• Can I evaluate or use AdminStudio without activating it or configuring the licensing?
• What is the difference between the node-locked, self-hosted, and concurrent licensing models for AdminStudio?
• How can I obtain an activation code for my product?

• What is the Product and License Center?
• How do I create a new user account for myself in the Product and License Center?
• I'm having trouble downloading installations from the Product and License Center. What can I do?
• How do I add users, modify users, or remove access for users in the Product and License Center?
• How do I figure out who in my organization generated our self-hosted license files?
• What Flexera technology does the Product and License Center use?

• What's the best way to download my self-hosted license file for AdminStudio?
• How do I determine the host ID of my machine?
• What do I do if I obtain a new machine? Can I move AdminStudio and my self-hosted license file to that machine?
• I generated the license file for AdminStudio but I entered the wrong host ID. How do I regenerate the correct license file?

• What are the system requirements for the FlexNet Licensing Server?
• How do I start the FlexNet Licensing Server service?
• How do I get reports that show usage information for my organization?
• I've purchased concurrent licensing for more than one Flexera product. Can I use the same machine to manage concurrent licenses for all of these products?
• I have a FlexNet Licensing Server machine to manage concurrent licenses of an old version of a Flexera product. That machine uses lmgrd, the command-line tool. Do I need to switch to lmadmin for my new Flexera concurrent licenses?
• What do I do if I obtain a new licensing server machine? Can I move the FlexNet Licensing Server software and my license file to that machine?

The following licensing models are available for AdminStudio:

• Node-locked licensing—With this model, the product license is tied to a specific user and machine. This model is the traditional option. A node-locked license for AdminStudio requires a product activation code to activate the product.
• Self-hosted licensing—With this model, the product license is tied to a specific user and machine. A self-hosted license for AdminStudio requires a Flexera–generated license file for the machine on which you install AdminStudio.
• Concurrent licensing—This model enables sharing or floating of AdminStudio licenses among a maximum number of simultaneous users; it is also sometimes called floating licensing. If your organization purchased concurrent licenses for a Flexera product, you need to connect your product to the licensing server that your organization sets up.

To learn more about these different licensing models and determine which option best fits your requirements, contact your Flexera sales representative or your preferred reseller.

IMPORTANT NOTE: AdminStudio concurrent licenses are available for Service Providers only.

The Flexera Product and License Center is where you perform AdminStudio-related tasks such as the following:

• Download the installations for the products that you purchased. This includes AdminStudio' add-ons (if you are entitled to them) such as the Standalone Repackager and the Standalone QualityMonitor; the FlexNet Licensing Server software (if you purchased concurrent licenses and you need to set up your organization's licensing server); and AdminStudio service packs (if available).
• Generate and download self-hosted license files (if you purchased self-hosted licenses of AdminStudio).
• Obtain the activation code for the FlexNet Licensing Server (if you purchased concurrent licenses and you need to set up your organization's licensing server).

The Product and License Center offers several methods for downloading products. Examples include:

• Browser FTP—The file is transferred using FTP via a Web browser. This is the default method.
• HTTPS—The file is transferred using encrypted HTTP via a Web browser.
• Command-Line FTP—The file is transferred using FTP via a DOS prompt or UNIX shell.
• Download Manager—This applet-based download lets you select multiple or individual files for download via the Download Manager. All files are saved to a single location on your machine.

If you are having trouble using one method to download the product, you may want to try a different method. For example, if the browser FTP method does not work because your organization's firewall blocks FTP, you may want to try the HTTPS method.

To change the available download options for all download links and buttons that are displayed for your user account in the Product and License Center:

1. In the left navigation under Administration, click Download Preferences.
2. Select the check boxes for the download methods that you want to be displayed whenever you are presented with a download link or button in the Product and License Center.

To change the available download options for a specific download in the Product and License Center:

1. In the left navigation under Entitlements, click Product List. The Product List page shows all of the product lines to which your account is entitled. If you do not have access to multiple products, clicking the Product List link opens the Product Information page directly.
2. If the Product List page shows multiple products, click the AdminStudio link. The Product Information page opens.
3. Find the item that you want to download, and then in the Description column, click the license link for that item. The Product Download page opens.
4. Find the item that you want to download, and click the Advanced Download Options link for that item. The Advanced Download Options page opens.
5. Select the appropriate option.

To look up who generated license files and see details about those license files:

1. In the left navigation under Entitlements, click View Licenses by Member. The View Licenses by Member page opens. It shows a table that lists all of the users at your organization who generated license files.
2. Click the email address of a member to see details about the license files that the member generated.

The Product and License Center uses FlexNet Operations, an electronic software delivery service that gives software producers and high-tech manufacturers the power to cost-effectively distribute their products to customers worldwide.

The host ID that the Flexera Product and License Center requires you to enter when you are acquiring a self-hosted license file for AdminStudio is the machine's MAC address, which is also called the physical address or Ethernet address.

If you are configuring licensing for AdminStudio and you select the license file option, one of the dialogs displays the host ID of the machine on which you are running the wizard.

