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 Network Installers?
A: Network installers contain four components: the software installer, permission requests for licenses in NI VLM, Volume License Agreement (VLA) administrator information, and 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 CDs or control installer access.
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 names, package names, license types, users, computers, cost centers, departments, and so on.
Q: Can I Change a Stand-Alone Software Installation to an Installation Managed by the NI Volume License Manager?
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 network installer. You can create network installers easily using NI VLM. 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 Volume License Manager?
A: You should install NI Volume License Manager on a computer running Microsoft Windows XP/2000. Most computers on a network should be able to access this server computer. By having the server accessible to most end-users, the end-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 Volume License Manager Is Inaccessible?
A: If NI Volume License Manager is inaccessible for any reason, 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 Volume License Manager?
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 End-User Names for Technical Support?
A: From NI Volume License Manager, go to Options»Preferences»Policies. Check the option to "Include Owner Information in Activity Log." Click OK to close the Preferences window. Then go to Options»Save Activity Log to save the activity log. NI Volume License Manager instructs you to e-mail the saved activity log to National Instruments. Be sure to include in the e-mail that you are e-mailing the activity log to submit the names of end 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. The two methods for installing a license file follow.
- Select Options»Install License File from NI VLM (or press ) and select the license file to install
- Select the license file in your Windows file browser and drag it anywhere onto NI Volume License Manager
NI Volume License Manager then updates to reflect the addition of the new license file.
Q: How Do I Manage Software Used on Laptops with NI Volume License Manager?
A: If you are disconnecting your laptop from the server computer running NI Volume License Manager, you may choose to create a disconnected license for that computer. See the NI Volume License Manager 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 how you would grant a license for any other computer. This process is described in the NI Volume License Manager Help under the "Manage Computers" section.
Q: After I Create a Disconnected License from NI Volume License Manager, How Do I Use It?
A: After you have created a disconnected license, simply take the license file to the end-user's computer. On the end-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 Volume License Manager to a New Server?
A: Yes, you can move NI Volume License Manager 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 Volume License Manager Server?
A: When you create the network installer, it develops an executable called mslsetup.exe. This executable directs the client software to point to NI Volume License Manager. If your license server, server's computer name, or server's computer ID has changed, simply use the Create Network Installer tool within NI Volume License Manager (Options»Create Network Installer) to develop a network installer that has the mslsetup.exe created for the new NI Volume License Manager server.
After creating the mslsetup.exe, the client users simply have to run this executable. For additional security and improved performance, end users also should open the NI License Manager (Start»Programs»National Instruments»NI License Manager). Within this application, go to Options»Preferences. In the text field where you can set the network license server, ensure that the old NI Volume License Manager server name is not listed.
Q: How Can I Use a National Instruments License File with My Existing FLEXlm Configuration?
A: It is possible to use your existing FLEXlm system instead of NI VLM to manage your licenses. Find detailed instructions for setting this up in the online KnowledgeBase.
If you use FLEXlm instead of using NI VLM, there are certain features of NI VLM that are not available to you, including overdraft and 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 Volume License Manager Run on a Configurable Port?
A: Yes. NI Volume License Manager runs by default on port 27000. There are three options, described in detail in the online KnowledgeBase, to change the default port number.
Q: How Do I Prepare for My Volume License Agreement 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.
More Volume License Manager Resources
