License Configuration
Air Gap Licensing
Air Gapped License Activation follows a similar concept to offline activation. The key distinction is that, in air-gapped environments, file exchange is not feasible. Therefore, the activation process relies on exchanging strings instead of files.
Concurrent License
Concurrent license, same as the Floating Licenses model, allows multiple users to utilize the license simultaneously. For example, with a shared license key among 100 machines, up to 10 machines can concurrently run the binary using the same license. The number of machines sharing the license can be set to unlimited.
Consumption-Based/Metered Usage License
A consumption-based or metered usage license model allows software vendors to implement a pay-per-use or metered approach for their end-users. This model is similar to "credits" in an arcade game, processing cycles in a CGI rendering farm, or generating a specific number of reports, where the usage is measured and billed accordingly.
Floating Cloud License
A Cloud Concurrent Licensing enables multiple users or computers to share the same license, but the application can only run a single instance. The specific computers that share the license are defined. This licensing model can be cost-effective compared to purchasing individual licenses for each user or seat.
Floating License Server
A Floating License Server is designed for implementations where licenses are issued for on-premise servers, and client devices do not require an internet connection to request or release licenses from the server. This setup allows for efficient management and distribution of licenses within a local network.
Floating Max Simultaneous Users
The Floating Max Simultaneous Users represents the maximum number of machines that can concurrently use a floating license. It is important to note that Max Simultaneous Users and Max Activations are not the same. Max Activations refers to the number of machines that are node-locked to the license. A license must be activated on a device before it can be checked out. Therefore, the number of Simultaneous Users should be less than or equal to the Max Activations configured for the license.
Floating Timeout Period
The Floating Timeout Period refers to the duration in minutes that the license app needs to ping the LicenseSpring server to maintain an active license. If the app fails to ping the server before the timeout period elapses, the license will be released from that app, making it available for other users. To modify the Floating Timeout Period for a configured product, navigate to the product settings, click on "Edit Product," and adjust the License Configuration accordingly.
Key-Based License
Activate a Key Based License covers the key-based licensing flow end-to-end.
License Borrowing
License borrowing allows users to temporarily "check out" a floating license from the license server for a specified duration. During the borrowing period, the license can be used without requiring communication with the license server. Once the borrowing period expires or the license is manually checked in, it is returned to the pool of available floating slots. This feature provides flexibility in utilizing licenses when internet connectivity is intermittent or not available.
License Custom Fields
Custom Fields are key-value pairs that enable software developers to define and push custom information to end-users at the license level. These fields provide a flexible way to include additional personalized or specific information associated with the license.
License Expiration
A license key is considered expired when it is no longer valid. Typically, this entails the application rolling back any entitlements associated with the license key, transitioning from a commercial state to a trial state.
License Features
Features refer to the ability to enable or disable specific features or functionalities within an application without requiring separate binaries or extensive code modifications. This allows software developers to control the availability of features based on the license entitlements.
Activation Features
The activation feature is a straightforward functionality present in a license. It can be either enabled or disabled, indicating whether the license supports activation or not.
Consumption Features
Consumption feature licensing enables metered usage of a specific feature within an application. This licensing model proves useful when the vendor intends to restrict the number of times a particular function is executed or a specific report is generated. It allows for precise measurement and control over the usage of the feature based on predefined thresholds or limits.
Feature Expiry Date
Product features can have a time limitation. This means that the expiry_date field on license product features can be set as a specific date (with the default value being null). This expiry_date is validated during license checks, license activations, offline license activations, and add_feature_consumption processes. Any product features with an expiry_date in the past or on the current date (according to UTC time) will be automatically removed from the license.
Reset Feature Consumption
Resets the consumption count on a license feature, setting it back to zero.
License Note
License Note are additional information or comments that can be included by license managers in the back-end system for individual licenses.
License Policy
A License Policy is defined on a product and acts as a template for license entitlements. Every product must always have at least 1 license policy, which also acts as a default. When issuing licenses, you would just select the appropriate license policy or customize from a given license policy.
Maintenance Period
The Maintenance Period is the duration during which the end user is eligible for software updates after activating a license key. While the maintenance period is active, the software publisher can configure the SDK to check for and push the latest application updates to the user. Once the maintenance period expires, users can still access and activate updates released prior to the expiration. The maintenance period can be set to never expire.
Max Activations
Max Activations refers to the maximum number of distinct devices that can be activated against a license.
