PMOD License Server Installation

PMOD Software Installation

The computer for the PMOD license server doesn't require a high performance, but needs to be running continually. Therefore, a robust, vintage machine is sufficient as a PMOD license server. Preferably, it is also dedicated to serving the PMOD license, because the license server is a standard process rather than a Windows service.

To install the PMOD license server first perform the steps described in the Stand-Alone PMOD installation including copying of the license file and connecting the USB key.

Starting the License Server

The PMOD license server can then be started by executing the Pmod3.6/Start/RunLcsSvr.bat script containing the following lines

C:
cd "C:\Pmod3.6"
.\java\jre\bin\java -Xmx2G -jar pmtsvr.jar 5000 -ls
pause

The meaning of the command arguments is:
-Xmx2G: Size allocated to the license server
5000: IP port over which the license server communicates
-ls: license server only, no data sharing
-d: This option can be added for more verbose output

Note: The script has been tailored to the installation directory. Therefore, if the Pmod3.6 directory is moved to a different location, the path needs to be adjusted. The USB key needs to remain connected at all times during license server operation.

Log Output

The command window will show startup information and log the checking out/in events as illustrated below.

C:\Pmod3.6\Start>C:
C:\Pmod3.6\Start>cd "C:\Pmod3.6"
C:\Pmod3.6>.\java\jre\bin\java -Xmx2G -jar pmtsvr.jar 5000 -ls
Java version: 1.8.0_25
***
Started on license [9]
***
License Server [Version 3.601 A (c) 1996 - 2014 by PMOD Technologies]
Verbose: false, Secure: false, Compressed: false
***
Port: 5000
Started on: PMOD-CB2/192.168.55.103
License Server: [ ON ] STANDALONE (Use <Ctrl+C> to stop), Number of Server Licenses: 3
Memory Assigned: 1820 MB
--> License Server started [Fri Jul 25 16:43:40 CEST 2014] : on port 5000
1) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
Number of free licenses: 2

1) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
2) 192.168.55.104-192.168.55.104
Number of free licenses: 1

===> REMOVE: 192.168.55.104-192.168.55.104, 1406299586017
1) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
Number of free licenses: 2

===> REMOVE: 192.168.55.104-192.168.55.104, 1406299586017
1) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
2) 192.168.55.104-192.168.55.104
Number of free licenses: 1

1) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
2) 192.168.55.104-192.168.55.104
3) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
Number of free licenses: 0

At this time clients can't connect any longer, but will see the window illustrated below.

Another client needs to stop
===> REMOVE: 192.168.55.104-192.168.55.104, 1406299700154
1) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
2) 127.0.0.1-192.168.55.103
Number of free licenses: 1
before connection is possible again and Connect to License Server will work.

Multiple Licenses Management

Multiple licenses can be served by a single PMOD installation. In order to use this feature please rename the different license files (pstarter.lcs) by appending the license numbers in square brackets (pstarter[1324].lcs, pstarter[427].lcs, ...) and copy them into the Pmod3.6/properties/system/lcs folder. There are two scenarios, a single license server managing multiple licenses simultaneously, or a separate license server for each license.

If the license server script RunLcsSvr.bat is started without modification, it will manage all licenses found in the directory. A specific license can then be defined in the RunPmod.bat script of the client by the command line option "-lsn[<PORT_NO>.<OPTIONAL_LICENSE_NO>@<IP_ADDRESS>", e.g.:
.\java\jre\bin\java -Xmx16G -jar pmod.jar -lsn[5000.1324@192.168.55.103] - to acquire license 1324
.\java\jre\bin\java -Xmx16G -jar pmod.jar -lsn[5000.427@192.168.55.103] - to acquire license 427

In order to operate a dedicated server for each license please create a separate server script for each license with the "-lic[<pattern>]" option included, e.g.
java -Xmx2G -jar pmtsvr.jar 5000 -ls -lic[1324]
java -Xmx2G -jar pmtsvr.jar 5001 -ls -lic[427]
A specific license can then be defined in the RunPmod.bat script of the client by the command line option "-lsn[<PORT_NO>@<IP_ADDRESS>" e.g. 
.\java\jre\bin\java -Xmx16G -jar pmod.jar -lsn[5000@192.168.55.103] - to acquire license 1324
.\java\jre\bin\java -Xmx16G -jar pmod.jar -lsn[5001@192.168.55.103] - to acquire license 427

The advantage of separate servers is that the processes can be independently started, stopped and monitored.

Emergency Restart

In the case of connection or license management problems the following procedure is recommended for restoring clean license handling:

1. Stop the license server.
2. Delete the contents of the Pmod3.6/properties/system/lcs/lct/ directory.
3. Start the license server again.

If this procedure is completed within 5 minutes, no shutdown of running PMOD clients is required.

Client Processing on License Server Machine

Although it is not recommended, client processing can be done on the same machine. To do so, a second PMOD installation has to be prepared as follows:

1. Copy Pmod3.6 to Pmod3.6LS. Pmod3.6 will be used for client processing, Pmod3.6LS for license serving.
2. Ensure that the license file (pstarter.lcs) is copied to Pmod3.6LS/properties/system/lcs.
3. Remove the license file from Pmod3.6/properties/system/lcs.
4. Modify Pmod3.6LS/Start/RunLcsSvr.bat to use the new path (Pmod3.6LS). Remove the other .bat files from this Start directory.
5. Remove RunLcsSvr.bat from Pmod3.6/Start.
6. Use Windows Switch User to login as different user (dedicated to run the License Server) e.g.: admin.pmod.
7. Start Pmod3.6LS/Start/RunLcsSvr.bat as admin.pmod user.
8. Switch back to the standard user and run Pmod3.6/Start/RunPmod.bat. Provide the computer name or the local IP to access the license server.

Please note that you need to provide proper RW privileges:

• admin.pmod - RW access to Pmod3.6LS
• other Pmod users - RW access to Pmod3.6
• all other non-Pmod users - no access to Pmod3.6 nor Pmod3.6LS

In this way the License Server will be running for all users, as long as the computer is not shut down.