When you use software-based licensing, a license manager provides a server for centralized management of license keys for one or more instances of z Systems Development and Test Environment. With this method, a USB hardware device is not required.
The z Systems Development and Test Environment license manager is installed on a PC, and the authenticated license key files are installed on the license manager. The licensee is not authorized to use z Systems Development and Test Environment or any of its components except when that license manager is activated with a license key file and is accessible by the program, as it provides proof of license entitlement.
The license manager and an instance that runs z Systems Development and Test Environment cannot run on the same platform, but it does need network connectivity to the license manager.