3.2 Floating Licenses

License Spring environment

Floating licenses can be shared by multiple machines, but with a limit on how many users can use them at the same time. Each user with a floating license key can activate and use the license if it is available.

Activating licenses

To use the VIBES software, you first need to activate one or more licenses in the VIBES license settings tool. Activating a license does not mean you are acquiring or using it yet. Activation simply stores the license information on your machine, making it available for use when needed. When you activate a license, you can see its status, type, expiration date, features, and availability. You actually acquire the license and begin using the software only when you click “Start the Software” or “Borrow” (these options are explained later).

To activate a license, complete the next steps:

1. Open the VIBES license settings tool (instructions here).
2. Click Activate new license in the license dropdown.
3. Type (or paste) the 16-character license key.
4. Click Activate.

Acquiring licenses

Licenses are acquired when the application is started and returned when the application closes.

To acquire a license, complete the next steps:

1. Select the desired license from the licenses dropdown.
2. Click Start software.

Borrowing and returning licenses

If you need to use a license for an extended period or in an offline setting, you can borrow the license. When the license is borrowed, it is kept on your machine.

To borrow a license, complete the next steps:

1. Select the desired license from the licenses dropdown.
2. Click Borrow, and a new window will open.
3. Type the number of hours.
4. Click OK.
5. Click Start Software.

If you want to return the license before the set time, open the VIBES license settings tool and click Return (while you have an internet connection).

Deactivating licenses

If you deactivate a license, it will no longer appear in the licenses list. You deactivate a license, for example, if you are not planning to use it anymore or if it has expired.

To deactivate a license, complete the next steps:

1. Select the license from the license dropdown.
2. Click Deactivate license.

Flexera environment

Floating licenses can be shared by multiple machines and only allow a single concurrent use. These licenses are generated on a server and can be used by all users that have access to the server, but not simultaneously. Floating licenses can be generated either on an external or on a local server.

• Flexera license servers: they are external servers that are created in the Flexera environment (Flexnet operations). In each server, licenses are generated by VIBES and become available to users.
• Network license servers: VIBES can also generate licenses on your local server. For this case, a separate procedure needs to be implemented in collaboration with you.

Activating floating licenses

Accessing the cloud server

The first step needed to activate floating licenses is accessing the server in which they are stored. The server credentials are stored in a .JSON file that VIBES has shared with you.

To access the cloud server, complete the next steps:

1. Open the VIBES License Manager (instructions here).
2. Click License server settings. A new window will appear.
3. Click Import settings and load .JSON file provided by VIBES.
4. If applicable (only for new license manager), pick the correct server from the License server type dropdown.
5. Select Save and close.

Checking the server status

After accessing the server, you need to check the status to verify if it is connected. The server status is shown at the top right of the window and can be:

• Connected, followed by a green circle.
• Disconnected, followed by a red circle.

Acquiring floating licenses

You need to acquire floating licenses on the machine to use them in a session. For each session, you must acquire at least one license.

To acquire floating licenses, complete the next steps:

1. In the Licenses on server window, select all the licenses that you need.
2. Click Acquire selected.

Server checkout policy and borrowing period

When acquiring floating licenses you can decide the server license checkout policy. You can choose between:

• Keep licenses on the machine until expiry.
• Return licenses on application exit and restore on start.

To set the checkout policy, complete the next steps:

1. Click License server settings.
2. Select the desired policy from the Server license checkout policy drop-down.
3. If you set to keep them on the machine upon expiry, type the desired borrow period duration (max 14 days).
4. Click Save and close.

Returning floating licenses

If you want to manually return floating licenses to the server, complete the next steps:

1. Select the licenses to return from the Available licenses window.
2. Click Return selected.
3. Press Continue.