What is FlexLM? What is FlexNet?
OpenLM's support for FlexLM
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General Overview of FlexLM / FlexNet Publisher
FLEXlm (now known as FlexNet Publisher) is a widely used software license management system that enables software vendors to control and limit the number of software licenses distributed to their customers. FLEXlm supports multiple licensing models, including floating (concurrent-use) licenses and node-locked licenses, making it a flexible solution for managing software usage across organizations. It is often categorized as a Digital Rights Management (DRM) tool for enterprise software.
Originally developed in 1988 by GLOBEtrotter Software in collaboration with Highland Software, FLEXlm has undergone several ownership and branding changes:
In 2000, GLOBEtrotter was acquired by Macrovision, and the product was rebranded as FlexNet.
In 2008, the business was sold to Acresso Software, which was later renamed Flexera Software.
The product became officially known as Flexera FlexNet Publisher, though it is still commonly referred to as FLEXlm or FlexLM.
In 2011, Flexera was acquired by the Canadian Teachers’ Private Capital Fund.
Today, FlexNet Publisher remains one of the most popular license management solutions for engineering, CAD, simulation, and enterprise software.
Monitoring and Managing FlexLM/FlexNet Publisher with OpenLM
FlexLM is so widely used that it has become the de facto standard in license management.
OpenLM has taken great care to provide extensive support for the various FlexLM monitoring and management features, often exceeding the scope and functionality of the original Flexera tools.
FlexNet License Manager Operation Overview (Operation)
A typical FlexNet license manager configuration looks like this:
License Server Manager
The lmadmin or lmgrd FlexLM daemon is provided by the software vendor of your FLEX-enabled application or by Flexera Software. Its role is to communicate with the application and receive license requests from it. It then passes the request to the appropriate vendor daemon for processing.
VENDOR DAEMON
It is created by a software vendor and is unique to each Flex-enabled application installed on a network. The role of the vendor daemon is to process license requests and determine whether to grant or deny the request based on the number of available licenses and predefined license usage limits.
License File
It is created by the software supplier (software vendor) and contains detailed license information such as the quantity of licenses and their validity period.
Trusted Storage
Some software vendors offer an alternative to license files in an encrypted format called “Trusted Storage.”
Debug and Report Logs
FlexNet logs are written by the license server manager ( lmadminor lmgrd). These logs typically record information such as: license checkouts (loans), license check-ins (returns), and license denials (due to insufficient licenses, exceeded limits, etc.).
Option File
A file created by a license administrator that is used to restrict license usage to specific users or user groups.
Why Software License Management?
The need for effective software license management typically stems from one of the following business challenges:
High software costs and a need to reduce expenses
Uncertainty over the effectiveness of the new licensing model
Concerns about compliance with license agreements with software vendors
Not knowing what software is owned and used within your organization
OpenLM's software license management tool
OpenLM is a software license management tool designed for organizations using engineering software, particularly those licensed under a concurrent license model . For license inventory management, OpenLM automatically manages ledger accounting, providing accurate details on paid vendors, products, and features . It also identifies features purchased but never used . OpenLM’s software license management capabilities provide the opportunity to discontinue license renewals for unused features , leading to cost savings. OpenLM also provides software metering (usage monitoring, auditing, and reporting) to provide visibility into the usage of engineering applications and support their effective use within the organization. This maximizes license utilization while reducing denials, such as when engineers are unable to check out a license . ( See ” Software Licensing Tools ” for more information.)
License Manager and License Monitor
A common mistake made by people managing software licenses is believing that the license manager software provided by the vendor will ensure optimal software utilization. However, the primary purpose of these license managers is to prevent usage beyond the number of concurrent users permitted by the license agreement , without providing any analysis of optimal utilization or usage . If you would like to learn more about software license management or OpenLM’s license management tools, please contact us .
FAQ
An application is software that runs on an end-user’s workstation. For example, a software vendor like Autodesk offers a variety of applications, including AutoCAD , Revit , and Inventor .
Once you fill out the inquiry form, our sales team will contact you to help you get started. After the demo, you will be assigned a dedicated support representative who will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have from the start of implementation to operation.
OpenLM’s pay-per-user pricing gives organizations of all sizes the flexibility to manage their software estate. OpenLM’s Monitoring edition gives you the insight you need into your license consumption, while the Automation edition gives you greater control over your licenses. And if you don’t want to be tied down to an annual contract , you can subscribe to OpenLM Cloud for a monthly payment option.
The OpenLM Academic Program was established to provide license management software to accredited degree-granting universities and colleges for non-profit, non-commercial, educational use.
Our pricing is based on the number of users, not the number of applications, giving you the flexibility to choose a subscription plan that meets your license management needs. The Monitoring plan includes all the tools you need to understand your license consumption, while the Automation edition extends OpenLM’s capabilities to give you even greater control over your software estate.
At OpenLM, we are committed to providing the best possible experience for our customers.
No matter which solution you choose, we offer the same level of support . However, compared to the on-premise version , OpenLM Cloud requires no software installation and allows you to set up a monitoring system in minutes , making it quicker and easier to start managing your licenses.
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