In the PROMOTIC system since version Pm8.2.0, there is a new licencing method available - netkey - Network licence key. With this solution the PROMOTIC application does not need the licence HW Key to be present, but the application can use licence that is located on the licence server that is accessible via network connection.
How does the PROMOTIC licence work? There is a designated computer in the company where PmLicServer licence server program is installed. Licence files (.SWK) are then copied to this PC, representing licences for corresponding applications. The licence server, that is operating as Web server, configures itself as operating system service during its installation - it runs on the backgroud without the need of any specific user being logged in.
Once you have the licence server you also need the licence for the specific application. This licence is bound to the specific licence server and therefore cannot be used with another licence server or individually. Single licence server may contain multiple licences for different applications.
The application checks the licence availability on launch and periodically during its operation. The application can be launched on any computer that is connected (by network) to the licence server and therefore is not bound with specific PC.
If you want to order new licence(s) it is necessary to define the need of network licence in your purchase order. If this is your first network licence, then you will get:
If this is not the first network licence (the PROMOTIC licence server already exists) then it is necessary to define the licence server number (where the licence will be used) on your purchase order. The price of network licence is identical with licences delivered on HW Keys/SW Keys based on the current pricelist. The PROMOTIC network licence in the form of SWK file must be copied to the computer with running licence server to the \Licences folder.
The PmLicServer licence server is included in the PROMOTIC installation. During PROMOTIC installation just enable its installation and follow the instructions of the installation program. PmLicServer licence server must be operated with special HW Key for licence server.
After the licence server is configured and operating it is necessary to copy there the licence files in the form of SWK files that are bound with the installed licence server. The licence files must be placed into the \Licences folder. There must be a corresponding .SWK file for each running application.
where netkey means that there is a network licence to be used, http (or https) means standard (or secured) communication protocol. Behind the IP address of the licence server (or its name) there is the port number (5656 by default, can be modified in the configuration file of the licence server) and Pm5555.swk means the name of licence file (located on the licence server) to be used.
The PROMOTIC network licence can be extended the same way as other PROMOTIC licence. The customer always gets the new version of licence file that replaces the original (old) licence file SWK on the licence server.
All licence files are being archived by the manufacturer, but we strongly recommend to backup your .SWK licence files for your licence server locally.