License Manager

Contents

About Licensing Management

The FEI software license you have acquired defines your rights to use and some of its modules (extensions) with a specific level of functionality, for a certain version, on designated equipment, and for a specific number of simultaneous users. The license may additionally be restricted to a specific period of time or to specific use cases.

Your FEI software license is protected by a license key. Each time the application is launched, it checks for a valid license key. If a valid license key is found, the application runs. Otherwise, you are requested to get a valid license key.

has separate license keys for all editions and extensions.

Node-locked Versus Floating Licenses

There are two main types of licenses: node-locked licenses and floating licenses.

Node-locked licensing allows the software to run on a single, identified computer only.

If you have purchased floating licenses, one or several concurrent users can run sessions at the same time from their computers located on your local network. The number of concurrent users is given by the number of tokens purchased. In this case, you must install FlexNet Publisher license server manager on a local server. Then, on each end user's computer, you will need to specify the location of this local licensing server (see FNP license server mode).

Time-limited Versus Perpetual Licenses

Licenses can be time-limited or perpetual. Time-limited licenses are valid until a given date, which is shown in the product splash screen at start up or in the About dialog (accessible via the Help About menu). After this date, will stop working. This is usually the case for trial licenses, Beta, or for renewable rented licenses (i.e., yearly subscriptions).

License Manager Actions

When you launch for the first time, a dialog appears, to indicate that no valid license has been found on your computer. You have the choice of activating or evaluating the product (see Figure 2). Select the Activate option, to open the Activation Wizard. Three modes of configuration (see Figure 3) are available:

Figure 2: License Manager - No Valid License Found

Figure 3: License Manager - Configuration Wizard

Note: Other actions may be available depending on the configuration mode.

Online Local Activation Mode

When you work in local activation mode, allows you to manage your licenses. Different actions are available on depending on the status of your licenses.

Note: An Internet connection is required for all following actions. If you do not have any Internet connection, please refer to the "Offline Local Activation Mode" documentation.

Activate a Node-Locked License
When you purchase one or more (editions and/or extensions) licenses, you should receive an email from fei@flexnetoperations.com containing a set of activation codes for each purchased product or option.

The Activate button is enabled when the activation codes into the provided text field respect this format:

        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.
A connection to the online activation server will start immediately.
When activation is complete, the product is ready to be used and the license manager displays information related to the activation.

An activation code is a string similar to the following:
        #License: ( - 1 year time-limited node-locked application license (including maintenance service) - Multiple platforms support) - Expiration date: 12/13/2014:
        BL5F-7773-A9F1-F79B _

Figure 4: License Manager - Node-Locked Activation Wizard

Add New Node-Locked License after Activation

Once is activated, you can add other node-locked license to activate new extensions or editions.
To do so:

The Activate button is enabled when the activation codes into the provided text field respect this format:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.

Figure 5: License Manager Dialog

Transferring all Node-Locked Licenses to a New Computer
After activating a node-locked license on a computer, you may wish to move it to a new one. To do so, you first need to de-activate the first license by returning the associated activation code and then activate it again on the new computer.

To do so:

Figure 6: License Manager - Deactivation Dialog

Upgrading to a New Version

When a new version of is released, a dialog is displayed if the activation process was used for a previous version after installing and launching the new version. It offers several choices, including an Upgrade Local Licenses option (see Figure 7).

Figure 7: License Manager - Upgrade Dialog

If the licensed modules are under maintenance, they will be immediately available for use after the upgrade process.

Note: The previous version can still be used on the same computer even after upgrading to the new version.

Reactivating a License

When you use a renewable license (i.e., through a subscription agreement), will stop working when the license expiration date is reached.
When you launch a new session of , an error dialog is displayed with several choices, including a Reactivate option.

Figure 8: License Manager - Reactivation Dialog

As soon as you have renewed your subscription, you can re-activate your node-locked license to allow to run again for a new period of time.

Activate Demo licenses

The Demo licenses are node-locked and time-limited.

The Activate button is enabled when the format of activation code into the provided text field respect this format:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.
A connection to the online activation server will start immediately. When activation is complete, the product is ready to be used.

Figure 9: License Manager - Demo Activation Wizard - Configure Demo Version Licensing

Figure 10: License Manager - Demo Activation Wizard - Activate Demo Licenses

Activate Beta Licenses

The Beta licenses are only node-locked and time-limited.

When you launch a Beta version for the first time, or if your Beta licenses are expired, the Activation Wizard is opened at the Configure Beta Version Licensing page.

