PDF1. License Types
National Instruments provides different licensing options to meet your needs. Read about the different license offerings and terminology to better understand your license options. All definitions are subject to the terms of the Standard License Agreement.
Computer-Based License: One license per installation, also known as “host-based”, “seat-based”, or “node-locked”. Software may be transferred between computers by first uninstalling it from the original computer. This license allows for an additional installation at home. In NI Volume License Manager (NI VLM) this license is based on the Windows computer name.
Named-User License: License for an individual user to run the software, also known as “user-based” license. With NI’s Named-User License, the software can be installed on up to 3 computers and can be running on only 1 computer at a time. This license allows for an additional installation at home. In NI VLM this license is based on Windows username.
Volume License: Uses a Volume License Agreement (VLA) to extend named-user/computer-based licenses or add concurrent licenses for multiple copies of the software. Named-user and computer-based volume licenses generally follow the same usage rules as individual licenses purchased separately.
Concurrent License: Software installed on unlimited computers at certain sites, as long as no more than X instances of the software are in use at any given time, where X = the number of concurrent seats purchased. License use is restricted to the Americas, Europe, or Asia and cannot cross regions. There are 2 types of concurrent licenses, managed and unmanaged:
Managed Concurrent: Access to the pool of licenses is restricted either by user or computer (Example: 10 LV PDS licenses only for Group A, 5 LV FDS licenses for Group B, etc)
Unmanaged Concurrent: There is no restriction on what users or what computers are granted a license from the pool of concurrent licenses
Debug License: Computer-based license used for fixing issues on an application or system that has already been created with a development license. You typically use debug licenses when an application is deployed, and you need to periodically resolve issues with the code. To learn what software products have debug licenses, see the NI Deployment and Debug Software Licenses.
Deployment License: Computer-based license that is required for distributing applications developed using particular software products. You must purchase one deployment license for each target computer on which the application will run. Consult the product documentation for complete information on available licenses. To learn what software products have debug licenses, see the NI Deployment and Debug Software Licenses.
2. Volume License Program
All definitions are subject to the terms of the Standard License Agreement.
NI Volume License Manager (NI VLM) Software asset management tool that is included with your VLA to help manage and understand NI software use at your company. NI VLM lets your company control end-user access to NI software. Proper use of NI VLM also verifies software compliance with NI. Companies also have the option to use FLEXnet as an alternative to NI VLM.
Software Administrator Each VLA has a single point of contact called the Software Administrator who is responsible for distributing and overseeing the installation and use of the master installation disks for the software and maintaining NI VLM or FLEXnet. To add existing licenses to the VLA, the Software Administrator must give NI the product, platform, and serial number for each license. These serial numbers are cancelled and replaced by a single serial number for each product in the VLA agreement.
Site the physical location of the Software Administrator unless otherwise specified
Software Service Software service is required for each license, is charged on an annual basis, and is only pro-rated when you submit purchase orders and pay the applicable licenses prior to the date the software is installed for each additional license.
VLP Term Each VLA is a year contract can be renewed in one year periods. NI reserves the right to revise the renewal fee. If you do not renew all of your licenses, NI will issue you a license file that does not expire that will allow you to continue to use your software. If you want to break into single seat licenses you will receive new serial numbers for a fee. If you do not contact NI, you will not be able to use your licenses 60 days after your renewal date.
NI Software Compliance As part of your VLA, you are required to submit information showing that you complied with NI software policies. If you are using NI VLM, these logs, called Activity Compliance Logs, are created for you automatically.
Transfer You may transfer licenses among users within the VLA, but licenses are non-transferable outside of the VLA.
3. Restrictions
You may not reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, sub-license, lease, rent, distribute in whole or part, modify, create derivatives, directly or indirectly export, re-export, download, or ship the software in violation of the laws and regulations of the U.S.A. and the laws and regulations of the applicable jurisdiction in which you use or are downloading the software.
4. Upgrades
You can only use an upgrade license if you have a valid license to use the pre-existing software. You can continue to use the pre-existing software or the upgrade, but they may not be used at the same time or on more computers than a single license allows. If you use the pre-existing software you can use it in accordance with the license accompanying the pre-existing or upgrade software.
