Set Up a License Server on Windows
As the account manager, how can I set up a License server on a Windows Computer for sharing a Floating SnapGene license?
These instructions are for floating licenses only, NOT for standard licenses.
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 file FLEXnet_GSL_win.exe from your account page at https://www.snapgene.com/login/ 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.
Install the Server
To install the server, double-click on FLEXnet_GSL_win.exe.
Specify a directory to install the server, then click Next.
Note: The location you select to install to must have sufficient permissions to allow the server to write to the directory. If you plan to install in a location other than the default location then install into a new folder that has full read/modify/write and execute permissions set for all users.
Click Install in the next window.
Start the Server
In the start menu, click Programs → FLEXnet GSL → Start Server.
Some Windows Server installations may be missing essential libraries required for the License Server to run. If you receive an error message similar to:
"MSVCP140.dll was not found and the server will not start"
Then do the following:
In the Flexnet GSL folder locate the program named vcredist_x64.exe. Run this program to install the missing libraries. You should then be able to start the Server. If the Server does not start, restart the computer and reinstall the License Server to make sure the new libraries are found.
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.
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, in the Start menu, click Programs → FLEXnet GSL → Start Server.
Configure the License Server as a Service
You can avoid the need to restart the server by configuring it as a service. To allow the license server to run as a service, you must have Administrator privileges. This service will run under the LocalSystem account. This account is required to run this utility as a service.
Configure the License Server as a Service at the Command Line
To configure the license server as a service, run the following commands in a terminal. Make sure to replace the path highlighted in red with the path to your server files:
sc create SnapGene ^
Displayname="Snapgene GSL" ^
binPath="C:\Licenses\FLEXnet GSL\SnapGene\lmadmin.exe -adminOnly no -allowRemoteStopServer yes -allowLicenseReclaim yes" ^
start=auto
sc description SnapGene "SnapGene License Manager"
sc start SnapGene