Set Up a License Server on a Mac

As the account manager, how can I set up a License server on a Mac for sharing a Floating SnapGene license?

These instructions are for shared (floating) licenses only, NOT for standard subscription or permanent licenses.

Make sure the Mac is set to not sleep via System Preferences → Energy Saver → "Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when display is off". The license server background process will stop if the Mac sleeps and will not restart automatically on waking.

Go to the Login Page

For this procedure, you must be the account manager for the SnapGene licenses in order to download the install files for the FlexNet Server.

Login to https://www.snapgene.com/my-account/ to manage your shared license.

A new licensing portal can be accessed via www.snapgene.com → My Account.  Note that shared licenses cannot be managed via the new portal. Please ensure you use the old portal https://www.snapgene.com/my-account/  to manage your shared license.

Login

Enter the email address and password for the account manager.

The original password was sent in an email immediately after purchase. If you have lost the password, click Lost Password to obtain a new password by email.

Download the Flexnet Install Files

The SnapGene team will provide a server installation file. Download the disk image file FLEXnet_GSL_mac.dmg from your account page at http://www.snapgene.com/support/myAccount and save it.

To share SnapGene licenses across several computers, first install the FLEXnet License Server on a network computer that will always be available.

Mount the Server Folder

To mount the server folder, double-click on FLEXnet_GSL_mac.dmg.

Install the Server Folder

To install the server folder, drag the FLEXnet_GSL_mac  folder to your home folder on your hard drive, then double-click to open the folder.

For macOS Mojave, macOS Catalina or Later

More recent versions of macOS prevent the License server lmadmin executable from running correctly. Perform the steps in this section if you are running  macOS  10.14 (Mojave) or later.

Open the FLEXnet_GSL_mac folder, then double click on the "lmadmin" icon to run it. You will receive an error message. Click OK.

Click menu Apple → System Preferences → Security and Privacy. A warning will be present about "lmadmin", click Open Anyway.

A further warning will appear, click Open to run "lmadmin", a Terminal window will open. Close the Terminal window to stop the "lmadmin" process.

Start the Server

Double-click the startServer file in the FLEXnet_GSL_mac folder to start the license server.

Access the Server

To access the server, open a browser window, then type localhost:8090.

Sign In to the Server

Click the Administration link at the top right of the window.

To sign in, type the default User Name: admin and Password: admin, then click Submit.

Change the Password

To change the password, type the old and new passwords, then click Save.

Import the SnapGene Vendor Daemon License

To import the SnapGene Vendor Daemon license, click the Vendor Daemon Configuration button.

Then click the Import License button.

Click Choose File, browse to the .lic file sent to you by the SnapGene team, then click Import License.

Note: If you received a new license file (e.g., for additional licenses), instead check the box for Overwrite License File on License Server, then click Import License.

Configuration of the license server is complete. Click OK.

Eject the Disk Image

The virtual drive is no longer needed. To eject the disk image, right click on the FLEXnet_GSL_mac drive.

Review Shared License Usage

To review the current SnapGene license usage, click the Dashboard link, then click Concurrent. The number of licenses in use (and available) will be shown in the In Use column.  

Open Required Ports

The SnapGene license server uses two TCP ports for communications with SnapGene clients and with the SnapGene license server. If the computer running the license server restricts access to ports the you will need to open specific ports on the server computer Firewall.

License Server Configuration Ports

By default the Flexnet Server will use TCP ports in the range of 27000 - 27009 for client-server communications. We recommend you open all ports in this range on your server firewall.

If you require use of a specific port (for example, if other software already uses a port in the range  27000 - 27009), then this can be configured via the Flexnet Publisher Dashboard. To do this, on the Dashboard click Admin then select Server Configuration.

Scroll down to section License Server Configuration, subsection License Server Manager Port, select the option Use this Port and specify the port number you wish to use.

Vendor Daemon Port

The vendor daemon port is used for communication with SnapGene services. By default a random port number is selected when the server is started. Sites with Firewalls will need to specify a single static port.

The vendor daemon port then this can be configured via the Flexnet Publisher Dashboard. To do this, on the Dashboard click Admin then select Vendor Daemon Configuration and click  Administer.

At option Vendor Daemon Port: check the option to Use this port and specify the port number you wish to use.

You should then open the corresponding port on your Firewall.

Restart the Server When Necessary

For the licenses to be accessible, the administrator computer running this server must remain on. If the administrator computer is turned off and then back on, the server must be restarted. For this purpose, open the FLEXnet_GSL_mac folder and double-click the startServer file.