Set up a concurrent license server

Streamline software deployment across your organization by learning how to set up a concurrent license server. Concurrent licensing allows multiple users on your corporate network to share a flexible pool of seats for Surfer, Grapher, and Strater, maximizing license utilization and simplifying software seat management. This page provides step-by-step instructions for network administrators to install the Sentinel RMS License Manager, configure the Golden Software License Administrator, activate product keys, and establish seamless client workstation connections.

Things to note

A license server must be set up on a computer on your company's network to serve concurrent use licenses. The license server can be a dedicated server, physical or virtual, or the license server can be one of the end user computers. The license server should use a static IP address. The setup is performed in three parts: install the Sentinel RMS License Manager, install the License Administrator, and activate your concurrent use licenses.

Surfer, Grapher, and Strater concurrent use licenses can be distributed over a number of network configurations. These include internal LAN networks as well as private and public WAN networks. User's can VPN in to the server network or RDP into a computer on the network. To set up a license server on a virtual machine, please visit Use a virtual machine or IPv6 network for concurrent license server

Prerequisites and Server Requirements

There are three things you need to run a concurrent license server:

1. Network Connectivity: Surfer, Grapher, and Strater concurrent use licenses can be distributed over a number of network configurations. These include internal LAN networks as well as private and public WAN networks. 

   • System Requirements For Setting Up A License Server

   • To set up a license server on a virtual machine, please visit Use a virtual machine or IPv6 network for concurrent license server

2. Required Port Configurations: Ensure that UDP port 5093 is completely open on the host server's firewall to allow client software communication. Note that TCP port 5093 is not utilized, only UDP port 5093 is required.

3. Licensing Tools: Download or update to the latest installation packages compatible with your software license for both the Sentinel RMS License Manager and Golden Software License Administrator from the Concurrent Licensing Tools section of the Golden Software portal.

Find and download needed installation files

Determining if a License Manager is installed

First, use the Windows Services application to determine if a Sentinel RMS License Manager is installed:

1. Open the Windows Services application. The fastest way to open the Windows Services application is using the Run command: press the Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Sort the Services list by Name by clicking the Name column header.
3. Scroll through the list and locate the Sentinel RMS License Manager service, if it not listed you do not have it installed on the compute.

If there is no Sentinel RMS License Manager Installed

If you do now have the Sentinel RMS License Manager currently installed you will need to download the correct installation file. 

• Start by checking what software version your license if for.
  1. Log into or create a Golden Software MyAccount.
     • Create and manage your Golden Software My Account
     • Reset My Account password (existing customer)
  2. Navigate to My Products page.
  3. Scroll down to your license and review the License Version
     
     • If your license is not listed you may need to Add software to My Products list in My Account
• Use the Compatibility Table to determine determine what the latest version of Sentinel RMS License Manager and Golden Software License Administrator that you should use. First determine your Sentinel RMS License Manager version number, then determine your Golden Software License Administrator version number. 
• To find the latest installation version files for the Sentinel RMS License Manager and Golden Software License Administrator, go to the Product Downloads page and check the Concurrent Licensing Tools section.

Update your already installed Sentinel RMS License Manager 

To update a concurrent use license server already installed, please navigate to the following article: Update the License Manager and License Administrator on your license server.

Step-by-Step Installation & Activation

Video: How to set up a license server for concurrent use licenses

Activate your concurrent use license

For concurrent use activations, follow the instruction below.

1. Open the License Administrator
2. Select the Activate tab
3. Enter your Product Key and click Activate
4. Click Done when the Activation is complete message is displayed

Connecting Client Workstations to the Server

After the license server has been set up, you can install the program on your computer and get a seat from the license server by follow the instruction below. 

1. Install and open the program on the end users PC.  The PC should be on the same local network as the license server.  If you are not sure, ask your IT administrator
2. Click Select License Server in the Licensing dialog
   
3. In the License Server Selection dialog, you can either search for license servers on the local network, or you can type in the name or IP address of the license server  Then click Search.
   
4. Click the down arrow in the results field to see the list of all license servers visible on the network.
5. When you have selected the license server from the list, click Get License.
   

Video: How to connect client computer to the license server

Administrator Troubleshooting Resources

While deploying a concurrent license server is typically a straightforward process, network security layers and environment restrictions can occasionally interrupt communication between your server and client workstations. If your team encounters connectivity issues or activation blocks, use the technical troubleshooting steps and diagnostic databases below to quickly isolate firewall settings, resolve installation errors, and decode specific licensing system behaviors.

• Firewall Restrictions: Even if the software opened UDP port 5093 automatically during step 1, third-party corporate endpoint security or anti-virus suites may block the connection. Create an explicit inbound traffic rule for UDP port 5093 on the server, and a corresponding outbound rule on your master client image.

Below is a list of additional Resources you might find useful

• Licensing troubleshooting and error codes
• Troubleshooting issues with the License Manager
• License troubleshooting and errors codes (older versions of software)
• Licensing Troubleshooting Articles List
• Surfer Install Errors
• Grapher Install Errors

Additional support

If you require assistance setting up your license server, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Customer Success team by creating a new ticket here. Our legendary support agents will be happy to answer with any setup questions, or assist with any issues you may face during the setup process.