Licence Authorisation

Step 1: Licence Server Configuration

When the licence server is started it is configured in any of three stages.

  • First, any options selected by command-line parameters are set.
  • Next any options for which the specific environment variables are set.
  • Finally any options that are provided in the LSERVOPTS environment variable are set.

These options work in a mutually exclusive way. If one option is passed through the command-line, other options are automatically ignored.

If command-line options are not specified and a setting is made through a specific environment variable, it takes precedence over LSERVOPTS specified value.

Many of the licence server options can be set using all three of the above methods.

Note: When a setting is made using more than one method, the command-line switches have the highest priority or else the latter specifications override the previous ones. This flexibility helps in some situations, but in general it is not needed.

Step 2: Load Licence Codes

After configuration the licence server reads the licence file. The name and location of this file can be set using the licence server options.

The licence server reads the file from start to finish, processing each licence code in order.

  • All additive licence codes add to the licensing rights already processed.
  • All exclusive codes override all previously read codes and any future additive codes.

If the licence server cannot find the licence file, it will still continue to run.

When a licence server is running it can also accept licence codes across the network from other programs such as WlmAdmin.exe. A server will process each received code as if it has just been read from the licence file. The licence server will also add the licence code to the end of the licence file if this was requested.

Step 3: Client Identifies Licence Server

Because Cadcorp SIS Desktop supports network licensing it looks for a licence server:

  • On the same system
  • On a specific system in the network
  • Via network broadcast for a licence server

If a network licence server is being used set the contact server information with the Cadcorp SIS Desktop system property “_SentinelRMSContactServer$” or by using the environment variable cadcorp_licence_server_list.

Step 4: Client Issues Licence Request

Once Cadcorp SIS Desktop has identified the licence server, it issues a request for a licence to the licence server. If a server host name was used then this is translated to the network address of the licence server computer. Cadcorp SIS Desktop sends a licence request to this address and the licence server’s port.

Step 5: Licence Server Responds

When a licence server receives a licence request, it checks to see if a licence can be granted based upon the current licence codes. If it can, an authorisation is sent back to the client computer.

Otherwise the request is rejected and a denial is sent back to the client computer.

Step 6: Client Renews Licence

Each licence code specifies the maximum time period that a licence may be held by an application without renewal. After a client has received a licence, it must periodically request a licence renewal from the licence server.

If Cadcorp SIS Desktop does not renew its licence within the allowed time, it loses its licence and the server may grant it to another user.

Note: This action is handled by Cadcorp SIS Desktop and is transparent to the user on the client computer.

Step 7: Licence Server Responds

The licence server responds to a licence renewal request in the same manner as the initial licence request as discussed in Step 5.

Step 8: Client Returns Licence

When Cadcorp SIS Desktop ends, it sends a message back to the licence server indicating that the licence is no longer needed. This allows the licence server to immediately reclaim the licence and make it available to another user.

TIP: Usually the licence will be released automatically after some time if Cadcorp SIS Desktop does not send an update to the licence server for a long period or faces a network issue. This will help in making the licences available for further requests.

Step 9: Licence Server Releases Licence

When the licence server receives the licence authorisation back, it makes it available again to another user.