More information on activations can be found at Activations & Device Transfers.
Max Consumption License / Feature Overages
Overages refers to the allowance given by the software vendor for the license (or license feature) to exceed the maximum value set for consumptions. If overages are permitted, the vendor can specify a specific value by which the license (or license feature) can exceed the maximum consumptions limit. However, if overages are not allowed, the Max Overages value is set to 0, indicating that it cannot exceed the defined maximum consumptions.
Max Consumptions
Max Consumption refers to the predefined limit that determines the maximum usage allowed for a license. It represents the highest threshold or cap set for utilizing the licensed features or resources. The Max Consumption value specifies the maximum number of times or quantity that a particular functionality or resource can be accessed or utilized within the license terms.
Node-Locking
Node-locking a license involves specifying the number and type of devices or computers that are authorized to bind to and use a particular software license. This process generates a unique Hardware ID based on the device's specifications using the SDK. The license becomes tied to these IDs, preventing unauthorized usage or sharing. Each license file is designed for activation on a specific device, ensuring it cannot be used on unintended devices.
Offline Licensing
Offline licensing refers to the mechanism developed to enable the activation and deactivation of licenses in an environment where some computers do not have an active internet connection or are behind firewalls that prevent online activation.
Offline Activations
Offline License Activation is the initial step in offline licensing. It involves verifying the software license and authorizing its use on a specific device or system. Instead of connecting to a license server over the internet, offline activations typically involve generating a unique activation key or file that is tied to the hardware or software configuration of the device. This key is used to activate the software without requiring an internet connection.
Offline License Checks
Offline license checks are performed to validate the license status of the software on the user's device. These checks ensure that the software is being used within the terms and conditions defined by the vendor. To perform offline license checks, the software may periodically scan the device or specific license files to verify the validity of the license. It may also compare the current system configuration with the authorized parameters to prevent unauthorized usage.
Offline License Refresh
Offline license refresh is used when a license has already been activated on an offline device, but there is a need to modify the license entitlements, such as adding new license features. This process synchronizes the local license with the platform, ensuring that the latest entitlements are applied.
Perpetual License
A perpetual software license is a commercial licensing model that grants end-users the right to use an application indefinitely, without any time restrictions. Once obtained, the license remains valid without the need for renewals or expiration dates.
More information about perpetual licenses can be found on our License Types page.
Prevent Virtual Machine
Device fingerprinting becomes irrelevant on virtual machines as they often share the same machine profile, resulting in identical hardwareID computations across instances. Consequently, the configuration of "max activation" becomes inconsequential. To address this scenario, app developers have two alternatives: either utilize floating licenses or implement measures to prevent their software from running on virtual machines.
Reset Consumption
Consumption Period in License Features covers the reset behavior for consumptions.
Subscription License
A subscription license is a type of license where the validity is dependent on the status of an active subscription. As long as the buyer maintains an active subscription, the license remains valid, granting them the rights and access to the software or service. If the subscription is not renewed or expires, the license may no longer be valid, and the user's access to the software or service may be restricted.
More information about subscription licenses can be found on our License Types page.
Time-Limited License
A time-limited license is a type of license that has a predefined expiration date. After the specified date, the license ceases to function. The validity period of a time-limited license can be extended by the Independent Software Vendor (ISV) if required.
More information about time-limited licenses can be found on our License Types page.
Times Activated
A license begins with 0 activations and increases by 1 each time it is activated. When a device is deactivated from the license, the activation count decreases by 1. The total activations should never exceed the maximum allowed activations.
For more information, visit Activations & Device Transfers.
Total Consumptions
Total Consumptions refers to the count of consumptions that the end-user has already utilized. It is important to ensure that this value remains within the limit defined by the sum of Max Consumptions and Max Overages.
Trial License
Trial Licenses are an alternative, expiring license type that exists within the LicenseSpring SDK. Trial licenses provide LicenseSpring’s customers the opportunity to tailor the state of their application for trial users.
User-Based License
user-based licensing expands beyond license keys and incorporates other user-provided credentials, such as name, email, password, or other fields, for authentication and usage. In this approach, license activation may not rely solely on a license key, but rather on user account credentials. This type of licensing is common for online services like content streaming or database access.
Validity Period
When configuring a new product within LicenseSpring, you can define the default validity period for generated license keys. The validity period represents the number of days between the first activation of the license key and its expiration. License keys can be set to be valid indefinitely (perpetual) or for a specific limited period of time.
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