Using OpenLM free version to manage your FLEXlm server
Summary
FLEXlm is a floating license manager that is widely used by high end software manufactures. FLEXlm command line based interface is very inconvenient and extremely limited. Most companies need the ability to monitor usage time, have a convenient management interface, manage multiple servers, produce billing reports and a lot more.OpenLM is a cost effective alternative to Accresso FLEXnet manager. OpenLM Light is a free version targeted towards small teams with a single FLEXlm floating license server.
This article shows how the free version of OpenLM can manage your FLEXlm server.
Short
FLEXlm is a floating license manager that is widely used by high end software manufactures. Most companies need the ability to monitor usage time, have a convenient management interface, manage multiple servers, produce billing reports and a lot more.
OpenLM is a cost effective alternative to Accresso FLEXnet manager. This article shows how the free version of OpenLM can manage your FLEXlm server.
What is FLEXnet (FLEXlm) floating license server
FLEXnet is a license manager which implements both node-locked and floating licensing models.
A node-locked license enables the software user to install and use the software on a specific computer (network node in FLEXlm terminology). However with the floating license model, the software can be installed on any number of computers. In order to activate the software, a license needs to be drawn from the License Pool. Once all licenses are in use, no new users will be able to activate their software, even if they have it installed on their computer.
The number of licenses on the servers are limited to the number of purchased licenses. When the number of simultaneous (concurrent) users is equal to the number of licenses the next user will not be able to activate the software - in FLEXlm terminology this user received a "Denial".
Who is using FLEXnet (FLEXlm) floating license server
The FLEXnet license manager is incorporated into the software products of more then 2000 vendors. Following 20 years of activity, FLEXnet is in use at many organizations, from small companies to global ones. FLEXnet libraries are sold to software vendors that incorporate them into their software. End users receive FLEXnet when they purchase different software packages.The need
The interface of the FLEXnet software is based mostly on a command line which is very inconvenient and extremely limited. While it might be sufficient for companies with a small number of users and licenses, it is not sufficient for the larger companies. For example, FLEXnet has the ability to reflect some information on license activity in real time, but it does not collect any information on the usage over time.
Recognizing the need, Macrovision (which recently sold it's software unit to Acresso software company) created the FLEXnet manager software which helps system administrators to get real management capabilities on floating licenses in their organizations. OpenLM created a compatible and very cost effective alternative, which includes most of the FLEXnet manager features plus additional features that are available solely at OpenLM.Using the free alternative - OpenLM Light version
OpenLM is provided in several versions
- OpenLM Utilizer: includes features such as multiple server monitoring, license statistics, reports, billing and much more.
- OpenLM for ESRI ArcGIS: has special extension to allow for unique features, including automatic TIMEOUT capabilities and more.
- OpenLM Light: a free limited version which includes some of the OpenLM software features.
While the investment in OpenLM Utilizer will prove itself worthwhile in a very short time, some small organizations still prefer to use the OpenLM Light - free version.
This article describes the capabilities of the OpenLM Light free version.
OpenLM Architecture
OpenLM is a server application which is normally installed on the license server, but it could also be installed on any server or station just as well.
OpenLM Server is implemented as a Windows Service that is able to monitor any number of Floating License servers (mainly FLEXnet/FLEXlm).
OpenLM EasyAdmin is the OpenLM interface and it is implemented as a web application which can be served by any web server (Apache, Jakarta Tomcat, Microsoft IIS, etc.). OpenLM could be accessed from any workstation on the network, or even externally.
OpenLM Agent is an optional component which could be used to allow end users to query license availability. The use of the Agent offers the ability to enhance license usage in many ways.
OpenLM Installation
OpenLM server is distributed as an MSI file and could be easily installed on a server or Windows XP workstation that has .Net 2 installed.The installation should take no longer than 5 minutes and it does not require configuration, except the addition of your list of license severs. The free version is limited to only one license server so only one license server can be added.
By default EasyAdmin is installed and served using an embedded web server - SHTTPD. The purpose of distributing SHTTPD is to offer a quick and easy installation of the software. However, it is recommended to install EasyAdmin on a regular HTTP server following the initial installation. This article explains how to install EasyAdmin on your IIS web server - How to install.
The installation of OpenLM EasyAdmin Agent is simple and can be done manually on every workstation or distributed to all workstations automatically. A sample distribution for the KIX script language can be downloaded from OpenLM downloads area.
OpenLM Configuration
OpenLM is automatically configured out of the box therefore only minimal configuration work is required. OpenLM configuration form is simple and friendly as can be seen in the following image (The license servers tab is open):Software Updates
OpenLM has an automatic software update mechanism that notifies and updates the software automatically as updates become available.The system is working differently for the Agent and the Server.
OpenLM Server - Message on new versions and updates are sent to the system administrator. The system administrator can, at his convenience, download and update the server.
OpenLM Agent - The update process for the agents is controlled by the system administrator. Once the administrator decides to allow the OpenLM Agents to be updated, he/she can start the process by using the OpenLM configuration form and by directing the new software version into the chosen location (URL or URI), accessible to the workstations.
Management, Reports and FLEXnet license statistics
The free version of OpenLM offers a slick interface for license management and some reporting capabilities that can address the needs of small organizations. OpenLM EasyAdmin control panel page shows information on activity of the license server in four floating windows (limited to only one FLEXlm server while the full version of the software can show the activity of any number of FLEXlm license servers).
The license tab window shows information on the licenses which are available on the server.
A click on the usage button opens a pop-up window which enables the user to draw FLEXlm license statistics with resolution of minutes and hours (the full version of OpenLM supplies daily, weekly and monthly statistics).
Active products enable users to manage the active users in a very efficient way. Showing the listing of active users, removing licenses and additional actions. The filter that pops at the left side of the tab, filters lists that may contain thousands of rows, in a fraction of a second.
All EasyAdmin tabs include easy and convenient filters that enable the user to filter reports according to any value.
The full version of OpenLM includes the workstations user activity and closed process tab, that supply advanced management and statistical tools.
Conclusion
Small companies with one FLEXlm floating license server can enjoy the free OpenLM software to manage their floating licenses. The software enhances the management capabilities of the system administrator and enables more efficient usage of licenses. Both small and larger companies can enjoy significant savings by implementing OpenLM Utilizer, which has many additional features at very low cost.Oren Gabay, CTO
oren@openlm.com
http://www.openlm.com
