Application Note 1000: OpenLM system structure overview

Table of contents

OpenLM
OpenLM’s customer testimonials
The OpenLM solution
Components of the OpenLM system
Block Diagram
OpenLM Software Modules
OpenLM Server
OpenLM EasyAdmin
OpenLM Broker
OpenLM Alert
OpenLM Utilizer Agent
OpenLM Active Agent
OpenLM External Data Base (DB) Support
OpenLM Groups & Projects
OpenLM Role Based Security
OpenLM Option File Management
OpenLM Logs Uploader

OpenLM

OpenLM is a licensing management software company with an international install base. Companies that use OpenLM’s software range from global corporations and nation-wide companies to small offices. Our company’s commitment to innovation guarantees that our clients constantly receive updates with the most advanced technology.

OpenLM’s customer testimonials

Please review a partial list of OpenLM’s satisfied customers,

http://www.openlm.com/index.php/about-us-topmenu-3/customers

and their testimonials:

https://www.openlm.com/testimonials/

The OpenLM solution

OpenLM’s Software provides a comprehensive management solution for license management software such as FLEXlm, FLEXnet, Sentinel RMS, Sentinel HASP, RLM, IBM LUM and LM-X. The software provides productivity tools for system administrators, managers and end users. OpenLM’s software supports the major trends in the field of license management, e.g.: license consolidation, Usage charge back (usage billing), usage trend analysis etc. The software provides a comprehensive solution that combines the best of breed software, superior support, implementation and consulting services, in order to ensure your success.

OpenLM is proudly ISO9001:2008 certified by the ANAB (the U.S. accreditation body for management systems), and an ESRI business partner.

OpenLM’s solution is tailored according to specific customer needs, optimizing the licensing system and increasing software productivity.

Components of the OpenLM system

OpenLM’s basic software package includes the core OpenLM Server module and its user interface; the OpenLM EasyAdmin module.

In addition to these core components, the OpenLM Broker and the OpenLM Utilizer Agent modules are incorporated in the basic software package, but their installation is not mandatory; The Open LM system can function without the use of these two components.

The OpenLM software package also includes several optional modules / capabilities, which are commonly referred to as “OpenLM extensions”. These extensions provide additional functions such as:

• OpenLM Active Agent (Active release of licenses)
• External DB support
• Groups and projects management
• Role based security
• Option file management
• OpenLM Alerts
• OpenLM Logs Uploader

The OpenLM Extensions are separately licensed:

• Some of them are included within the OpenLM Server but require additional licensing
• Others require the installation of an additional software module.

Block Diagram

Figure1 (below) shows a generalized block diagram of OpenLM’s license management solution:

OpenLM Software Modules

OpenLM Server

The OpenLM Server is the core element of the OpenLM system. It integrates the functionality of all other peripheral system components, such as the OpenLM EasyAdmin, OpenLM Agent, OpenLM Alerts, and OpenLM Broker. It is responsible for collecting information from various system components and storing it in an embedded relational DB. External databases like Oracle or Microsoft SQL Server are also supported.

The OpenLM Server is implemented as a Windows service and could be installed on any network machine. It enables monitoring and managing of multiple license servers, over LAN or WAN networks. Common OpenLM Server configurations may vary from one or more license managers nationwide to multiple license servers located worldwide, over different time zones.

OpenLM EasyAdmin

OpenLM EasyAdmin is the administrative interface of the OpenLM system. EasyAdmin’s control panel features a desktop interface that enables users to configure the OpenLM Server; OpenLM’s core component. Some of EasyAdmin’s main properties are listed below:

• EasyAdmin Easily extracts statistical license usage information from all attached license servers.
• EasyAdmin’s role-based security enables system administrators to grant varying degrees of access to different groups of users.
• EasyAdmin can run on any standard web browser (e.g.: Mozilla FireFox, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome) and be accessed from any machine in the organization.
• EasyAdmin features a touch interface that is compatible with mobile operating systems like Android, IOS, Blackberry and Windows Mobile. The OpenLM EasyAdmin Mobile application is particularly useful for after-hours crisis management situations.
• EasyAdmin’s streamlined user interface design promotes simple and effective use of its unique capabilities.

OpenLM Broker

The OpenLM Broker is an optional server component that runs on the license server machine. The Broker performs tasks as dictated by OpenLM Server, and is required in order to provide advanced licensing information and sophisticated abilities.

The Broker’s main task is to extract License Manager Servers’ debug log information and to push it to the OpenLM server. This action facilitates reading of license servers’ log files. Other capabilities provided by the broker are:

• Controlling license servers remotely (e.g. start / stop the servers)
• Managing FLEXLM option files.
• Generating denial reports and
• Support of complex configurations, e.g. license servers that work over WAN networks.

The Broker is an independent java based software module that can run on any license server operating system: UNIX, Linux or Windows.

OpenLM Alert

The OpenLM Alert is a dedicated alerting service for the OpenLM system. This module alerts system administrators when predefined conditions are met. Alert service users can set complex alert conditions on multiple license servers. For example, if the combined usage of a certain feature on servers A and B is above a certain threshold, an email message will be sent, alerting those concerned to the situation. The Alert service also supports adjustable timing for alert checking and message sending. Alert destinations are also configurable; Alerts could be sent to the EasyAdmin interface, over emails, as SMS text messages, or directed to a system event log.

OpenLM Utilizer Agent

The OpenLM Utilitzer Agent is the end user tool of the OpenLM system. It provides OpenLM users with the following capabilities:

• Query license availability.
• Check which users are holding required licenses.
• View a user’s full set of details as they appear on the LDAP, and communicate with users regarding license availability.
• Receive license availability notifications as soon as requested licenses become available.
• Report the session’s active project (mainly for billing purposes).

OpenLM Active Agent

The Active Agent incorporates all the characteristics of the Utilizer Agent. On top of that, it supports an extension that enables system administrators to shut down open application either manually, or by defining a timeout policy. In this manner, system administrators can save, close, or suspend idle applications, in order to make more efficient use of licenses. The Active Agent features a user-friendly interface that enables users to quickly reopen closed applications, or resume suspended ones.

OpenLM External Data Base (DB) Support

OpenLM Groups & Projects

This extension enables collecting license usage information from Groups of users or projects. This capability is predominantly used by companies that charge back usage time to cost centers. The Groups & Projects extension synchronizes users’ data with its LDAP Data Base (Active Directory), keeping the data collection process fully automatic.

OpenLM Role Based Security

The OpenLM Server supports a role-based security feature that enables the implementation of customized access to OpenLM tools by setting access roles. This feature facilitates the implementation of OpenLM tools for diverse groups; e.g.: help desk, system administrators, managers and developers. The role based security system secures nearly all parts of the system entities, such as listed servers, fields and action buttons.

OpenLM Option File Management

The OpenLM Option File Management extension employs LDAP (Active Directory), to enable system administrators to manage Option Files easily from the EasyAdmin web based interface. This gives the system administrators easy control over the access of user groups and individuals to licenses.

OpenLM Logs Uploader

The OpenLM Logs Uploader extension enables loading of historical FLEXlm debug log files. This extension is essential for investigating historical license usage. Logs Uploader is also necessary for checking license usage in files received from customer sites, typically in order to charge per use.