The Top Alternative to Network License Manager

Elise Williams

2023-09-08 16:30:03 • Filed to: Software for Business • Proven solutions

The improper management of software licenses can result in a huge financial burden. This is why it’s important to research license management software that will be a fit for your organization.

One option for license management software is Network License Manager. Read on to discover how to use the program, and why it might be the right tool for your organization.

What is Network License Manager

Through a network license, users on the same IP or TCP network are able to make use of product licenses. However, to effectively control license distribution across all users, a Network license manager is needed. After you run Autodesk products, a license is requested through the license server on the network. Network license manager will then assign the license to a PC and the total licenses available on a server will be reduced, depending on the number of licenses available and assigned.

Once a user no longer needs a product license, immediately the license to the software reverts to the Network License Manager. If multiple sessions are running within one product from Autodesk on one PC, only a single license is needed. Once the last session ends or is closed, the product license will be freed. Anytime the network version of a product from Autodesk has started, the Network license manager will receive a request for a license.

The Benefits of Using Network License Manager

Network License Manager has a range of benefits that help you successfully manage your software licenses:

Feature codes: Upon use of Autodesk products, a request will be extended immediately to the Network License Manager for licenses to be provided. To handle and issue these licenses, the license manager controls the request through feature codes. Each Autodesk product network version always has a unique feature code.
Codes necessity: NLM is programmed to provide licenses for Autodesk products and software versions into the hundreds, and each of these products requires a specific identifier. Three unique feature codes are provided; maintenance plan product specific codes, multi-user access subscription product specific codes and specific product version feature codes. Feature codes of Autodesk products are utilized in debug log files, support articles, license files and options files, among others.
Yearly feature codes: Every year feature codes for all products are published by Autodesk to help understand the proper feature code for a specific product.
System requirements: To effectively run the Network license manager, your system must meet specific operating requirements for Windows Systems, Mac OS X systems and Linux Systems. Ensure the OS you're using meets the diverse requirements for smooth running of the Network License Manager.
Server model: Through Network license manager you can select one of three servers to distribute software licenses to from Autodesk through networks. All three models of servers can combine any of the different accepted operating systems from Linux Servers, Mac OS X and Windows. These server models include Single License, Distributed License and Redundant License. Manager update: Licensing servers should always be updated with the recent Network license manager version after release to avoid problems with licenses to foster compatibility with recent Autodesk software versions.
Reconfigure licensing: Where licensing services that had been configured earlier used a past Network license manager version, it is required that they are re-configured once the latest license manager version has been installed.

Introduction on How to Use Network License Manager

If you feel this is the right tool for you, follow these steps to start using Network License Manager:

Check system requirements first: Ensure your computer meets the different system requirements for your specific operating system.
Installation method 1: You can have the Network license manager installed to a default location through Installer Media from Autodesk. If you don't like the default location where the license manager is installed, you can change it.
Method 2: If you're unable to use Autodesk's Installer Media, download and install Network License Manager from Autodesk and carry out the installation thereafter.
Most recent version: To download the most recent version of Network license manager version that is supported on your operating systems, you can do so using Windows, Mac OS and Linux links.
Network license file: An Autodesk software network license file is needed for the Network license manager to run properly. Both the physical address and host name of the servers that will run the license manager are needed. Together with the serial number of the product, they're submitted to Autodesk to provide the network license file for efficient running of the Network license manager.
More than one product: To create network licensing for more than one product, you’ll need to ensure you've installed the Network license manager first. Specify the port for every vendor product or service, and then configure the Autodesk products' FLEXnet license. Run the Autodesk product's FLEXnet license service and configure other vendors FLEXnet license services as well. Begin using the license server of the other vendor. Prior to setting up any network licensing for more than one product, ensure all license files have been backed up.

Why PDFelement is the Best Network License Management Alternative

While Network License Manager is a great option, it’s also important to note that PDFelement can be a great alternative license management tool as well.