The Activate button is enabled when the format of activation code into the provided text field respect this format:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.
A connection to the online activation server will start immediately. When finished, the product is ready to be used.

Figure 11: License Manager - Beta Activation Wizard - Configure Beta Version Licensing

Figure 12: License Manager - Beta Activation Wizard - Activate Beta Licenses

Offline Local Activation Mode

In offline activation mode, you will be able to perform the same actions described in "Online Local Activation Mode", but without any Internet connection.

Activate a Node-Locked License
When you purchase one or more licenses (i.e., editions and/or extensions), you should receive an email from fei@flexnetoperations.com containing a set of activation codes for each purchased product or option.

The Next button is enabled when the path of XML request file is specified. The format of activation code uses the following template:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.
The next page (see Figure 14) explains the remaining steps to perform before completing the offline activation request:

  1. Transfer your XML request file to a computer with an Internet connection.
  2. Open vsg3d.flexnetoperations.com/control/vsgs/offlineActivation in a web browser.
  3. Specify the path to your XML request file in the provided file field.
  4. Click Process. An activation.xml XML response file will be downloaded.
  5. Transfer activation.xml to the computer without Internet access.
  6. Click Next to import the activation.xml file and resume your activation request (see Figure 15).

Figure 13: License Manager - Offline Activation Wizard

Figure 14: License Manager - Offline Instructions

Figure 15: License Manager - Offline Import

When activation is complete, the product is ready to be used and the license manager displays information related to the activation.

Add New Node-Locked License After Activation

Once is activated, you can add other node-locked license to activate new extensions or editions.
To do so:

The Next button is enabled when the path of XML request file is specified. The format of activation code uses the following template:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.

Figure 16: License Manager Dialog Offline

Transferring all Node-Locked Licenses to a New Computer
After activating a node-locked license on a computer, you may wish to move it to a new one. To do so, you first need to deactivate the first license by returning the associated activation code and then activate it again on the new computer.

To do so:

Figure 17: License Manager - Deactivation Dialog Offline

Upgrading to a New Version

When a new version of is released, a dialog is displayed if the activation process was used for a previous version after installing and launching the new version. It offers several choices, including an Upgrade Local Licenses option.

Figure 18: License Manager - Upgrade Proposal Dialog Offline

After clicking Upgrade Local Licenses, a dialog will open (see Figure 19), allowing you to select the licenses you want to upgrade and the path to the XML file that will contain your offline upgrade request. Click Next to display the offline instructions dialog (also listed in the "Offline Local Activation Mode" section). Once the import of the upgrade request has been performed (and if the licensed modules are under maintenance), the selected licenses will be upgraded and the new version of can be used immediately.

Figure 19: License Manager - Upgrade Licenses Dialog Offline

Note: The previous version can still be used on the same computer even after upgrading to the new version.

Reactivating a License

When you use a renewable license (i.e., through a subscription agreement), will stop working when the license expiration date is reached. When you launch a new session of , an error dialog will appear with several choices including a Reactivate Local Licenses option.

Figure 20: License Manager - Reactivation Proposal Dialog Offline

Click Reactivate Local Licenses to open the License Manager dialog box (see Figure 20) and select the licenses you want to activate plus the path to the XML file that will contain your offline reactivation request (see Figure 21). Click Next to display the offline instructions dialog (also listed in the "Offline Local Activation Mode" section). Once the import of the reactivation request has been performed (and if you have renewed your subscription), the selected licenses will be reactivated and the new version of can be used immediately for a new period of time.

Figure 21: License Manager - Reactivate Licenses Dialog Offline

Activate Demo Licenses

The Demo Licenses are node-locked and time-limited.

The Next button is enabled when the path of XML request file is specified. The format of activation code uses the following template:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.

Once the import of the activation request has been performed, the product is ready to be used.

Figure 22: License Manager - Demo Activation Wizard - Configure Demo Version Licensing Offline

Figure 23: License Manager - Demo Activation Wizard - Activate Demo Licenses Offline

Activate Beta Licenses

The Beta licenses are only node-locked and time-limited.

When you launch a Beta version for the first time or if your Beta licenses are expired, the Activation Wizard will open on the Configure Beta Version Licensing page.

The Next button is enabled when the path of XML request file is specified. The format of activation code uses the following template:
        <EntitlementId> [<HostId>] <ProductName>_<ProductVersion> .
        HostId is optional.

Once the import of the activation request has been performed, the product is ready to be used.

