Modify on-premises license access rights (tekla.opt)

The Tekla Structures on-premises license server administrator may grant different users and user groups different rights to use licenses by modifying the tekla.opt options file. This can prevent situations where there are no licenses available for users that need them because someone else has reserved or borrowed a license that they do not really need.

The information on this page is not valid for Tekla subscriptions.

The licensing options file tekla.opt is located in the ..\Tekla\License\Server folder.

The most common configuration options include the following:

You can define the access rights for specific usernames or hostnames/IP addresses either individually or using groups that you define. You can use the same username or hostname in several groups.
You can reserve a number of licenses for a specific configuration (e.g., Steel detailing) for exclusive use by a specific user or user group. If necessary, the users in the group can reserve more licenses than the reserved quota. Other users can only use one of the remaining free licenses outside the reserved quota.
You can define a maximum (max) number of licenses that a user or group can simultaneously use. Users who are not included in this limitation can use any free license.
You can include (allow) a user or group in the exclusive use of all licenses for a specific configuration. Other users are prevented from using the configuration.
You can exclude (disallow) specific users from using any licenses for a specific configuration. All other users are allowed to use the configuration.
You can include and exclude users from borrowing licenses.

To modify access rights in the tekla.opt file:

Go to the ..\Tekla\License\Server folder.
Open the tekla.opt file in a text editor.
Enter your definitions for license access rights and restrictions.
The definition string consists of the following parts: [keyword] [Tekla Structures feature] [user type] [name]

When you write the definition, follow the rules below.
- Note that the options file is case sensitive.
- If you need to define user groups and host groups, define them first.
  
  Use Windows user names when defining user groups and hostnames or IP addresses when defining host groups.
- Enter one definition per row. A definition consists of the following things:
  - An options keyword that defines the actions.
  - A feature, such as a configuration, that is affected by the keyword.
  - The type that is affected by the keyword.
    
    The options are: USER, GROUP, HOST, and HOST_GROUP.
  - The name of the user, user group, host, or host group that is affected by the keyword.
    
    You can use the hostnames or IP addresses of the computers with the HOST and HOST_GROUP keywords.
- To disable a row in the options file, enter # in the beginning of the row.
Examples of definitions:

INCLUDE PCD-C USER scarlett (Only the user scarlett is allowed to use the Precast Concrete Detailing configuration.)

RESERVE 1 RCD-C USER vera(One license of the Rebar Detailing configuration is reserved for the user vera.)

For details about the allowed keywords and configuration codes together with more examples, Configuration codes and keywords used in access right definitions.
Save the changes and close the text editor.
Go to Tekla Licensing > LMTOOLS through the Start menu or Start screen, depending on your Windows operating system.
In LMTOOLS, go to the Start/Stop/Reread tab and click the ReRead License File button to update the changes in the license file and in the options file.

Useful links

For more information about limiting certain Tekla Structures versions to certain users, see the following Support Article in Tekla User Assistance: How to limit certain Tekla Structures version to certain users