OpenLM for FLEXlm System configuration

OpenLM - A modular system

OpenLM is a very flexible and modular system which offers system managers the ability to deploy it easily in different environments. This article will discuss some possible configuration options, but it's main focus is the ability of OpenLM to work with FLEXlm license manager that could be running on servers with different operating systems (UNIX, Windows).

OpenLM System is composed of three parts:

• OpenLM Server.
• OpenLM Agent.
• OpenLM EasyAdmin.

OpenLM Server is the server component and the heart of the system. The OpenLM Server corps the data from the FLEXlm license server, stores the information in the database, communicates with OpenLM Agents and manage the whole operation of the system. It is possible to install OpenLM Server on almost any Microsoft Windows based server (Check our OpenLM Support Matrix ). OpenLM Server is implemented as a Windows service called OpenLM_Server.exe and it is automatically created by OpenLM Server installation program.

OpenLM Agent is the the component which is distributed to the end users workstations and it is responsible mostly for the communication with the end user. OpenLM Agent allow users to easily interact with the floating licenses manager, check available licenses and even see which user checked out the license. OpenLM Agent is a notification area program called OpenLM_Agent.exe and it should be distributed automatically to any workstation that uses FLEXlm licensed software (You can use any software distribution system for that purpose).

OpenLM EasyAdmin is the interface of OpenLM for FLEXlm reporting, statistics and charting. It can run on any web browser - from any workstation on the network. OpenLM EasyAdmin is implemented as an Adobe Flash component and is used for providing a rich user interface.

FLEXlm was originally developed as a joint venture of GLOBEtrotter Software and Highland Software in 1988. Highland's rights to the FLEXlm product were acquired by GLOBEtrotter in 1994; Highland continued as a reseller of 3rd party software. GLOBEtrotter was then acquired by Macrovision in 2000; Macrovision subsequently renamed FLEXlm to FLEXnet. When FLEXlm was developed, it only operated on UNIX platforms that has a HOSTID that was unique to each UNIX box. Several years later FLEXlm was ported to work on windows platforms with a hardware dongle that supplies the needed unique key.

OpenLM - A single server installation

At this point in time, many organizations still use the UNIX server as the FLEXlm server, however many organizations moved their floating license servers to Microsoft Windows servers. When the floating license server is a windows server, many system managers choose to install OpenLM server component on the FLEXlm server itself. This configuration is described in the following drawing:

As can be seen in the drawing, both the FLEXlm server and OpenLM server are installed on the same machine.

The drawing is demonstrating the following components:
OpenLM Agent communicates with the OpenLM Server using port 7012 (Can be easily configured to another port).
The licensed software (ESRI ArcGIS, Autocad, Solidworks etc.) connects to the FLEXlm server using port 27000 by default.
EasyAdmin can be accessed from any workstation on the network by your web browser (port 80). After OpenLM EasyAdmin is finished to load up, it will be using port 7014 to communicate with the OpenLM Server (UI Port).


OpenLM - Multiple servers configuration

When FLEXlm is running on a UNIX server, the system manager need to use a multiple server configuration of OpenLM system. In many cases, system administrators prefer multiple server configuration even when they use Microsoft Windows as a FLEXlm server. It is possible to install OpenLM Server on any Windows server on the network and monitor one or more FLEXlm servers, that operates on Windows or UNIX servers. The following system diagram describes a system with multiple servers: FLEXlm server, OpenLM Server and HTTP server.

If your organization is using any of the OpenLM's full versions, you can configure OpenLM server to monitor multiple FLEXlm servers which can run on a UNIX or a Windows servers.

Beginning with version 1.5 of OpenLM each component of OpenLM system (Server, Agent) can be on a different timezone: FLEXlm server, OpenLM Server or OpenLM Agent. All the functionality of OpenLM will work across timezones: release idle licenses, remove orphaned licenses, FLEXlm reporting, FLEXlm statistics, FLEXlm charting, query licenses status and availability by end users, etc.

Summery

OpenLM system is designed as a modular system in order to fit the particular needs of any organization.
Each component of OpenLM could be installed on a different server, as well as on a different time zone.
Every port of every component of the OpenLM system can be easily configured, to allow system managers maximum flexibility.
A floating license manager (FLEXlm) that runs on UNIX server, is supported by OpenLM with the multiple servers configuration, as displayed in the second diagram.

Oren Gabay
CTO
OpenLM
http://www.openlm.com

OpenLM Version 1.4.1 Announcement

OpenLM version 1.4.1 is a maintenance release for the latest release (1.4.0) of OpenLM.

The new maintenance version enhances the existing version and adds many new and very important functions.

Highlights

• As of this version, the communication between OpenLM agents and the OpenLM Server is based on HTTP protocol. It enables the communication over wide networks and firewalls.

• The new version includes support for Microsoft Terminal Services.

• Daily, weekly and monthly reports can now be generated.

