Network licensing provides ease of license management for large design companies, educational institutions, and other environments that need to support many users. The Network License Manager (NLM) provides centralized control of licenses, including their registration, activation, and distribution to users.
One main advantage of a network license is that you can install products on more computers than the number of licenses you have purchased. For example, you can purchase 25 licenses but install them on 40 computers for ease of access. At any one time, up to 25 licenses can be in use. This means you get a true floating license.
A network licensing system can use an options file to configure several advanced license management features. One of these is license borrowing, which allows users to borrow a license for a limited time for use on a computer disconnected from the network. Another advanced feature is license timeout, in which a license is sent back to NLM if the product has not been active for a specified time period.