FlexLM

FlexLM (also known as FlexNet Publisher) is a widely used license management system that supports many licensed applications across different industries.
This guide explains how to configure OpenLM to interface with FlexLM, monitor license usage, and collect license statistics.

There are two main ways to query the FlexLM license server:

1. Quick method: Query the license server remotely from OpenLM Server.
   This provides license usage reporting in the EasyAdmin interface.

2. Enhanced method: Query the license server locally using OpenLM Broker, then forward the data to OpenLM Server.
   This option adds:

   • Borrowed license tracking
   • License denial monitoring
   • Options file management
   • Greater robustness against network or security issues

Interfacing FlexLM with OpenLM Server only

The first option is to configure OpenLM Server to query FlexLM directly.

OpenLM Server querying FlexLM remotely

Before you begin, make sure OpenLM Server is installed and configured.

Steps

1. In EasyAdmin → Start → Administration → License Manager Servers, click Add LM.
   
   Adding a new license manager in EasyAdmin

2. Enter a description to recognize the license manager.

3. Select FlexLM as the type.

4. Enter the Hostname and Port (e.g., win2016dev2, 27000).

5. Set the correct Time Zone.

6. Enable Triad Configuration if using a FlexLM redundancy setup.

   • Checked: Monitor all triad servers.
   • Unchecked: Monitor a single server (default).

7. Set Use Broker toggle to off.

8. Test the connection.

   • Success:
     
     Successful connection test

   • Failure:
     
     Failed connection test

9. Click Save.

OpenLM Server is now ready to query FlexLM and show license usage in EasyAdmin.

LM Tools tab

1. Go to LM Tools tab.
2. Select FlexLM from the drop-down list.
3. Copy lmutil.exe to C:\Program Files\OpenLM\OpenLM Server\LM.
4. Enter the full path (e.g., C:\Program Files\OpenLM\OpenLM Server\LM\lmutil.exe).
5. Click Save.

LM Tools configuration for FlexLM

Monitoring with OpenLM Server and Broker

OpenLM Broker provides extended monitoring and administration features.

Broker interfacing with FlexLM logs and license files

Benefits of using Broker

• License usage statistics with 1-second resolution
• Buffered, robust communication with the server
• Borrowed license tracking
• Denial reporting
• License pools, node-locked, and named users monitoring
• Packaging details
• Automatic maintenance of options files
• Remote import/export of license and log files

Broker installation

Download and install the latest OpenLM Broker.

Broker configuration

Automatic detection

1. Open Broker.
2. Click Detect.

If the FlexLM service is running, Broker will configure the port and utility path automatically.

Automatic Broker detection

注意

Auto-detection may not configure everything correctly. If needed, continue with manual configuration.

Manual configuration

1. Click Add License Manager.

2. Enter the Port number.

3. Select FlexLM as license manager type.

4. Click Add.

5. In Settings, add the license file path.
   

6. In Commands, verify the correct path and click Execute.
   

   ヒント

   On some installations, lsmon is in a different folder. If so, update the data_inquiry node manually.

7. (Windows only) If FlexLM runs as a service, enable Use OS start/stop commands and enter FlexLM License Manager.

8. In Vendors, click Add Vendor (e.g., adskflex).

9. Expand Options File Details to configure file path and backup.
   

10. In Log Files, click Add Log File.

11. Select FlexLM Debug Log File and set the path.
    

12. Save the configuration.

OpenLM Server configuration

Once Broker is configured, it sends data to OpenLM Server.

Automatic configuration

1. Open EasyAdmin.
2. Go to License Servers.
3. Double-click the new FlexLM server entry.
   
4. Click Approve.

FlexLM configuration approved in EasyAdmin

The FlexLM server is now monitored through Broker and usage data is available in EasyAdmin.

When using FlexNet Publisher

• FlexNet Publisher does not use lmutil.exe and lmgrd.exe.
  Use the default lmutil provided with Broker:
  C:\Program Files\OpenLM\OpenLM Broker\tools64\lmutil.exe.
• Set the main license manager port (default: 27000) instead of the vendor port.

Multiple-pool license files

OpenLM can distinguish between:

• Floating licenses
• Named licenses
• Node-locked licenses

For details, see Multiple FlexLM license pool monitoring.

Importing and uploading license files

With EasyAdmin you can:

• Import options files, log files, and license files from remote servers
• Edit and upload them back
• Restart or re-read the license server

For details, see Uploading and downloading files from license server.

Options file management

OpenLM provides options file management features:

• Edit and apply license allocations and restrictions through EasyAdmin
• Sync with Active Directory to keep options files updated
• Import users and groups via options files

See:

• Options file management using EasyAdmin
• Importing users and groups from options files

Monitoring license borrowing

License borrowing ties a license to a workstation for offline use.
OpenLM shows borrowed license data in EasyAdmin → License Servers.

Verifying FlexLM configuration

1. Open EasyAdmin.
2. Go to Start → Widgets → License Servers.
   • A green circle means the server is connected.
3. Check Start → Reports → Denials for license denials.

注意

Denials are logged only after Broker is configured with a debug log. They are not available retroactively.