See answers to these questions below.
Q: How can I get started using NI Volume License Manager (VLM)?
A: With just a few simple steps, you can have NI VLM up and running. Follow the steps in the KnowledgeBase to set up NI VLM for your company.
Q: What are volume license installers?
A: Volume license installers contain four components: (1) the software installer, (2) permission requests for licenses in NI VLM, (3) Volume License Agreement (VLA) administrator information, and (4) connection information about the NI VLM host server. Because these four components manage all your permissions, you no longer need to keep track of individual media or control installer access.
Q: What is a license set?
A: A license set is a name that administrators define while using the Create Volume License Installer wizard that assigns permissions to a group of users with the same license requirements. Using license sets, you can create multiple installers for different groups of users.
Q: What is in the usage log?
A: The usage log contains the check-outs and check-ins of every feature on your license server. These include timestamps, feature and package names, license types, users, computers, cost centers, and departments.
Q: Can I change a stand-alone software installation to an installation managed by NI VLM?
A: Yes. Though a stand-alone software installation is not managed through NI VLM by default, it is possible to alter the software installation so the software does look to NI VLM for its license. You can accomplish this by using some of the files created in a volume license installer. You can use VLM to easily create volume license installers. Refer to the KnowledgeBase for more details on this and other procedures for having a stand-alone installation use NI VLM as its license server.
Q: What are the minimum requirements to run the NI VLM?
A: NI VLM requires Microsoft Windows XP/2000 or Windows Server 2003/2000. NI VLM supports clients using Microsoft Windows Vista, but does not run on Windows Vista. Most computers on a network should be able to access this server computer. By having the server accessible to most users, the users' software can check for permission to launch over the network. If a computer cannot access the server computer, you can create a disconnected license for that computer.
Q: How are software users affected if NI VLM is inaccessible?
A: If NI VLM is inaccessible, products using NI VLM as the license server are able to run for 14 days starting from the first time the computer could not connect to the server - as long as the product launched successfully the previous time it was used. Fourteen days should be sufficient for the server or network connection to be repaired. If you foresee needing a backup license for reasons other than temporary server issues, consider generating a disconnected license for that machine.
Q: How can I obtain an agreement license file for NI VLM?
A: Send your computer ID, server name, and company name to your local National Instruments agreements representative at agreements@ni.com to obtain your agreement license file. National Instruments responds with your license file and instructions on how to install the license file.
Q: How do I submit Volume License Program (VLP) user names for technical support?
A: From NI VLM, go to Options " Preferences " Policies. Check the option to "Include Owner Information in Activity Log." Click OK to close the Preferences window. Then save the activity log by selecting Options " Save Activity Log. NI VLM instructs you to e-mail the saved activity log to National Instruments. In the e-mail, be sure to state that you are sending the activity log to submit the names of users for technical support.
Q: How do I install my Volume Software Agreement license file?
A: You must install a new license file on your system any time your contract changes because your agreement period has changed, you have changed products or seats on the agreement, or a new version of a product has released. There are two methods for installing a license file:
1. Select Options " Install License File from NI VLM (or press ) and select the license file to install
2. Select the license file in your Windows file browser and drag it anywhere onto NI VLM
NI VLM then updates to reflect the addition of the new license file.
Q: How do I manage software used on laptops with NI VLM?
A: If you are disconnecting your laptop from the server computer running NI VLM, you may choose to create a disconnected license for that computer. See the NI VLM Help for more information on how to create a disconnected license.
If the laptop is able to access the server computer over a network, you can grant the laptop permission to run certain products just as you would grant a license for any other computer. This process is described in the NI VLM Help under the "Manage Computers" section.
Q: After I create a disconnected license from NI VLM, how do I use it?
A: After you have created a disconnected license, simply take the license file to the user's computer. On the user's computer, open NI License Manager (Start " Programs " National Instruments " NI License Manager). Either drag and drop the license file into the right pane of the License Manager or go to Options " Install License File to install the disconnected license file.
Q: Can I move NI VLM to a new server?
A: Yes, you can move NI VLM to a new server. The process of moving NI VLM includes installing NI VLM on the new server, acquiring and installing a new license file, and reconfiguring the client computers for the new server. For detailed instructions on completing this process, refer to the KnowledgeBase document, How Can I Move NI Volume License Manager to a New Server?
Q: How can I change my client computer to look for a new NI VLM server?
A: The recommended way to ensure the clients point to the proper server is to switch the Windows names of the new and old server. If this method is not possible, you can point the client computers to the new NI VLM server by opening NI License Manager on each client computer and modifying the new server name in Options " Preferences " Network Servers. For more information, please see the Client Modifications section of KnowledgeBase document, How Can I Move NI Volume License Manager to a New Server?
Q: How can I use a National Instruments license file with my existing FLEXlm configuration?
It is possible to use your existing FLEXlm system instead of NI VLM to manage your licenses. You can find detailed instructions for setting this up in this Getting Started with FLEXnet Manager tutorial.
If you use FLEXlm instead of using NI VLM, there are certain features of NI VLM that are not available to you, including overdraft, disconnected, and home license files. With overdrafting, you can allow more permissions than the agreement allows. With disconnected license files, you can create a license file for a computer that is disconnected from the license server network.
Q: Can NI VLM run on a configurable port?
A: Yes. NI VLM runs by default on port 27000. In the online KnowledgeBase , three options to change the default port number are described in detail.
Q: How do I prepare for my Volume License Agreement (VLA) renewal?
A: Before you renew your VLA, you must submit information showing that you have complied with NI software policies. If you are using NI VLM, send your activity compliance report to agreements@ni.com . If you are not using NI VLM, fill out the compliance form and the VLA support user list and send them to agreements@ni.com .
