Getting started with IBM Common Licensing

Licenses are managed by a license manager that runs on a license server.

About this task

The license manager monitors activities such as license access, simultaneous usage, and idle time. When you start an IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management (ELM) or IBM Rational® product, you are initially unlicensed. If a license for that product is available, the license manager gives you a license. You keep the license while you are using the product. When you exit the product, your license is returned to the license manager and is made available for another user. If a license is unavailable, you cannot use the product until a license is returned by another user.

When you start a licensed application that uses a floating license, the following actions occur:
  1. The license module in the client application finds the details of the license server. This is done by using the environment settings or registry settings.
  2. The client establishes a connection with the license manager daemon, lmgrd, and specifies the vendor daemon, ibmratl.
  3. lmgrd determines the computer and port that correspond to ibmratl.
  4. The client establishes a connection with lmgrd and sends a license request.
  5. The vendor daemon sends a grant or denial back to lmgrd, which then reports it back to the client.
  6. If the license is granted, the user can start using the ELM or IBM Rational product.