You can also download the following tool and launch it on any Windows-based system to determine its host ID:

FlexNetHostIDExe.exe

Launching that tool displays a window that shows the host ID and lets you copy it to the Clipboard:

To manually determine the host ID of a specific machine:

1. Open a Command Prompt window.
2. At the command prompt, enter the following command:

ipconfig /all

Configuration information is displayed in the Command Prompt window.



3. In the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection section, look at the Physical Address value.

This physical address value is the host ID of your machine. Use this value (without the dashes) when you are obtaining a license file from the Product and License Center.

If you obtain a replacement machine, you can move your license from your old machine to your new machine. In order to move your license to your new machine, you must first return your license to your account in the Product and License Center. Returning the license makes it available again so that you can obtain a new license file for a different machine.

NOTE: There is a limit to the number of times that you can return a license: you can return a license only one time per entitlement per year. An entitlement is the purchase of AdminStudio.

To return a license in the Product and License Center:

1. In the left navigation under Entitlements, click Product List. The Product List page shows all of the product lines to which your account is entitled. If you do not have access to multiple products, clicking the Product List link opens the Product Information page directly.
2. If the Product List page shows multiple products, click the AdminStudio link. The Product Information page opens.
3. Find the item that you want to return, and then in the Description column, click the license link for that item. The Product Download page opens.
4. Click the License Keys link. The License Information page opens. It shows the licenses that have been generated for the selected license.
5. Find the license that you want to return, and click its Return button.

   NOTE: If you or someone in your organization has already returned a license for the entitlement that is associated with the selected license, the Return button is not displayed.

The Product and License Center processes your return request and refreshes the License Information page so that the license you returned is no longer displayed. Now you can generate a new license for the new machine. You can also install AdminStudio and the new license file on your new machine.

You can follow the same return-the-license procedure that is described in the previous question.

NOTE: There is a limit to the number of times that you can return a license: you can return a license only one time per entitlement per year.

The FlexNet Licensing Server software manages license check-out and check-in requests from users who have concurrent licenses. If you have purchased concurrent licenses of a Flexera product, you need to install the FlexNet Licensing Server software on a machine in your environment.

When you are determining which machine to use as the FlexNet Licensing Server, note the following:

• Machine selection—The FlexNet Licensing Server machine can be any machine in your network. Typically, the licensing server system components reside on a central machine in the network.
  • The FlexNet Licensing Server machine can have other applications running on it; it does not need to be dedicated to running only the FlexNet Licensing Server. However, for a high-traffic, high-license-count environment, and a more reliable system, it is better to have a dedicated machine.
  • The FlexNet Licensing Server machine should remain on at all times so that users can access it at all times.
  • Triad server clusters are not supported.
• Supported operating systems—The FlexNet Licensing Server machine must be a Windows-based machine. The following versions of Windows are supported: Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012.

  NOTE: Although the FlexNet Licensing Server has support for other operating systems, concurrent licensing for AdminStudio 2014 and later requires one of the aforementioned specific versions of Windows.

• Networking—The FlexNet Licensing Server machine must be able to communicate with the Flexera product through a TCP/IP port. A valid number is any unused port number between 0 and 64000. The default port range is 27000 through 27009. You may need to adjust your firewall settings to allow this communication.
• Required software—The license server manager that is installed as part of the FlexNet Licensing Server installation is lmadmin, the Web-based application. lmgrd, the command-line tool, is not supported.
  • Earlier versions of the FlexNet Licensing Server software must be uninstalled before the new version (the one that is available for AdminStudio 2014 and later) can be installed.
  • lmadmin can be used in the following Web browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer 8, 9, or 10.

You can start the Windows service for the FlexNet Licensing Server by using Services in the Administrative Tools area of the Control Panel. The default name of the service is:

FlexNet Licensing Server Manager

(The name of the service is configurable when you are installing the FlexNet Licensing Server.)

The FlexNet Licensing Server can save a report log file that contains feature usage information. To create a report log file and view reports, you need to purchase Flexera's software license administration solution, FlexNet Manager. FlexNet Manager provides exceptional visibility into license usage data and helps you create insightful reports on critical information like license availability and usage.

For more information on FlexNet Manager, see the Flexera Web site:

https://www.flexera.com/products/flexnet-manager

Yes, you must switch to lmadmin.

To switch from lmgrd to lmadmin, you must first uninstall the earlier version of the FlexNet Licensing Server. Then install the latest version, which has lmadmin. You can obtain the latest version of the FlexNet Licensing Server software from the Product and License Center. For instructions on how to do this, see "Setting up the Concurrent License Server" on page 11 of the Flexera Product Download and License Guide for AdminStudio (PDF).

Note that lmgrd and lmadmin should not be installed on the same machine.

Product activation is a quick and anonymous process that confirms the authenticity of your software. This is done to protect you from the adverse effects of pirated software. The process also verifies that AdminStudio has not been activated on more machines than allowed by the AdminStudio End-User License Agreement (EULA).

