This page provides information on how to set up a machine in your network to share licenses with others.
Sharing a Premium/Floating License
Premium and Floating License can be shared between multiple users and devices. When doing a shared setup for a Premium/Floating license, you need to install the license locally on at least one machine in the network. This machine can use the license, but it also serves as a connection point for others to connect to the license. Installing the license happens automatically when you perform a default Chaos product installation. If you only need to install the License Server application separately, see the Installation page.
Keep in mind that a single license can be used by a single user at a time. You need to add more licenses if you wish multiple users to work simultaneously. You can share the licenses in one of two ways:
- Once you install the license locally, you can share your machine's IP address with others in your network. When they install their Chaos products, they can set up the products to connect to your license using your IP address. For more information on connecting to a shared Chaos license, see the Premium and Floating Licenses page.
As a safety measure, you can instance the license among a number of machines in your network in case of unstable power or connection on your machine. - Licenses can also be shared and managed through the my.chaos portal. As an administrator, you can assign individual licenses to members of your network, which they need to install locally on their machines. This method allows the administrator to manage the licenses centrally - individuals in the network cannot edit the license allocation. For more information, see the Self-Service Portal Guide for Administrators.
When sharing floating licenses from a central License Server, make sure that all your licenses are associated with the same account. You will use this account to activate the License Server, so you can have all your licenses available in the same place.
Premium and Floating Licenses can be used locally, similar to the Solo and Fixed Licenses.
- If you are the license holder, you can install the license locally on your machine. In this case, follow the Solo and Fixed Licenses workflow.
- If you are not the license holder, ask the license holder to assign you a license via the my.chaos portal. You can see how on the My Chaos Portal Guide.
Setting up shared Chaos Premium Licenses
Install the Chaos License Server on a machine within your local network. The Premium and Floating licenses are activated by authenticating the License Server with a Chaos account that has those licenses assigned to it. Once the licenses are active, you can share them with others in your network to use. You can do so either by them connecting to your license, or you assigning licenses to them through the my.chaos portal.
If you are setting up an Enscape Floating license, see the How to set up Floating Licenses in Enscape 4.1 and onwards article for a more detailed guide.
Redundancy Options
As Premium and Floating Licenses are managed from a central location, any issues with the central machine running the License Server could prevent users within your network from accessing your licenses. Here are some optional steps you can take to ensure licenses are always available, which can be useful for larger teams or organizations.