---
title: Houdini
description: Follow these steps to configure OpenLM to monitor license usage and retrieve license statistics from Houdini.
product: OpenLM Version 25 / v26 (legacy)
---

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

Follow these steps to configure OpenLM to monitor license usage and retrieve license statistics from Houdini.

## Requirements

Before you query the license manager, install:

1. OpenLM SLM on your premises (or an OpenLM Cloud account)
2. OpenLM Broker v4.14 or higher on the same machine as the Houdini license manager

## Monitoring capabilities

| LM Type in the Broker | Commands | Logs | Quantity | Expiration date | Denied | Borrowing | Allocations | Report resolution |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Houdini | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | N/A | By minute |

Using the Broker also allows buffered communication and allows remote start and stop of the license manager service.

## OpenLM Broker configuration

*Diagram of how OpenLM interfaces with Houdini License Manager*

:::note
OpenLM Broker must be installed and configured to report to OpenLM SLM before proceeding.
:::

OpenLM Broker queries the Houdini license manager locally using the **Network License Manager** (`sesinetd`).  
It executes commands such as `sesictrl.exe -i` periodically to capture:

- Total licenses
- Licenses in use
- License expiration dates
- Usernames and hostnames
- License IDs and versions

### Automatic configuration

1. Open the Broker web UI.
2. Go to **License Managers** and select **Detect**.

   *Automatic detection in OpenLM Broker*

3. If the Houdini service is running, Broker will detect it and create a port node with all required settings.
4. Select **Apply** to save.
5. Verify the setup by going to **Commands → data_query** and selecting **Execute**.

### Manual configuration

If auto-detect fails:

1. Go to **License Managers** → **Add License Manager**.

   *Manually adding a Houdini license manager in OpenLM Broker*

2. Select **Houdini** from the **LM Type** drop-down list.
3. Enter the port number (default: `1075`) and select **Add**.
4. In the **Executable Path** field, browse to the root folder where Houdini (`sesinetd`) is installed, then select **Save**.

   *Setting executable path for Houdini in OpenLM Broker*

5. Go to the **Vendors** tab. Enter `Houdini` as the vendor name and select **Continue**.

   *Adding Houdini vendor in OpenLM Broker*

6. Select **Save**.

## OpenLM configuration

If the preceding steps are complete, Broker should be transmitting data to OpenLM SLM.  

### Automatic configuration in EasyAdmin

1. Open EasyAdmin.
2. Go to **Start → Widgets → License Manager Servers**.
3. Select the **Servers Pending Approval** link.
4. Locate the Houdini entry and select **Approve**.

   *Approving a Houdini license manager in EasyAdmin*

### Manual configuration in EasyAdmin

If automatic configuration fails:

1. Go to **License Manager Servers** → **Add**.
2. From the **Type** drop-down list, select **Houdini**.
3. Enter a description (for example, `Houdini`).
4. Set the **Time Zone** to where the license server is located.
5. Enter the **Hostname** and **Port** (matching the Broker settings).
6. Ensure **Allow server fallback to the denied license** is off.
7. Activate **Use Broker**.
8. Select **Save**.

## Verify your configuration

1. Open EasyAdmin.
2. Go to **Start → Widgets → License Manager Servers**.
3. Confirm that the Houdini license manager appears in the list with a green circle icon.

:::note
It may take up to 3 minutes for the status to update after a new connection.
:::