Wednesday, August 27, 2008

What is new in version 1.5.1.2 of OpenLM

Version 1.5.1.2 of OpenLM is a maintenance release that fixes several issues which were found in version 1.5.1.1

The issues that were addressed in this version are:

  • Full support for ArcGIS 9.3.
  • Redesign of Workstations TAB in OpenLM EasyAdmin (Available only in the full version).
  • Enhancements to the usage charts in EasyAdmin.
  • Fix a problem that was found at OpenLM for ESRI ArcGIS when working with "overwrite existing projects" mode.



Sunday, August 10, 2008

How to configure OpenLM "Denial Notifications"

Denial notification is a very useful new feature in OpenLM version 1.5. This feature is very effective in optimizing the usability of existing licenses.

Please watch this short video in order to see how it works.

In order to enable the Denials feature it necessary to install and configure the Log Reader as a first step. Please follow these steps and make sure that you are able to see the Denials Reports in your EasyAdmin Denial Tab.

Now you need to open the OpenLM Server configuration form and move to the OpenLM Agent Policy Tab. Check the "Available License Notification" and set the desired "Reservation Period" or accept the default (60 minutes).


Click apply and restart the server.

Make sure that your users have OpenLM Agent version 1.5.1.1. Otherwise, they will not be able to get the notifications.
How to install OpenLM Log Reader on your FLEXlm server

What is the purpose of OpenLM Log Reader?

OpenLM Log Reader is a daemon service that reads FLEXlm debug log file and sends the information to OpenLM Server.

The action enables OpenLM to offer additional capabilities:

  • Store important information in OpenLM Database.
  • Store and report information about license denials that users experience.
  • Send users notice when the software they need becomes available.

How is the OpenLM Log Reader implemented?

OpenLM is a Java program that can run on multiple platforms - Windows, UNIX, Linux and more. OpenLM Log Reader for Windows is distributed with an MSI installer that installs the files to the hard disk and creates a windows service called: OpenLM Log Reader.

How to install?

OpenLM Log Reader on Windows Installation is a typical "Next, Next" installation. Double Click the MSI file and follow the instructions. Following to the software installation a new service is added to windows services. The service is yet to be configured and theretofore will not get started just yet.



Requirements

OpenLM Log Reader service configuration requires some data regarding the monitored license manager. It is simple to collect the information by using LMTOOLS program - lmtools.exe.

Open LMTOOLS and go to the "Config Services" tab. Locate the path of FLEXlm debug log file and copy and save it for the next step.

Once done, go to the "Services" tab and click the "Perform Status Inquiry" button. The text will show in the window in the top search for the string similar to: 27000@license_server_status

You will need the port and server name for the next stage.


OpenLM Log Reader configuration

You have to configure OpenLM Log Reader so it will be able to track your log file.

Navigate to OpenLM Log Reader installation folder: C:Program FilesGlobalMapsOpenLMLogReader

Open the file config.xml using your favorite text editor.

You need to modify several parameters in order to allow OpenLM Log Reader, to read and send the information to the OpenLM Server. The required information is:

  1. The name of OpenLM server.
  2. The name of FLEXlm server (exactly as shown in FLEXlm output).
  3. The port of FLEXlm server.
  4. Path to FLEXlm debug log file.

An example (attributes that need to be edited are marked red):

<ulm>
<receiver receiver_url="http://openlm_server:7016/OpenLMServer" sending_time_out="45"/>

<log_files>
<log server="license_manager_name" port="27000" file_path="C:Templmgrd9.log" size_limit="1" time_interval="10"/>
<log server="license_manager_name" port="9857" file_path="C:Tempacadlmgrd_acad.log" size_limit="1" time_interval="10"/>
...
</log_files>
</ulm>

Any number of port/files can be added, according to the number of FLEXlm servers that run on the machine. When you are done with all the modifications, restart the OpenLM Log Reader server.


How to install OpenLM Log Reader on UNIX/Linux

The purpose OpenLM Log Reader is to send the information from FLEXlm report log to OpenLM server. You have to install OpenLM Log Reader on every FLEXlm server you monitored by OpenLM. If you have more then one FLEXlm server installed on one server you will need only one installation on the server, it will monitor all the log files.

OpenLM Log Reader was developed using Java so it can run on any operating system supported by FLEXlm floating license manager.

First download OpenLM Log Reader software from OpenLM website downloads area. The download include the following files and folders:

Main folder: openlm_log_reader

lib - Java libraries used by OpenLM Log Reader.
openlm_log_reader.jar - Log Reader executable.
openlm_log_reader_config.xml - OpenLM Log Reader configuration file.
openlm_log_reader.properties - Logger properties.

The steps we need in order to accomplish the task are:
1. Make sure that JRE with version of at least 1.5 is available on the machine (where you typically install software /usr/local).
2. Copy the software to the FLEXlm server (where you typically install software /usr/local).
3. Create a software service that will start with the operating system and run in the background (command: java -jar MyLogReader.jar config.xml).
4. Configure the software.


Configure the path of your log file (Optional)

Edit openlm_log_reader.properties and modify the log file path so it will fit your installation. By default it will create a directory named log under the installation folder.

Configure OpenLM Log Reader (Mandatory)

Open the file config.xml using your favorite text editor.

You need to modify several parameters in order to allow OpenLM Log Reader, to read and send the information to the OpenLM Server. The required information is:

  1. The name of OpenLM server.
  2. The name of FLEXlm server (exactly as it shows in FLEXlm output).
  3. The port of FLEXlm server.
  4. Path to FLEXlm debug log file.

An example (attributes that need to be edited are marked red):

<ulm>
<receiver receiver_url="http://openlm_server:7016/OpenLMServer" sending_time_out="45"/>

<log_files>
<log server="license_manager_name" port="27000" file_path="C:Templmgrd9.log" size_limit="1" time_interval="10"/>
<log server="license_manager_name" port="9857" file_path="C:Tempacadlmgrd_acad.log" size_limit="1" time_interval="10"/>
...
</log_files>
</ulm>

Any number of port/files can be added, according to the number of FLEXlm servers that run on the machine. When you are done with all the modifications, restart the OpenLM Log Reader server.