---
title: FlexLM
description: FlexLM (also known as FlexNet Publisher) is a widely used license management system that supports many licensed applications across different industries..
product: OpenLM Version 25 / v26 (legacy)
---

> **OpenLM Version 25 / v26 (legacy).** This page documents the legacy product, not OpenLM Platform.

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](https://openlm.com/documentation/legacy/openlm-slm/index).

### 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** (for example, `win2016dev2`, `27000`).  
5. Set the correct **Time Zone**.  
6. Activate **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 (for example, `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](https://www.openlm.com/download/).

### 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*

:::note
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**.  

   :::tip
   On some installations, `lmutil` is in a different folder. If so, update the **data_inquiry** node manually.
   :::

7. (Windows only) If FlexLM runs as a service, activate **Use OS start/stop commands** and enter *FlexLM License Manager*.  
8. In **Vendors**, click **Add Vendor** (for example, `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](https://openlm.com/documentation/legacy/openlm-slm/multiple-flexlm-license-pool-monitoring-kb4053).

## 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](https://www.openlm.com/knowledge-base/downloading-files-from-and-uploading-files-to-the-license-server-machine-kb4057/).

## 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 through options files  

See:  
- [Options file management using EasyAdmin](https://openlm.com/documentation/legacy/options-files/options-file-management-using-openlm-easyadmin-kb4007)  
- [Importing users and groups from options files](https://openlm.com/documentation/legacy/options-files/importing-users-and-groups-via-the-options-files-reading-mechanism-kb4037a)  

## 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.  

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