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