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FlexLM

FlexLM (also known as FlexNet Publisher) is a widely used license management system that supports many licensed applications across different industries.
This guide explains how to configure OpenLM to interface with FlexLM, monitor license usage, and collect license statistics.

There are two main ways to query the FlexLM license server:

  1. Quick method: Query the license server remotely from OpenLM SLM.
    This provides license usage reporting in the EasyAdmin interface.

  2. Enhanced method: Query the license server locally using OpenLM Broker, then forward the data to OpenLM SLM.
    This option adds:

    • Borrowed license tracking
    • License denial monitoring
    • Options file management
    • Greater robustness against network or security issues

Finding the FlexLM license manager port number​

The FlexLM license manager interfaces licensed applications via predefined ports. You can verify that a port number is set correctly in two ways:

  1. Use Flexera's LMTOOLS utility: select the Server Status tab and click Perform Status Enquiry. The port number appears on the line that begins with "License server status:", e.g.:

    License server status: 27000@My_server

  2. Find the server name and port number (if defined as static) directly in the license file, in the SERVER line, e.g.:

    SERVER <ServerName> <hostId> <PortNumber>

    USE SERVER

    The path and name of the license file are set in LMTOOLS, under the Config Services tab.

Interfacing FlexLM with OpenLM SLM only​

The first option is to configure OpenLM SLM to query FlexLM directly.

OpenLM Server interfacing with FlexLM directly
OpenLM SLM querying FlexLM remotely

Before you begin, make sure OpenLM SLM is installed and configured.

Steps​

  1. In EasyAdmin → Start → Administration → License Manager Servers, select Add LM.
    Adding a license manager
    Adding a new license manager in EasyAdmin

  2. Enter a description to recognize the license manager.

  3. Select FlexLM as the type.

  4. Enter the Hostname and Port (for example, win2016dev2, 27000).

  5. Set the correct Time Zone.

  6. Activate Triad Configuration if using a FlexLM redundancy setup.

    • Checked: Monitor all triad servers.
    • Unchecked: Monitor a single server (default).

  7. Set Use Broker toggle to off.

  8. Test the connection.

    • Success:
      Successful connection
      Successful connection test

    • Failure:
      Failed connection
      Failed connection test

  9. Select Save.

OpenLM SLM is now ready to query FlexLM and show license usage in EasyAdmin.

LM tools tab​

  1. Go to LM Tools tab.
  2. Select FlexLM from the drop-down list.
  3. Copy lmutil.exe to C:\Program Files\OpenLM\OpenLM Server\LM.
  4. Enter the full path (for example, C:\Program Files\OpenLM\OpenLM Server\LM\lmutil.exe).
  5. Select Save.

LM Tools configuration
LM Tools configuration for FlexLM

Monitoring with OpenLM SLM and Broker​

OpenLM Broker provides extended monitoring and administration features.

OpenLM Broker with FlexLM
Broker interfacing with FlexLM logs and license files

Benefits of using Broker​

  • License usage statistics with 1-second resolution
  • Buffered, robust communication with the server
  • Borrowed license tracking
  • Denial reporting
  • License pools, node-locked, and named users monitoring
  • Packaging details
  • Automatic maintenance of options files
  • Remote import/export of license and log files

Broker installation​

Download and install the latest OpenLM Broker.

Broker configuration​

Automatic detection​

  1. Open Broker.
  2. Select Detect.

If the FlexLM service is running, Broker will configure the port and utility path automatically.

Broker auto-detect
Automatic Broker detection

note

Auto-detection may not configure everything correctly. If needed, continue with manual configuration.

Manual configuration​

  1. Select Add License Manager.

  2. Enter the Port number.

  3. Select FlexLM as license manager type.

  4. Select Add.

  5. In Settings, add the license file path.
    License file path settings

  6. In Commands, verify the correct path and select Execute.
    Command settings

    tip

    On some installations, lmutil is in a different folder. If so, update the data_inquiry node manually.

  7. (Windows only) If FlexLM runs as a service, activate Use OS start/stop commands and enter FlexLM License Manager.

  8. In Vendors, select Add Vendor (for example, adskflex).

  9. Expand Options File Details to configure file path and backup.
    Options file details

  10. In Log Files, select Add Log File.

  11. Select FlexLM Debug Log File and set the path.
    Log file configuration

  12. Save the configuration.

OpenLM SLM configuration​

Once Broker is configured, it sends data to OpenLM SLM.

Automatic configuration​

  1. Open EasyAdmin.
  2. Go to License Servers.
  3. Double-click the new FlexLM server entry.
    Approve FlexLM in EasyAdmin
  4. Select Approve.

Approved FlexLM configuration
FlexLM configuration approved in EasyAdmin

The FlexLM server is now monitored through Broker and usage data is available in EasyAdmin.

When using FlexNet Publisher​

  • FlexNet Publisher does not use lmutil.exe and lmgrd.exe.
    Use the default lmutil provided with Broker:
    C:\Program Files\OpenLM\OpenLM Broker\tools64\lmutil.exe.
  • Set the main license manager port (default: 27000) instead of the vendor port.

Multiple-pool license files​

OpenLM can distinguish between:

  • Floating licenses
  • Named licenses
  • Node-locked licenses

For details, see Multiple FlexLM license pool monitoring.

Importing and uploading license files​

With EasyAdmin you can:

  • Import options files, log files, and license files from remote servers
  • Edit and upload them back
  • Restart or re-read the license server

For details, see Uploading and downloading files from license server.

Options file management​

OpenLM provides options file management features:

  • Edit and apply license allocations and restrictions through EasyAdmin
  • Sync with Active Directory to keep options files updated
  • Import users and groups through options files

See:

Monitoring license borrowing​

License borrowing ties a license to a workstation for offline use.
OpenLM shows borrowed license data in EasyAdmin → License Servers.

Verifying FlexLM configuration​

  1. Open EasyAdmin.
  2. Go to Start → Widgets → License Servers.
    • A green circle means the server is connected.
  3. Check Start → Reports → Denials for license denials.
note

Denials are logged only after Broker is configured with a debug log. They are not available retroactively.

Last updated on by Maria Gilca