About CodeMeter and Licensing Astrow

 
CodeMeter is a third party application that handles Astrow license. The license file will be deployed on a server, and all the clients in the network will connect to it. Therefore, Astrow and the license server must be in the same network.
 
There are 2 types of licenses:
 
  • Software License - a license file to be deployed on the same PC/Virtual Machine as License Server.
  • Hardware License - a USB dongle license that must be plugged in the same PC as License Server. It can also be used on another type of USB host – for example, an IP USB Hub.
 
The Software License is bound to the hardware configuration of the PC/Virtual Machine; therefore, it cannot be moved between computers. The license can be moved only if another license file is generated.
 
The Hardware License (USB Dongle) is not bound to any hardware configuration; therefore, it can be moved to any PC in the network that has CodeMeter runtime installed.
 
Please note that the USB dongle license is the only license that can be moved without costs or intervention from the supplier in case of PC crashes or changing the server!
 
For hardware crashes or change of server in case of a software license, see Procedure when Moving the Server.
 
Possibilities of license installation
 

License installation on physical PC

 
Our recommendation is to deploy a license file on a physical PC. This offers better stability, ensuring less chances of modifying the hardware configuration, compared with Virtual Machines. In this situation, Astrow can be installed on the same PC as License Server or other PCs or VMs in the network.
 

License installation on Virtual Machine

 
Deployment of a license on VM is not recommended. The risk is that once the VM is moved to another PC, the License Server will stop serving requests because the underlying hardware configuration has changed. The alternative option is the installation on a physical PC or Dongle on USB Hub.
 

License installation in a roaming environment

 
If the installation of a License Server or Astrow is done in a roaming environment (same installation duplicated on more servers or virtual machines with mirroring activated), we recommend you to install the License server on each server or virtual machine and separate license files for each PC in the roaming environment. This means you need license files for each PC/VM in the roaming environment.
For example, if you use a roaming environment with 3 servers, you should install 1 License Server on each server, and for each License Server a distinct license file must be deployed.
 

USB dongle license versus license file

 
USB dongle license is an option for customers who have a free USB port in a physical PC or USB hub (for example, a hub USB connected to a network IP). This license can be plugged into different computers at the customer’s disposal. Having a dongle license prevents the necessity of issuing a new license (possible with new costs) in case the computer crashes. The dongle must be acquired in advance from the supplier. Writing a license on a dongle will follow the procedure described in Licensing Astrow, dedicated chapters.
 
Please note that the USB dongle license is the only license that can be moved without costs or intervention from the supplier in case of PC crashes or changing the server!