To work with a network license options file

Create an options file and use it to set a license timeout or configure license borrowing.

Audience

Administrator

Create an options File

You can create option files for one or more servers and manage network licenses through those files. You don't have to create option files for all servers, and you can configure different options files for different servers. If your options file defines product features for perpetual or maintenance plan seats, your settings apply to multi-user subscription seats in the license file as well. However, if you define controls at the product package level, add package codes for the multi-user seats.

Note: For complete information about options files, see Managing the Options File, in the FLEXnet Publisher License Administration Guide. You'll find that guide in the Network License Manager folder on your license server.

To activate an options file, save it and then reread the license file.

1. Open Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS). Enter the commands and parameters as specified for the report log or other function. These operations are documented in the License Administration Guide installed with Network License Manager (NLM).
2. Name the document adskflex.opt and save it where you saved the network license file.
Note: Be sure to save the file with the extension .opt. NLM does not recognize .txt.
3. Have your server reread the license file.
   • For a Windows server, use the LMTOOLS utility installed with NLM and select Reread License File.
   • For a macOS or Linux server, launch a Terminal window, navigate to the Autodesk Network License Manager folder (flexnetserver), and enter the following string:

      ./lmutil lmreread -c @hostname-all
     			 

4. Examine the debug log file to be sure that the options file has been read. If it was not, stop and restart the license server.

Set a license timeout

Set a limit on how long a license can be borrowed to prevent inactive computers from holding the license indefinitely.

1. Open the options file in a text editor and enter one of the following commands on a separate line:

   • TIMEOUT feature_code n

     Here, feature_code is the name of the product and n is the number of seconds of inactivity before the server reclaims a license. For example, TIMEOUT 66800REVIT_F 7200 means that the license timeout for Revit is 7200 seconds, or two hours.

   • TIMEOUTALL n

     Here, the timeout is for all products, where n is the number of seconds before the server reclaims an inactive Autodesk product.

Configure license borrowing

You can allow license borrowing without using an options file. However, an options file gives you more control over how long the license can be borrowed.

1. Open the options file in Notepad or TextEdit and enter the following on a separate line:

   BORROW_LOWWATER feature_code n

   Here, feature_code specifies the product and n is the minimum number of licenses that must remain on the server. When that number is reached, no more licenses can be borrowed.
2. Enter the following on the next line:

   MAX_BORROW_HOURS feature_code n

   Here, feature_code specifies the product and n is the maximum number of hours a license can be borrowed.
Note: Licenses are borrowed in multiples of 24 hours.