Software License Management

The software license protects both the customer and vendor from illicit use of software products. iFOR/LS (formerly NetLS) from Gradient Technologies, Inc., and FLEXlm, the flexible license manager from GLOBEtrotter Software, Inc., are the most commonly used software licensing system within Unix.

Managing Software Products with iFOR/LS

You can implement iFOR/LS licensing easily by inserting simple function calls into a program. These functions make location-transparent calls to a "logical license server." Any available server on the network can hold and distribute valid licenses for an application, allowing it to run. Licenses are released when the user is finished with the application.

iFOR/LS offers a wide portfolio of licenses including,

Concurrent: allows a given number of simultaneous users
Nodelocked: locks the application to a given machine or node
Site: allows unlimited use of an application within a site
Personal-Use: reserved for use by a designated user or group
Named-User: reserved for use by a particular (named) user
Demo: licenses are valid for a limited time or number of uses

iFOR/LS is supported under HP-UX, IRIX, Solaris, SunOS, Digital Unix, AIX and a few other operating systems.

For additional optional information see

HP-UX Online documentation "Managing Software Products with iFOR/LS"
"The iFOR/LS Software Licensing System"
"Network License System Administration Guide"

FLEXlm, the flexible license manager

FLEXlm supports a wide range of licensing policies from node-locked to networked concurrent-use, to usage-based licensing. You'll also find many sophisticated licensing schemes in FLEXlm, including the ability to bundle software products into suites.

FLEXlm is independent of the operating system. FLEXlm runs on over 30 UNIX open systems platforms and supports a wide range of license models.

For additional optional reading see