Using a CodeMeter Server

If you would like to use network licenses (e.g. instead of single licenses), you will need a CodeMeter hardware key or software key. Contact your local GRAPHISOFT partner to order one or to exchange your existing single key(s).

Single or Network Keys

A so-called single key can hold one license for each GRAPHISOFT product (ARCHICAD, MEP, EcoDesigner STAR, BIMx) and can be used locally. You connect the hardware key to your computer’s USB port or download the software key with License Manager Tool (LMT); if you have the CodeMeter driver installed (it is installed with ARCHICAD), your GRAPHISOFT product will find a license and will run in commercial mode. Each workstation in an office needs to have an individual key.

A network key can hold multiple licenses related to each product (ARCHICAD, MEP, EcoDesigner STAR, BIMx). To share them across multiple computers you need a CodeMeter server. This arrangement provides more flexibility than having individual keys, as the licenses are allocated only when they are being used on one of the clients.

System Requirements for a CodeMeter Server

The CodeMeter server is part of the CodeMeter driver, so you only need to select a computer on your network that will act as a CodeMeter server. To set up a CodeMeter server as a network license server, you will need the following:

A computer with network connection (should be running during work hours).

The computer must have at least one free USB port, for hardware key only.

CodeMeter driver must be installed. Click on Tools and Utilities from the start-up screen, or browse your DVD directory for the CODEMETER folder.

Note: There is no need for a server-level operating system for the CodeMeter server. You can use one of the workstations as a CodeMeter server, and you must keep it running during work hours. Any computer that has recent Windows or OS X versions can be used (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and OS X 10.8, 10.9, 10.10).

Set Up the Server

After you have your server running and the CodeMeter driver is installed, start the server as described below. All CodeMeter settings can be managed in CodeMeter WebAdmin. To start it:

Open CodeMeter Center (from Applications or using the Start menu) and click on WebAdmin;

or simply open localhost:22350 on your browser.

To enable the CodeMeter server:

1.Go to Configuration/Server tab.

2.Check Run Network Server checkbox.

3.Do not forget to Apply the changes.

4.Restart CodeMeter service (on Mac: System Preferences/CodeMeter, on Win: CodeMeter Control Center)

From that point, the server runs and shares licenses on the local network.

Check Run CmWAN Server checkbox to use the computer in a wide area network (WAN) and allow license accesses.

Do not forget to Apply the changes and restart CodeMeter service.

Client Side Settings

All clients on the local network should find the server automatically. In case this does not work (e.g. your server is in a different subnet, or you are connecting remotely through the Internet), then you may need to specify the server’s hostname IP address. On the client:

1.Open WebAdmin.

2.Configuration/Network.

3.Add the server to the Server Search List.

This field can have multiple entries; the client searches for available licenses in the specified order and only on the specified servers. Only when the list is empty does the client search for other available servers.

Access Control

With the default settings, all computers on the same local network (same subnet) can use a license from the server.

To restrict access:

1.Open WebAdmin.

2.Go to Configuration/Access Control.

If the Clients’ list is empty, anyone on the local network can use a license. If at least one entry is listed here, only the listed entries can request a license.

Note: If the server is public on the Internet, or no one is allowed to use a license, make sure that this list is filled out correctly to avoid unwanted license usage.

You may want to check who is using a license:

1.Open WebAdmin on the server computer.

2.Go to Server/User tab.

Here you can see a list of active clients and clients who have borrowed licenses.

Set Up License Borrowing

If your network key has a license borrowing product, the clients can borrow a license.

For more information on License Borrowing, see https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/?p=25723.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure all licenses are returned/expired before you do any of the following:

Upgrade the licenses on upgrade site.

Install a new main version of ARCHICAD.

Unplug the server CodeMeter key from the computer or transfer it to a different one (even one with the same network specification).

Uninstall or reinstall the CodeMeter driver (updating it is fine).

Re-install the Operating system.

Change the IP address of the server computer.

There is no additional setting needed to enable license borrowing but you may customize the following settings.

Borrow Duration

By default the borrowed licenses are valid for 30 days. If the license is not returned within this period, the license will expire and will be automatically returned to the server. To customize this maximum time (up to 30 days):

1.Open WebAdmin.

2.Go to Configuration/Borrowing.

3.Set the preferred Maximum Borrow Duration, in minutes.

Maximum Number of Borrowable Licenses

You can also maximize the number of licenses available for borrowing. Enter the preferred number in the ‘Maximum Borrow Quantity’ field. This value cannot exceed the available license quantity of the borrowing product.

Note: Start License Manager to see the number of available licenses, including the number of LBRK (for hardware based borrowing) or LBRA (for software license borrowing) products.

Server Identification

Each client identifies the server by either host name or IP address. This can be customized on the server level, so when the server issues the license, the client gets the chosen address and will try to return the license to the given address. On networks with reliable DNS settings, Server name identification is the best choice, but on networks without it, or in mixed platform environment (Mac & Windows), choose identification based on IP addresses. In that case it is important to use static IP address for the Server.

Note: To customize all of these settings (Borrowing settings and Server Identification), check the Overwrite Entry Settings box in the License Borrowing interface of the WebAdmin.

It is strongly recommended to test the borrow environment. Set a relatively short Borrow Duration and you can test your setup without risking the loss of a license for a long period.

 

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