How do I Setup a Server License on a PC?

Tekla Structural Designer
Tekla Tedds
Tekla Tedds for Word
Not version-specific
Tekla Tedds Tekla Tedds for Word
Not version-specific
Tekla Structural Designer
licensing
Server
setup
IP Address
Local Computer Locked

Background - License Types: Sentinel RMS Server & Local Computer Locked (Local)

If you have perpetual license(s) (purchased prior to March 2020) and unless you specify otherwise you will receive a (Sentinel RMS) Server License PAK (Product Activation Key) for your software purchase, as this is the default license type. You do not need to have a special dedicated server computer to use this license type - it can be used on just a single PC.

There are no downsides to a Server license vs Local; there is no additional cost, it is easy to set up, can still be used on a single PC and has the following advantages:

  • Any Windows PC can act as a license server and can both host the server license and use it to run the licensed program(s).
  • Other computers on the same network (both directly on the Local area network (LAN) and remotely connected via VPN) can share the license. 

  • Other computers can Commute the license so it can be used when disconnected from the network – e.g. to a laptop for use away from the office.

The Local License is fixed to one machine and cannot be commuted or transferred.  If you really want a Local License you can request this from your vendor.

For more details see the Installation and Licensing guide;  Software installation & licensing guide


Setup Procedure

When setting up a server license on a single PC – rather than a dedicated license server - there are two common scenarios:

  1. You have not installed anything yet.

  2. You have already installed using the Local License Method, so need to change this.

Scenario 1 - New installation:

  1. During Installation when prompted select the Server License Method.

  2. Enter the server name as localhost as shown in the picture below (this will be the default name)*

    Image
    Server license setup up - installation specify server.jpg

     
  3. Complete the Installation.

  4. Do NOT run the program yet.

  5. From the Start Menu, run Tekla > License Server Manager (not the License Manager).

    Image
    Server license setup up - run License Server Manager.jpg

     
  6. Activate your PAK(s) following the on-screen prompts (required once only).

  7. Now run your program(s).

Notes

Scenario 2 - Changing to Server from Local

  1. To ensure you have the latest version of the License Service, download the latest Tekla License Service version 3.01 (or later) from Tekla Downloads.

  2. Select the top three License Components to install as shown below - then Next and complete the installation.

    Image
    Server license setup up - install License Service options.jpg
  3. When installation is complete, from the Start Menu open Tekla >  System and User Settings

    Image
    Server license setup up - System and User Settings.jpg
  4. As shown below, on the License Server page set Server name = localhost

  5. As shown below, on the Products page select your program - e.g. Tekla Tedds - and set License method = Server.  Leave the rest of the settings as they are.

    Image
    Server license setup up - Set License Method.jpg
  6. Now the remaining steps are as for Scenario 1 from step 5 onwards.

     


Optional - Setting up other computers on the network to use the server license.

Once the server license has been activated, it is easy to set up other PCs on the network to use the license.  We call these other PC’s “clients”.  The process to set up a client is as follows;

  1. First go to the license server PC and make a note of its Computer name.  You can find this in the Windows System information as shown below.  Only the name is required, not the Full computer name.*

    Image
    Server license setup up - find computer name.jpg
  2. Now go to a client and install the program(s) - during the installation select the Server license method.

  3. When prompted enter your license server PC’s Computer name as the server name

  4. Complete the installation - that’s it!

Notes

Image
Server license setup up - find IP Address.jpg
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