• The new version also includes a long awaited solution: preventing the closing of software during long processing jobs.

Important to know: Macrovision announced recently that it is retiring SAMreport and SAMsuite. For anyone searching for these types of applications and who use FLEXlm licensed software, OpenLM can now provide a very good solution.

OpenLM is offered in three flavors:

1. OpenLM For ESRI ArcGIS - The full version with a specific extension for ESRI ArcGIS Desktop products.
2. OpenLM FLEXlm Utilizer - The full version that fits any organization using FLEXlm licensed software. The software is a good replacement for Macrovision SAMreportSAMsuite and it is extremely cost effective in comparison to the Macrovision product. Please read more on the subject of OpenLM Utilizer for FLEXlm .
3. OpenLM Light - The free version of OpenLM. It can be freely downloaded and used by any organization that use FLEXlm licensing. It offers the basic reporting features, plus end-user tools to query license availability over the license pool. It is a simple but great replacement for the Macrovision SAMreport or SAMsuite at no cost, except your time for the 5 minutes it will take you to get it fired up!

OpenLM Utilizer Announcement

OpenLM Utilizer for FLEXlm is a cost effective solution for replacing SAMsuite and SAMreport

Macrovision retired SAMreport and OpenLM decided to offer an affordable solution. The OpenLM software is available in three options:
OpenLM Light - Free Version - This is a great solution for organizations who are under budget constraint. It is limited to a single FLEXlm server and with a limited set of reports. However it is offering an end user agent, allowing for license availability and active users query.

OpenLM Utilizer for FLEXlm - The Utilizer is an OpenLM solution with great reporting and management tools for FLEXlm. It will save you time and money by minimizing administration time, and help you to provide better license availability for your users. A single seat of the software can manage any number of FLEXlm license servers, for a $500 annual fee. The OpenLM Utilizer includes all the features of the full OpenLM software except for the ability to automatically release idle licenses.

OpenLM for ESRI ArcGIS - The OpenLM Full version is designed to assist system managers and end users alike, in achieving optimum use of time and performance of software managed by Macrovision FLEXlm. The latest version is targeted to enhance the use of ESRI ArcGIS software and it includes reports and automatic release of idle licenses. The software pricing is based on the number of licenses and extensions that the system service.

Thoma Cressey Bravo to Acquire Macrovision's Software Business

Macrovision will sell a software unit that include FLEXnet (FLEXlm) - the floating license manager.

Read article: http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080214005483&newsLang=en

Serving OpenLM EasyAdmin using IIS 7

OpenLM is an application dedicated to the management of Macrovision FLEXnet (Globetrotter FLEXlm). The EasyAdmin is OpenLM's reporting component and it is Http based application. The EasyAdmin can be viewed with Internet browser from any station in the network.

By default, EasyAdmin is installed together with OpenLM Server and it is served by a dedicated HTTP server, which is also distributed with OpenLM Server install pack. After your organization decided to use OpenLM, we recommend to serve OpenLM EasyAdmin application by your organizational HTTP server in order to allow access to FLEXlm reports from any site.

This short guide outlines the steps required in order to serve your OpenLM EasyAdmin by using your IIS 7 HTTP server (the steps in IIS 6 are similar). In this guide we assume that the IIS server is located on the same server as OpenLM. If your Http Server is located on different machine, please copy C:\Program Files\GlobalMaps\OpenLMServer\EasyAdmin to that machine

The OpenLM EasyAdmin will be installed under the default web site, and will be accessed by using the following URL: http:///EasyAdmin

Open the IIS Manager (Control Panel->Administrative Tools)

Right click the "Default Web Site" and add "Virtual Directory"

The IIS Virtual Directory wizard will open up:

Click Next and type the preferred alias name

Click next and browse to the EasyAdmin folder

Click Next and Accept the default settings

Click next to get the final wizard screen

Close the wizard and open your web browser on the EasyAdmin address:

OpenLM is now published under the default web site of your organizational server. Every system administrator or permitted user can now access FLEXlm reports, release orphaned licenses, draw usage charts, watch FLEXlm statistics, list active FLEXlm users and query the usage patterns of any specific user.


OpenLM EasyAdmin is included in every version of the OpenLM software system. The OpenLM light version include the EasyAdmin application as well, however it comes with less reporting options compared with the full OpenLM versions: OpenLM Utilizer for FLEXlm and OpenLM for ESRI ArcGIS. When using OpenLM with all it's unique features, you should save a lot of money by highly improving the use of your expensive FLEXlm licenses.

OpenLM Light at download.com

OpenLM is now available at download.com - the best free software for FLEXlm reports!

OpenLM Light - The free version of OpenLM. It can be freely downloaded and used by any organization that use FLEXlm licensing. It offers the basic reporting features, plus end-user tools to query license availability over the license pool. It is a simple but great replacement for the Macrovision SAMreport or SAMsuite at no cost, except your time for the 5 minutes it will take you to get it up and running!