Upgrade your VLM to 3.1.2

[JohnWM]

BACKGROUND

Your copy of NI Volume License Manager (NI VLM) uses the Flexera Publisher technology as the basis to license software.  This technology currently uses Flexera Publisher 11.11.  Unfortunately, there has been a security vulnerability identified as part of the Flexera Publisher 11.11 technology.  You can find out more about this vulnerability here:  https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2015-8277. 

Additionally, during NI Week 2019 we will release Package Manager.  Package Manager makes it easy to install and deploy NI software and is included free of charge.  As an administrator, if you use the Volume License Installer (VLI) to distribute software to your customer, you will need to upgrade to VLM 3.1.2 for the VLI to work properly.

UPGRADE YOUR VLM

NI is concerned for your company’s data security.  As such we are asking you to upgrade your VLM to the latest version-VLM 3.1.2. 

Using VLM 3.0 and later

1. NI always recommends you back-up your existing VLM regularly and before performing this upgrade.
   • To back-up your VLM, open VLM, choose FILE > Backup VLM. Follow the onscreen prompts.
2. Download the latest version of VLM 3.1.2 here: VLM 3.1.2 Link
3. The software will start with the Getting Started Wizard. Follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Complete the remaining steps in the Getting Started Wizard.
5. You can use your existing license file. You do not need a new license file.

Using VLM 2.0 or earlier

1. NI always recommends you back-up your existing VLM regularly and before performing this upgrade.
   • Create a backup copy of the Activity Log from the old server. To do this select Options»Save Activity Log... and specify a location in which to save the log file.
   • Create a backup copy of the configuration file, which contains both permissions and client information.  This file is named nivlm.cfg, and is typically located in C:\ProgramFiles\National Instruments\Volume License Manager\.
2. Download the latest version of VLM 3.1.2 here: VLM 3.1.2 Link
3. The software will start with the Getting Started Wizard. Follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Complete the remaining steps in the Getting Started Wizard.
5. You can use your existing license file. You do not need a new license file.

Please note that you DO NOT need a new license file to upgrade your VLM.  You can use your existing license file.

SUPPORT

If you have any questions or need support please contact your local representative or agreements@ni.com.

[JohnTest]

Several of you have asked about the affect on end users during this process.  Here is NI's recommendation:

NI does not recommend doing this during regular uptime for your end users.  You should schedule your upgrade when you typically backup your VLM or another downtime when as few end users are connected as possible.  If your end users are connected to the VLM while you make the upgrade, they may experience a “Backup License XX days remaining” message but their software will keep working.  Once the new server is working and the end users are connected they will not receive the message.