How can I dispatch Matlab flexlm licenses accross many IP networks ?

Hello,

I have a number of IP networks (say 10, from network_IP0 to network_IP9), and a number of Matlab licenses to dispatch (say 20).

I would like to have 10 licences reserved for one group composed of the 5 first networks (say from network_IP0 to network_IP4), and 10 licenses for a second group composed of the 5 other networks (from network_IP5 to network_IP9).

According to the documentation, I can't seem to be able to reserve licenses for many IP networks in the options file, one can only reserve to an IP range.

I can't either split the licence file and have flexlm wait on separate tcp ports, as MLM complains about this (and has a /var/tmp/lockMLM to prevent it).

I've tried chrooting, to separate the locks, and be able to have two instances of MLM, to no avail for now.

I can't list exhaustively the users or host IPs to reserve licenses to.

So, my question is : is there a way to do it ? I would like to avoid setting up two servers.

Thanks in advance,

Regards,

Jean-Marc

Answer 1

[Ori]

Hi Jean-Marc.

1. If I understand your question correctly, I believe you can do that by declaring 2 host groups, and applying RESERVE rules to each of them. Host groups are declared so:

HOST_GROUP group_name host_list

where host_list is a space-separated list of hostnames, IPs and IP ranges ('*' wildcard)

2. Are you aware that by dividing your licenses that way you are effectively reducing license availability ? You are giving away the flexibility which is a major property of your expensive floating licenses. The 6th User from each group will be denied a license.

Think of these alternatives:

(A) Declare MAX 6 for each of the groups. You'd grant the 6th license, and only deny a 7th request for each group.

(B) RESERVE only 4 for each - you'd still have 2 licenses floating between the groups.

Best regards,

Ori Kaplan, Support Manager, OpenLM

[Jean-Marc]

Hi Ori,

Thank you for your answer, I've been struggling with the configuration, but the use of the HOST_GROUP is quite difficult. Some boxes announce themselves by their IP address, others by their FQDN, or by a local name wich isn't even in a DNS, so restricting with HOST_GROUP prevents them of getting a licence.

I don't see the possibility in flexlm to "force" the use of the IP address, so I guess I'm in toruble :-)

Thanks anyway,

Best Regards

Jean-Marc