After you first launch AdminStudio, the activation wizard opens. After a few seconds, the activation wizard disappears if you have not clicked on it, and AdminStudio is launched as a trial product. If you want to activate AdminStudio right away, you can select the Activate or Purchase AdminStudio option, and then click the Next button. The wizard guides you through the activation process, and in seconds, AdminStudio is activated.

To activate AdminStudio and check for updates, your environment needs to have access to the following site:

https://flexerasoftware.flexnetoperations.com

Product reactivation is the process by which an activated product is checked to verify that it is still installed according to the AdminStudio EULA, and that it has not been activated on more machines than allowed.

Reactivation is required on each machine on which AdminStudio has been successfully installed and activated. Reactivation must occur a certain number of months after the last activation or reactivation occurred; otherwise, AdminStudio stops working.

Reactivation offers more flexibility than licensing models that do not require it. With the reactivation model that is used for AdminStudio, a license is not permanently tied to a specific machine; this allows users to periodically update and replace hardware and the machines on which AdminStudio is installed.

Reactivation typically occurs automatically, without any interaction on your part. Several weeks before reactivation is required, the activation wizard sends a reactivation request for your activation code to the activation server silently (that is, without displaying any user interface). The server receives the reactivation request, and it validates the request. If the reactivation request is successful, the server automatically notifies the activation wizard about the status, enabling the wizard to reactivate AdminStudio for you.

If reactivation cannot be automatically performed when needed (for example, if you do not have an Internet connection), the activation wizard is displayed when you launch AdminStudio. At that point, the activation wizard lets you reactivate AdminStudio using the same wizard that is used for activation. The wizard first attempts an online reactivation. If online reactivation is unsuccessful, the wizard enables you to use the offline method.

For an explanation, see Overview of the Life Cycle of a Node-Locked License in the AdminStudio 2021 R2 Activation User Guide.

Activation and reactivation require your AdminStudio activation code. No personal information is needed.

No. Activation has no effect on the performance of your computer or software.

After purchasing AdminStudio (and subsequently receiving your activation code), you simply enter the activation code in the designated field that is displayed in the activation wizard when you launch AdminStudio, and then click the Activate button.

Typically, activation is completed in just a few seconds through the Internet (online activation). In some cases, offline activation is required. If so, this is accomplished through a Web site that you can access from a different machine. To learn more, see Activating Through a Web Page in the AdminStudio 2021 R2 Activation User Guide.

Internet activation (online activation) typically takes seconds to complete. It is dependent on the type of Internet technology that you are using. The amount of data being transmitted is very small, so high-speed connections are not required.

You have a limited number of days to activate AdminStudio after the first launch. The activation wizard shows the number of days that are left in your trial period. The activation wizard is displayed every time that you launch AdminStudio during the trial period (before you have activated AdminStudio). In addition, the About AdminStudio dialog box in AdminStudio shows the number of days remaining. To access the About AdminStudio dialog box: On the Help menu in AdminStudio, click About AdminStudio.

Yes. After installation, you can use AdminStudio for a limited number of days without activating it. After that trial period has ended, you need to activate AdminStudio in order to use it.

AdminStudio will stop working at the end of the trial period if you do not activate it.

If you have already purchased AdminStudio, then an activation code will be sent to you in an email. This activation code will also be available in the Flexera Product and License Center. If you cannot find your activation code, contact your AdminStudio sales representative.

Product activation is a mandatory, anonymous process that verifies the activation code for your copy of AdminStudio. Product registration is a process that entitles you to product updates and special offers.

Yes. The recommended method is to first return your license on the current machine and install the product on a new machine. Once you have installed it on the new machine, you must activate AdminStudio on the new machine.

For more information, see Returning a License to Your Account on the Activation Server in the AdminStudio 2021 R2 Activation User Guide.

If you are planning to upgrade or get a new machine, it is important that you first return your license. If you do not do this, your account on the activation server still reflects that your license is activated on your old machine. As a result, when you install the product on your new machine, you will not be able to activate it, and you will need to contact AdminStudio Support. If this situation has occurred frequently, you may be denied another activation.

No, AdminStudio should not be shared with other users. Do not share the activation code that you used for activation, since it is required to reactivate your product.

Yes. However, in most cases, the AdminStudio license will still be activated. If you attempt to reactivate but it fails, contact AdminStudio support by logging into the Flexera Community and making a selection on the Support menu.

Once you have activated AdminStudio, you do not need to be online to use it. When AdminStudio needs to be reactivated, the activation wizard attempts to reactivate silently (that is, without displaying any user interface). If your machine does not have an Internet connection when reactivation is attempted, the activation wizard is displayed, allowing you to perform an offline (email) reactivation.

NOTE: There are certain functionalities of AdminStudio, such as the Package Feed Module and publishing packages to end point management systems, which require the AdminStudio machine to be online.

The information that is used to activate AdminStudio is used within the capacity outlined by the AdminStudio End-User License Agreement (EULA). For additional information, review the privacy policy on the Flexera website:

https://www.flexera.com/legal/privacy-policy.html

Product renewal is the process by which the subscribed product is renewed for the new subscription duration in the backend. AdminStudio updates the new subscription duration on the expiry of the current subscription.