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Workstation Agent

The Workstation Agent is an OpenLM component installed on end-user machines. It detects which licensed applications a user runs and for how long, and reports that activity to the OpenLM Platform. It is the data source behind the Agents apps and behind endpoint features such as idle-license detection and license harvesting.

The Workstation Agent is an installed component, not an app in the launcher. You manage the agents it produces through two launcher apps:

  • Agents Hub — configure agent behavior and the sites/applications agents watch.
  • Agent Activity Manager — monitor connected agents and roll out upgrades, restarts, and removals.
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This page is the administrator's install-and-manage reference. For the end user's plain-language explanation of what the agent does on their computer, see Understanding the Workstation Agent.

Agent types​

Once installed and reporting, agents appear automatically in Agent Activity Manager. OpenLM tracks three agent types, distinguished by where they run:

  • Workstation Agent — installed on a user's desktop or workstation.
  • Browser Agent — runs in the user's web browser.
  • AutoCAD Extension Agent — runs inside Autodesk AutoCAD.

Install and authorize​

The install flow is the same whether you deploy to one machine or to a fleet. For platform-specific installers (Windows, Linux RPM, DEB, tar.gz), interactive walkthroughs, and troubleshooting, see Install and configure OpenLM Components.

Before you begin​

  • Confirm the target machines meet the system requirements.
  • Generate an authorization file for the Workstation Agent in Identity. You can use one file per machine or a shared file.
  • Confirm the machines have outbound internet access on port 443.

Steps​

  1. Download the Workstation Agent installer from the Downloads page.
  2. Run the installer and accept the license agreement.
  3. Select any extensions relevant to your installed applications (leave unchecked if none apply).
  4. Choose an installation path, or keep the default (recommended).
  5. Choose the deployment type — Cloud or On-premises.
  6. Choose whether to allow end users to open their Personal Dashboard.
  7. On-premises only: choose whether to activate Dongle Monitoring, then enter your system's fully qualified domain name followed by /agents-hub as the host, with connectivity on port 443.
  8. Import the Agent Authorization File issued from Identity, then finish the installation.

After installation, the agent connects to the OpenLM Platform automatically.

Deploy at scale​

IT teams can deploy the Workstation Agent silently across many machines with a shared authorization file, using tools such as:

  • Microsoft Intune
  • Group Policy (GPO)
  • System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
  • PDQ Deploy
  • A custom silent script

Verify​

After installation, open Agents Hub or Agent Activity Manager and confirm the agent appears in the list with an online status. If it does not appear, re-check the authorization file and the machine's outbound access on port 443.

Manage installed agents​

Day-to-day agent operations happen in Agent Activity Manager:

  • Upgrade agents by uploading a newer installer, to selected agents or the whole fleet (with optional auto-upgrade).
  • Restart all Workstation Agents.
  • Remove obsolete agent records.

Configure what the agent does​

  • Harvesting and idle-license policies — define how the agent releases idle licenses (Save & Close, Suspend & Resume, or Kill) in Process Manager.
  • Watched sites and applications — configure in Agents Hub.

What the agent does not do​

The Workstation Agent does not monitor personal files, emails, or activity, and it does not capture screenshots. It tracks only the licensed software defined by your administrator.

Last updated on by Maria Gilca