1.3.11. Licensing Dialogs¶

1.3.11.1.1. Node Locked Licensing¶

In this mode the APEX DS application is licensed using an APEX provided Flexera FlexNET format license file. The steps to obtain such a license file are as follows:

• Install the software if not already installed.
• Run the software. From the initial splash screen invoke the license configuration dialog.
• Record the Host ID from the registration window and provide it to APEX, Inc.
• APEX will return a license file (.lic extension). Install the license file according to the method selected on the license configuration panel (shown below).

Example License Configuration Dialog: Custom mode

Node locked license files can be installed using one of the following two methods:

• Default: In this mode the file most be copied to the ‘../licenses’ directory relative to the location of the main application executable file. Generally, only a single license file should be kept in this directory. When updating licenses remove the previous, expired files.

• Custom: In this mode the file can be copied to an arbitrary location under the host OS file system, Its location will have to be entered on the license configuration dialog.

  Note

  The two methods described above may give different results in case multiple users are using the software. For this case the “Default” methods may work better, When using the ‘Custom’ method, select a directory that is accessible for all intended users.

1.3.11.1.2. Server Based Licensing¶

When using server based licensing nothing needs to be configured or installed on the client machine(s) running the APEX software. The management of the license server host is beyond the scope of this Manual. To configure server based licensing only the server’s IP address or host name needs to be entered on the configuration dialog page shown below.

Example License Configuration Dialog: Server mode

APEX DS suite applications support borrowing licenses from the configured servers. Borrowed licenses are essentially node locked licenses (license files) created against the server’s authorized license counts. They can have a (Flexera imposed) life time of up to one year. During this time interval borrowed licenses allow running the application with the host computer disconnected from the server’s network. After reconnecting the host the borrowed licenses can also be returned early before their expiration date.

1.3.11.1.3. OpenCode Licensing¶

The OpenCode mode is a form of node locked licensing. The major difference is that instead of license files it uses alphanumeric code groups (6..10 groups of six character codes) to perform all license request, activation, deactivation and removal operations. OpenCode is based on Flexera’s ‘Trusted Storage’ technology that allows the verified installation and removal of application licenses. OpenCode licensing is configured on the dialog window page shown below.

Example License Configuration Dialog: OpenCode mode

APEX, Inc. maintains an OpenCode activation server that can be used to perform all operations listed below without support. The following operations are supported:

• Request Open Code Activation: Creates a new activation request. The displayed code must be entered on the activation server. This will generate a ‘pending request’ on the requesting host.
• Process Response: This allows processing a pending activation request after entering the activation server generated response code. This step completes the license activation sequence.
• Cancel Open Code Activation: This allows removing a pending request without completing the transaction on the activation server.
• Return Open Code: This will deactivate the license(s) owned by the APEX DS application and generate a code using which the “credit” for them cam be reclaimed on the APEX activation server.

The ‘Manage Trusted Storage’ button will switch the dialog page to a different mode where the available choices are for various (sometimes risky!) operations on the ‘Trusted Storage’ contents.

• Install Trusted Storage: Install the FlexNET software components on the target host. This has to be done only once.
• Trusted Storage Contents: Lists all stored licenses for all OpenCode licensed APEX applications.
• Reset Trusted Storage: Removes all stored licenses for all OpenCode licensed APEX applications.
• Remove Open Code: Removes a license without a return transaction.

Warning

Except for the Trusted Storage installation (when needed and only once) and listing operations do not use the actions on this page without being explicitly instructed to do so by APEX support.