License Types

PMOD supports two license types: On-site (previously Standalone and Network) and Remote (previously Cloud) licenses.

Licensing, On-Site License

The PMOD On-site licensing mechanism consists of two components:

1.a USB protection key (WIBU-Box/RU, WIBU-SYSTEMS AG, http://www.wibu.com), and

2.a license file pstarter.lcs (in sub-directory system/lcs of the PMOD installation).

During PMOD startup the license information encoded in the USB key is read and compared to that in the license file. Only if the two informations match, startup proceeds. Next is a check whether the PMOD version purchased allows running the currently installed version. If all checks are successful, the PMOD ToolBox appears showing the purchased modules, and processing can start. Note that the USB protection key must remain connected to either the local machine or license server.

The PMOD on-site license may be operated as a single concurrent user local installation, or as a PMOD license server which manages a pool of purchased licenses, and an arbitrary number of PMOD clients which can check out unused licenses from the server. As soon as the PMOD program on a client is closed, the license is returned to the managed server pool. If the PMOD client crashes for some reason, the license is re-collected to the pool after about 15 minutes. On the other hand, if the license server is stopped, the clients show a warning message to the user and allow to continue work for a few minutes. Then, the clients will be stopped, unless the server has been started again.

On the license server PMOD is installed in the same way as for local operation with the USB key.

On the clients PMOD is also installed in the standard way, except that

•installation of the drivers for the USB protection key is not required;

•no license file is required.

Note the following:

•In Server-Client mode, the license server PMOD installation is typically intended for server purposes and not for data processing.

•The license server must be running and the USB key must be connected at all times.

•The license server and the clients must run the same PMOD version.

•It is not required that the license server and the clients have the same operating system.

Licensing, Remote License

The PMOD Remote licensing mechanism relies on a Remote License Server operated by PMOD Technologies. During startup of a local PMOD installation, the license server is contacted over the Internet and a Client ID provided. The license server returns information about the purchased configuration. If the currently installed version matches the license, the PMOD ToolBox appears showing the purchased modules and processing can start. Note that the Internet connection to the license server must be maintained while running PMOD.