interface (lmadmin) to configure the license manager and view license usage. From this utility, the administrator can stop/start the license manager (daemon), re-read license files, view system information, and see how many licenses are available and in use.

Using Licenses (How ELM is used to license workstation software)

When a computer on the network launches an On Center Software application, the application checks with Enterprise License Manager to see if there is an available license for the product. Communication between the workstation and the server is handled by the vendor daemon (oncenter.exe). If a license is available, the license count is reduced by one (1) on the server and allocated to the particular workstation. The workstation immediately transmits that feature's 'Fulfillment ID" to On Center Software's licensing server for validation. If the validation is successful (the Fulfillment ID is current and the license has not been revoked or deactivated on our licensing servers), the license is applied to the program. If validation fails, an error message displays on the workstation and the license is immediately returned to the license manager pool of available licenses.

  • For floating licenses, when the application is closed, the code is returned to pool of licenses and another workstation can use it. When the application is launched again, it automatically tries to retrieve a license from ELM. For example: Example: A client owns three On-Screen Takeoff licenses allocated to ELM, so three users can simultaneously receive authorization. The fourth concurrent user opening On-Screen Takeoff receives a notice that all floating licenses are in use. They must wait until another user closes the application (returns a license to the pool), then attempt to authorize the application.
  • For borrowed licenses, the license is checked out for the duration the user selects. Borrowing is enabled by the ELM administrator when her or she is activating license codes.
Note
Workstations must have an active Internet connection becuase the application validates the Fulfillment ID with On Center Software's server each time a license is retrieved.

Detailed instructions for authorizing the Server and the Workstations and administrating Enterprise License Manager are provided in the next few articles.

previous article arrow Enterprise License Manager (Virtual Server Edition) v.1.1 System RequirementsInstalling ELM Virtual Server Edition next article arrow



Product documentation (user guides) describes functionality in the latest version of each major release and may not match the functionality in the version you are using. Please check the Product Information and Downloads pages by clicking one of the product buttons above.

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