FAQs - Floating Licenses

What is a floating license?

Answer:

A floating (not node-locked) license is a license which is generated by a license server and is not locked to a particular PC. This enables a team of developers to share a pool of SN Systems licenses more efficiently.

Can I use dedicated and floating licenses together?

Answer:

Yes, there is no problem about using a combination of network and dedicated licenses.

How do I convert a dedicated license to a floating license?

Answer:

To convert your dedicated licenses to floating licenses, send a request by e-mail to contact@snsys.com, ensuring that you have enclosed a list of License IDs. Our Sales team will then advise you.

I have previously installed Client License Manager for use with dedicated licenses. Will it support floating licenses?

Answer:

Client License Manager (CLM) versions earlier than v1.1.0.0 do not support floating licenses. If you try to use floating licenses with these versions of CLM then an error will result because the CLM program does not have the option to set up a License Server connection.

CLM versions 1.1.4.0 or later will support floating licenses. However these will only work with licensed product applications that have been built to be compatible. Click here for information on which licensed product versions are suitable for use with CLM v1.1.4.0 or later.

Will my SN Systems product work with floating licenses?

Answer:

Configuration, troubleshooting and error message documentation is stored in our Technical Library.

Please see this article: https://www.snsys.com/Support/Library/article.asp?id=2371

How long does a floating license last?

Answer:

You can find out when your floating license will expire by opening Client License Manager (CLM). If you are still using the licensed application within a short period (normally 5 minutes) of the license expiry time, then CLM will automatically request a renewal of the floating license for a further period (normally of one day).

This means that once you have a license checked out of the dongle, if you leave the licensed application running then the floating license will be renewed automatically and your work will be uninterrupted. However if the licensed application is not running at the time the license was about to expire, then that floating license becomes available for another user.

Why is my support expiry date 31st December 2036?

Answer:

For products where an annual support fee is not chargeable the support expiry date displayed in Server License Manager (SLM) and Client License Manager (CLM) will be 31/12/2036 (31st December 2036).

What are the steps needed in order to get a floating license working?

Answer:

These are the steps needed in order to get a floating license working:

1. Your license server administrator will have information on whether floating licenses are available for the licensed product you wish to use.
2. If floating license support is available, you must configure the license server details in Client License Manager. See Configure my License Server details.
3. The next time you run a licensed application, CLM will automatically attempt to obtain a floating license for the product from the license
   server.
4. Provided a floating license for the licensed product is available, you will now be able to use the product.

Do the clients have to be on the same sub-net as the license server?

No, there are no SN Systems imposed restrictions. The only requirement is that the network infrastructure allows a TCP/IP connection to be established between the client and the license server (default port 15000).

Can clients connect to our corporate LAN via VPN and obtain licenses from the license server?

Answer:

Yes, there are no SN Systems imposed restrictions. The only requirement is that the network infrastructure allows a TCP/IP connection to be established between the client connecting via VPN and the license server (default port 15000).

How do I get a new floating license?

Answer:

In order to use floating licenses, you must configure Client License Manager (CLM) so that it knows about the license server. See "Configure my License Server details".

The next time you run a licensed application, CLM will attempt to obtain a floating license for the licensed product from the license server. Provided a floating license is available, you will now be able to use the product.

How can I check that my dongle contains all the licenses I have purchased for it?

You can view the SN Systems database record of licenses that you have purchased for a dongle by entering your Dongle ID on this page. You should then use Server License Manager (SLM) to view the licenses stored on the dongle itself.

If there is a discrepancy, it probably means that you have not yet applied the latest dongle license update file. See "How do I update my dongle with changed license details?".

How do I update my dongle with changed license details?

Answer:

If you purchase new licenses, or change your license details, then your dongle will need to be updated. We will issue you with a dongle license update file, sent via e-mail, which must then be applied to your dongle (see "How do I apply a dongle license update?").

If you lose your dongle license update file, it can be retrieved by entering your Dongle ID on this page.

How do I apply a dongle license update?

Answer:

Configuration, troubleshooting and error message documentation is stored in our Technical Library.

Please see this article: https://www.snsys.com/Support/Library/article.asp?id=2370

What if my dongle's firmware needs upgrading?

Answer:

We may decide that your dongle's firmware needs updating. If this happens then we will notify you that you need to download a dongle firmware update file from the Product Licensing System downloads page.

The dongle firmware update file must then be applied to your dongle (see "How do I apply a dongle firmware update?").

How do I apply a dongle firmware update?

Answer:

Configuration, troubleshooting and error message documentation is stored in our Technical Library.

Please see this article: https://www.snsys.com/Support/Library/article.asp?id=2369

When carrying out maintenance on a dongle will users have to stop work and request a new license when complete?

Answer:

Any user that is currently using a floating license will have a local copy of it cached in CLM. You can stop / start the license server, upgrade it, apply dongle license update files / dongle firmware update files with no impact on users. The only limitation is that whilst maintenance is being carried out users will not be able to request a new license from the server.

What are the system requirements for the PLS software components?

Answer:

• Client License Manager and Server License Manager are compatible with Windows XP Pro (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit Ultimate or Enterprise and 64-bit) and Windows Server 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit).
• License Server is compatible with Windows XP Pro (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Server 2003 and 2008 (32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows Vista (32-bit Ultimate or Enterprise and 64-bit).
• The License Server PC must have a free USB port.
  • For best performance times no other USB devices should share the same USB host controller

Where can I find information on troubleshooting and error messages?

Answer:

Articles relating to configuration, troubleshooting and error messages are stored in our Technical Library, and can be quickly accessed via this link. You will need the login and password details assigned to your company to access these articles.

If you continue to have problems you can contact support@snsys.com.