SPLM – Time out

Microsoft Windows Firewall and SmartPlant License Manager

Microsoft Windows Firewall and SmartPlant License Manager

SmartPlant License Manager uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) ports to pass license seats from the SmartPlant License Manager license machine(s) to the workstation(s). TCP port 807 is required to be open. The SmartPlant License Manager license machine uses port 807 to “listen” for requests from the workstations for a license seat. If a request is made, the software uses a random TCP port to pass the seat from the license machine to the client. A firewall is used to prevent unauthorized port access. Most firewall programs allow an administrator to open ports to prevent the firewall from interfering with a program’s execution. Because SmartPlant License Manager uses random ports, there is not a good way to do this unless the firewall program also allows programs to be added to a program list to open ports required by the program. If the user exits the application properly, the license used by the workstation is released back to the pool of available licenses. Sometimes, when an application process is exited abnormally, the license seat is not returned to the license manager. This is where the SmartPlant License Manager license machine can help. A scavenge routine can be set up to run that will scavenge the network for seats that are reserved. If one is found, the seat can be returned to the pool if it is no longer in use. The firewall prevents the license machine from retrieving the seat and returns a timed out error message. In order to run commands using the Command Prompt window, pdlice.exe needs to be added to the Exception List for the Windows Firewall on both the license machine and the client machine (if it is turned on). This includes all Windows operating systems (for example, Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and so forth). The following steps provide an example of how to add the appropriate SmartPlant License Manager program to the Exception List for Microsoft Windows 7 (allowing for proper scavenging and access to the license machine).

Allow SmartPlant License Manager through Windows Firewall

1. Select Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall to display the Windows Firewall options.
2. Click to select Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall.
3. Click Change settings.
4. Click Allow another program.
5. Click Browse on the Add a Program dialog box.
6. Browse for the pdlice.exe program (by default, it is installed in c:\win32app\ingr\splm\bin).
7. Click to select pdlice.exe and click Open.
8. Click Add on the Add a Program dialog box. SmartPlant License Manager is now displayed in the Allowed programs and features list.
9. Click OK to dismiss the Windows Firewall options. [Connecting Socket] Connection Time Out is the error message you receive if pdlice.exe is not defined in the Windows Firewall exception list.

 

Modifying and Displaying Scavenging Processes

Scavenging is automatically enabled for one minute past the hour.
Use the following procedure to modify the interval or to save a log of the scavenging
operation.

Click Display and Modify Scavenging Options on the Scavenge Options dialog
box. (Or, type pdlice –N in a Command Prompt window.) This command requires system administrator privileges. The Display and Modify Scavenging Options dialog box appears.

2. Set the applicable options.
Time interval (minutes) – Modifies/sets scavenging time in minutes.
Start time (Minutes past) – Sets a scavenging time to begin at any specified
minute past the hour. Valid values are 0-59 minutes.
Output file name – Defines an output file name that contains your scavenging
information.
Maximum output file size – Defines the maximum size of your output file.
Do not scavenge for unused seats – Click to place a check mark in the check
box if you do not want the system to scavenge for unused seats.
3. Click OK.