Figure 24: License Manager - Beta Activation Wizard - Configure Beta Version Licensing Offline

Figure 25: License Manager - Beta Activation Wizard - Activate Beta Licenses Offline

FNP License Server Mode

floating or concurrent licenses are handled by FlexNet Publisher tool. Do the following to manage floating licenses:
  1. Install FlexNet Publisher license server manager on a local server of your LAN
  2. Activate your licenses on this license server
  3. Configure each instance on local computers to use this license server

FNP License Server Manager Installation and Management

Refer to the following website to install a FlexNet license server and manage floating licenses, including activation, upgrade, reactivation, and return:
http://www.fei-software-center.com/flexnet-server-doc/

Configure to Use Licenses from FNP License Server
At startup, select the Activate option and then Use FNP license server on the first page of the Activation Wizard.
You will need to specify the name of the FNP license server. Optionally, you can specify a port number with a separator ":" (< ServerName> :< PortNumber>). Using a specific port number depends on the way the server is configured. In such a case, please contact your server license administrator for more information about the FNP license server configuration and the potential need to indicate a specific port number.
A connection to the FNP license server will start immediately. When done, the product is ready to be used.

Figure 26: License Manager - FNP License Server Configuration

Note: It is possible to test the connection to the specified server using the Test button.

Actions Independent of Activation Mode (Local, Server or Offline)

Reconfigure

You can change your configuration mode at any time, but this action requires that you restart the application.
To do so (in local activation mode), select Help License Manager and click on the Reconfigure Licensing button.

Figure 27: License Manager - Reconfiguration Wizard

Show Available Extensions

When is running, you can see the activated licenses on your computer.
Select Help Show Available Extensions.

Figure 28: License Manager - Available Extensions

Note: One activation code can activate several licenses.

Licensing Troubleshooting

Deactivating

When using node-locked activation codes, please deactivate them before any of the following operations: Otherwise, you will not be able to reactivate them on another system since they will still be active on the original system, and it will be difficult or impossible for you to deactivate them for a transfer.
To deactivate , please read the following instructions according to your licensing mode: online or offline.

Firewall Problem

If you have an Internet connection and encounter the error "Unable to connect to server https" when trying to activate a license, it originates from your firewall configuration.
You need to configure your firewall to allow the connection to the online activation server:

Licensing Events Log

If an error occurs during activation, you can find more details in the licensing events log.

The log file is saved in the user application data directory:

This log file details all activation actions and licensing information only when an error occurs.

License Lookup Log

If the VSG_LICENSE_DEBUG environment variable is set to a file name, licensing debug output is written to the specified file when is launched. You can open and read this debug file yourself.

Below are instructions for setting this environment variable on

Note: For using a license debug filename as indicated below, you need sufficient privileges to write into the installation directory. Otherwise, set VSG_LICENSE_DEBUG to a path where you can write files. For example, /home/<your_login_name>/debug.txt, or C:\Temp\debug.txt.

You can set the environment variable via the Control Panel for Windows or you can set it in a command prompt on all platforms.

Windows - Control Panel

  1. Go to the Control Panel via the Windows Start menu.
  2. In the Control Panel, select the System application.
  3. Click the Advanced tab.
  4. Click the Environment variables button.
  5. In either the User or System variables, click New.
  6. For the Variable name, enter VSG_LICENSE_DEBUG.
  7. For the Variable value, enter debug.txt (without the quotes).
  8. Click OK to close the dialog boxes
  9. Run from the Start menu. When the License Manager dialog is displayed, dismiss it.
  10. Then look for a file named debug.txt in the top level of the installation directory.

Windows - Command Prompt

  1. On Windows you can get to a command prompt via the Windows Start menu as follows:
    Start Programs Accessories Command Prompt
  2. In the command prompt window, type:
    set VSG_LICENSE_DEBUG=debug.txt
  3. Change the current directory to where your executable is. For example:
    cd C:\Program Files\\bin\arch-Win64VC12-Optimize
  4. Run as follows:
    .exe
  5. When the License Manager dialog displays, dismiss it.
  6. Look for the file debug.txt in the current directory.

Return or Upgrade Impossible with Node-Locked Licenses

The License Manager uses the Unique Machine Number (UMN) to validate the identity of the machine that initiated the request. The Unique Machine Number value is retrieved from your system hardware information, or from hypervisor-controlled information for virtual machines. If your system hardware is modified since the original activation, the UMN of your machine can be changed and the License Manager will consider your machine to be a different machine. Consequently, the following error message may appear:
        "Trying to return a fulfillment issued to a different machine."
If this error message occurs, contact Technical Support for assistance.

Contacting the License Administrator

You can contact the license administrator using this address: fei-sw-license@fei.com