License type definitions

Learn about the different license types.

Table 1. Different license types
License type	Description
Authorized user	An authorized user license (formerly called a node-locked license) is created for a specific client. The authorized user license allows a user to use an IBM® Engineering Lifecycle Management (ELM) or IBM Rational® product only on that specified client. The user can use multiple sessions of a product concurrently on the specified computer by using a single license key. Because authorized user licenses are uncounted licenses, no license server is required to manage them.
Authorized user fixed term license (FTL)	An ELM or IBM Rational Authorized User FTL (formerly called a user-based license or per-user license) allows a single, specific individual to use an ELM or IBM Rational product for a specific period. Purchasers must obtain an Authorized User FTL for each individual who accesses the product in any manner. An Authorized User FTL cannot be reassigned unless the purchaser is replacing the original assignee on a long-term or permanent basis. Currently, this license type is not available for ELM or IBM Rational products that are based on the Eclipse framework.
Date-based versioning	Licenses that are active based on the date when you bought the license, or the date when your maintenance period ends (whichever is later). You cannot use versions of ELM or IBM Rational products that are released after your maintenance contract has expired. New licenses are issued to you when your maintenance is renewed. For example, an INCREMENT line for IBM Engineering Requirements Management DOORS® looks similar to this line: INCREMENT DOORS rational 2011.1231. The license version 2011.1231 reflects the expiration date. Note: Licenses that were generated since October 2010 does not contain FEATURE lines. INCREMENT lines are used.
Floating	A license administrator installs the License Key Server on single, multiple, or redundant servers. The administrator then imports the licence into license servers. These floating licenses are created for the specific license server. Client users obtain licenses from the license server when they start the license server. One license is granted per client per product, except performance testing products. Performance testing products can check out multiple licenses. Floating licenses allow anyone on your network to use ELM or IBM Rational products while a license is available. The number of licenses that you purchase and register in IBM License Key Center determines the maximum number of users who can use ELM or IBM Rational products concurrently.
Named-User Floating	This license is similar to a floating license, except that the license administrator assigns licenses to specific users. Only specific users can request floating license keys from the license server. A named-user floating license requires a license administrator to create a list of authorized users.
Token	The token-based license model means that you can buy some token licenses. If you use a ELM or IBM Rational tool that checks out a token-based license, the license file specifies the number of tokens that are checked out. Token-based licenses can be used only with floating licenses. They cannot be used for authorized user licenses. For more information about token licensing, contact your local IBM sales representative.