FLEXnet publisher (formerly known as FLEXlm) is a software license manager utilized by companies to manage software shared by different people on different workstations. With what are termed “floating licenses,” FLEXnet enables end users to draw and return software licenses from a license pool on a host server.
What is a FLEXnet Options file?
An Options file defines various operating parameters of the license manager.
Creating/Editing an Options file
In order to create an Options file, save a text document in the same folder as the license file. Name the document according to the vendor name, followed by the extension “.opt”
For example, an Options file for Matlab will be named “mlm.opt”. Accordingly, Options files for Autodesk and ESRI ArcGIS would be named “adskflex.opt” and “ARCGIS.opt,” respectively.
Allocating licenses to a specific user group
First, define a group with the keyword “GROUP,” followed by the name of the group, followed by the members of that group. Names are all case sensitive.
Example: A group called “Matlab_Users,” consisting of Billy, Jim, and Kim
GROUP Matlab_Users billy jim kim
Next, to select which licenses to allocate to that group, type the keyword “INCLUDE,” followed by the feature name, followed by the group name.
Example: Allocating feature “Optimization Toolbox” to the group “Matlab_Users”
INCLUDE MATLAB GROUP Matlab_Users
These two steps are combined:
GROUP Matlab_Users billy jim kim INCLUDE MATLAB GROUP Matlab_Users
Limiting individuals or groups of users to a maximum number of licenses
In order to limit the usage of a feature by a group, first allocate the license to that group or individual as demonstrated above. Then, set a usage limit with the keyword “MAX,” followed by the name of the feature, followed by the group name.
Example: Limiting the max number of Autocad 2002 licenses used by group “Autocad_Users,” consisting of users Ronald and Lisa, to 7. (41100ACD_2002_OF is the name of the Autocad 2002 feature)
GROUP Autocad_Users ronald lisa INCLUDE 41100ACD_2002_0F GROUP Autocad_Users MAX 7 41100ACD_2002_0F GROUP Autocad_Users
Excluding access to specific features
Enter the keyword “EXCLUDE,” followed by the feature name, followed by group or individual being excluding.
Example: Excluding user Franklin from feature “Geosteering plug-in for Petrel 2013”
EXCLUDE OCEAN_SLB_SIM_GEOSTEERING franklin
Controlling license borrowing
To allow someone to borrow a feature, use keyword “BORROW,” followed by the name of the borrowed feature, followed by the user or group of users.
Example: Including users Bill and Sam in the list to borrow the feature Ansys Fluent
BORROW fluent bill sam
Alternately, to exclude someone from borrowing a feature, simply replace “BORROW” with “EXCLUDE_BORROW”
Example: Excluding users Bill and Sam from the list to borrow the feature Ansys Fluent
EXCLUDE_BORROW fluent bill sam
A “borrow lowwater” determines the number of licenses that must remain unused at any given time. Enter the keyword “BORROW_LOWWATER,” followed by the feature name, followed by the number of licenses that can’t be borrowed.
Example: Setting a borrow lowwater for the feature autocad at 5
BORROW_LOWWATER autocad 5
To adjust how long a license feature can be borrowed, enter “MAX_BORROW_HOURS,” followed by the feature name, followed by the number of hours
Example: Maxing the number of hours a solidworks feature license can be borrowed for at 15 hours
MAX_BORROW_HOURS sldworks 15
Setting license timeout
FLEXlm license timeout is a feature that releases inactive licenses back to the license pool. Enter the keyword “TIMEOUT,” followed by name of the feature, followed by the time (in seconds) after which inactive licenses are released. To set a timeout for all features, simply enter “TIMEOUTALL,” followed by the time.
Example: Setting timeout for Matlab Database Toolbox for 14400 seconds (4 hours)
TIMEOUT Database_Toolbox 14400
Example: Setting a timeout for all licenses for 108000 (3 hours)
TIMEOUTALL 108000
The OpenLM Difference
OpenLM allows users to harness the full capability of Options files using a unique graphical user interface. This interface dramatically simplifies the process of managing license parameters by allowing companies to use active directory groups to automatically generate Options files.
