Volume License Manager 2.1 for LabVIEW8.5 and LabVIEW7.1

[Steve SO]

Hi All

In the previous, it had the 5 x LabVIEW7.1 floating license in my company and the Volume license manager version is 1.0. Now, my company just upgrade 5 floating licenses to be LabVIEW8.5 and I will be renewal it and install the Volume License Manager 2.1. 

Although i will upgarde to 8.5 version, i want to keep the LabVIEW7.1 support as some colleagues like to use LabVIEW7.1 to write their program and we develop many programs by LabVIEW7.1 before. Therefore, if i upgrade to  8.5, support of LV7.1 needs to be continued. It means 5 floating license can be count either 8.5 and 7.1.

Is it work with this situation?

Thanks

Best Regards,

Steve So

[nickb]

Hello Steve,

The five floating licenses that you have for LabVIEW 8.5 can be counted as any LabVIEW 8.5 and below.  This means that if one of you colleagues opens up LabVIEW 7.1, one of your five licenses will be checked out of the pool, just as if they had opened up LabVIEW 8.5. I think that this is the behavior you are looking for.

NickB
National Instruments
Applications Engineering

[Steve SO]

Hi NickB

Thanks for your reply. I have other questions about VLM 2.1:

(1). Is it can operate in Window 2000 Server system?? (My company server is 2000 and i know VLM can support in Window2003 Server from another posts)

(2). Now, it had created the LabVIEW8.5 network installer in my company server. However, from client sides, we can only run in the LV8.5 evaluation version and it cannot activate through Internet connection. (i.e, we had upgraded the 5 floating license for LV 8.5)

(3). Also, i know that it maybe create the license file for LabVIEW 8.5. But this license file can still support our old LabVIEW 7.1??

Thanks

Best Regards,

Steve So

[nickb]

Hello Steve,

Volume license manager is not officially supported on Windows Server 2000. 

When you create a network installer it is important that you send a permission request back to the server, and that the server then appropriately handles the permission request.  One way to check this would be to open VLM on the server, click on the piece of software in question from the tree view, and then check who the permitted users are.  Is the computer that tried to launch LabVIEW on that list?  If not, you can manually add permission by adding a user or computer, then right clicking, going to properties, selecting the Permission's tab, and then assigning out permissions. 

While using VLM, you do not actually need to create any license files.  You will be emailed one license file that will be hosted on your server.  If this license file is for LabVIEW 8.5, you will be able to use LabVIEW 7.1 with it, but it will check out one of your LabVIEW 8.5 licenses.

Please let me know if you have any more questions!

NickB
National Instruments
Applications Engineering

[Steve SO]

Hi NickB

Thanks for your reply!!

(1).You means that Window Server 2000 is not official support for VLM 2.1. But i want to know that have your clients install VLM2.1 in Window 2000 server and it is working properly??

(2).Also, for the LV8.5 license file, I do not receive any LV8.5 license file until now. Is means that I contact the Local NI Company to send it to me and install it? The local NI company just gives the Serial Number for 5 LV8.5 floating license.

(3).Now, i have activated 3 PCs to install LV8.5 by the given serial number through internet connection. However, our VLM 2.1 did not count it. I think it installs locally, not through the VLM 2.1. Is it add the given serial number when create the network installer progress.(i.e The present network installer just according the old serial number for LV7.1).Also, I afraid that your team will ban this serial number as my misunderstanding (Install locally) 

Simply, i maybe reinstall the whole progress for VLM 2.1 and LV8.5.
Here is my planning, If it is wrong, please let me know.
(1). Upgrade from Window 2000 server to Window 2003 server. (i.e If Window 2000 server is working properly, i will not change it)
(2). Install the LV8.5 License file into VLM 2.1
(3). Input the new LV8.5 serial number when create the LV8.5 network installer.
(4). Client PC install the LV8.5 and send a premission request back to server.
(5). Client PC activate it by input the given LV8.5 serial number (Need this progress??)
(6). Check it out the VLM 2.1 has count it or not automatically.

Thanks again as your help is very useful.

Best Regards,
Steve So

[nickb]

You are correct when you assume that when you supply the serial number and get an activation code via the internet you are only activating the software locally, and not incorporating the Volume License Manager.  The serial number that is created by this process is not valid for a Volume License Agreement.  In order to obtain a license file that will work with your Volume License Agreement, you will need to either email agreements@ni.com and supply your server computer's name and computer ID, as per How Can I Obtain an Agreement License File for NI Volume License Manager?  Once you do receive a license file for your VLA, your serial numbers will be blocked for single seat activation, but this is expected behavior to enforce the VLA. 

Your plan sounds good, however, once you have received your license file from agreements@ni.com, you will not ever need to locally activate you software.  Please let me know if you have anymore questions!

NickB
National Instruments
Applications Engineering

[Steve SO]

Hi NickB

Thanks for your reply.

Howvever, it stills not work even i installed the new license file (given by local NI company). The observation is still shown the "30-days evaluation version" and need activate in local.

Also, i want to show more details for you but I think it is not convenient in the forum. Would you mind give your email address to let us discuss it or in private message.

Thanks

Best Regards,

Steve So

Message Edited by Steve SO on 02-12-2008 04:27 PM

[JettR]

Hey Steve,

If you are still having trouble, you can create a Service Request on-line at www.ni.com/ask.  Select either Phone NI or Email NI for the Communication Method and select Volume License Manager under Software Platform.  You can also call in at 1-866-ASK-MYNI to get in contact with one of our Application Engineers.  I hope this helps!