License Entitlements
Floating Licenses
Floating License Server
4min
Note: Visit our Floating Server Usage page for information on how to use our license server.
In an enterprise setting, configuring all computers with a particular software license can often be inconvenient or unfeasible, particularly when the environment encompasses machines lacking internet connectivity.
To address this challenge, we present floating licensing tailored for private networks. This system hinges on a distinct floating license server that can be readily established.
Licenses are dispensed per server, and end-user computers exclusively interact with these floating servers.
- Centralized License Management: Floating servers hold the licenses instead of individual machines, simplifying upkeep and management.
- Redundancy and Scalability: Floating servers are redundant and can be configured in any quantity on the network. They simply need the capability to connect with each other.
- Offline Capability: In the event of a loss of internet access within the client facility network, the floating licensing functionality remains unaffected.
- Localized Performance and Reliability: Floating servers are situated locally to end-user computers, ensuring minimal latency and enhanced reliability.
- Multiple redundant floating servers can operate within the private network, necessitating their ability to intercommunicate.
- Floating server(s) necessitate initial internet access (for license activation) and periodic connectivity (to synchronize with the central server).
LicenseSpring Floating Server Visualization

The operational sequence for utilizing such a license unfolds as follows:
- Purchase and Specifications: The customer acquires a time-limited, for instance, one-year floating license encompassing 3 activations and catering to 5000 floating users. This configuration implies that the license can be concurrently employed on 3 distinct floating servers, facilitating a cumulative 5000 simultaneous users.
- Floating Server Setup: The customer establishes the floating server on up to 3 servers and embeds the license key within the server's configuration file.
- End-User Application Configuration: On all end-user computers, the application necessitates configuration with just 2 parameters: the application's short-code and one or more IPs corresponding to the floating servers. There is no requirement for individual licenses. Accomplishing this is commonly facilitated through provisioning or Mobile Device Management (MDM) software.
- SDK Integration: The application incorporates 2 SDK methods: FloatingActivateLicense (during application startup) and FloatingDeactivateLicense (upon application closure). These functions mirror standard Activate and Deactivate methods but diverge in their approach. Instead of connecting to the central server, they engage in license checkouts from the floating server.
- Automatic Ping Mechanism: The SDK features an automated and periodic pinging system to one of the floating servers. This signaling informs the server that the current instance persists and actively utilizes the provisioned license. Should the SDK fail to ping the server within a designated interval, a solitary floating license is released. Subsequently, it can be claimed by another computer.

Floating Server Workflow


Updated 22 Oct 2024
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