BricsCAD:What is a network License file?

What is a network License file?

A nework license file is a text file that contains the floating license keys and is placed on a read/write network location, e.g. in the Bricsys office in Gent there is such a file on:

\\autoinstaller\public\NetworkLicense.lic

 

Users who want to use the license pool, enter the path to this file in the "Enter License Key" dialog. A radio button was added to choose between a regular license key or a network license file.

 

The file contains as many license keys as the requested number of floating licenses, e.g. for 5 licenses it could be this file :

 

KZV6-Z6MB-MQ3N-XYUV-EFWA-DNHG $

9YKR-YKA2-DBPR-GDVS-MWZG-66HE $

D6H3-K2KX-5XBV-MA7G-9YG8-ZTWV $

WV6W-DKB6-ZDX3-UZYA-9G3M-ZVWN $

16YG-WVYJ-BZK7-WK6N-VZ3W-1DAV $

 

The dollar sign after a key means that the key is not in use. When a BricsCAD session is started, it looks for a license key in the file that follows these 3 conditions:

The user type is "Network License"

The license key matches the product, language, platform, version, etc., just like a regular license key.

One of the following is true:

After the key there is a space + a dollar sign

After the key there is a space + the mac address of the machine this BricsCAD session is running on.

If it finds such a key, BricsCAD starts. If the key was free (dollar sign), then it writes the mac address instead of the dollar sign to lock it.

 

When BricsCAD shuts down, it replaces the mac address again by the dollar sign.

 

Note: Do not use the keys from the example : these are not valid license keys.

 

Symptoms

BricscCAD installs LicenseManager.dll, which supports floating network licensing.

 

Cause

How does it work?

 

More information

If BricsCAD crashes or is closed without access to the network, then the license key remains locked, until BricsCAD is closed again that same machine, with access to the network.

 

IMPORTANT :

 

It is not possible to lock a key and migrate it to a machine to run BricsCAD when not connected to the network. (e.g. it is not possible to use it on a laptop when this laptop is not connected to the network)

The user on the client machine where BricsCAD is running, has to have write access to the shared network drive where the network license file is placed.

A license key with user type 'Network License', does only work when used in a network license file. It can not be entered as a regular license key. Vice versa, a regular license key (User type 'Single User' or 'Volume License') can not be used in a network license file.