Install FlexLM on Ubuntu Server 16

This tutorial will detail how to install FlexLM security on Ubuntu Server 16.04. Installation on the desktop version is also possible (version 17.10 was personally verified).
The servers will be both specially designed for Linux (Autodesk), and existing only for Windows (Nanosoft / CSoft).

Read more about licensing below .

Install Autodesk NLM

Ubuntu is not in the list of supported OS , but it is fixable.

0) Installing the OS is yours.

1) Download the latest NLM from Autodesk .

At the time of writing, this is 11.13.1.2

wget http://download.autodesk.com/us/support/files/network_license_manager/11_13_1_2_v2/Linux/nlm11.13.1.2_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.tar.gz

2) Unzip the archive.

tar -xvzf nlm11.13.1.2_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.tar.gz

The output is an rpm package.

3) Install the necessary packages to work.

sudo apt-get install alien lsb -y

4) Convert the package to deb.

sudo alien nlm11.13.1.2_ipv4_ipv6_linux64.rpm

The output is adlmflexnetserver_12.0.36-1_amd64.deb .

5) Install the resulting package.

sudo dpkg -i adlmflexnetserver_12.0.36-1_amd64.deb

Installation takes place in / opt / flexnetserver

6) Put your license for Autodesk products on the server. How to get a license, read below .

7) Create a folder for the logs and set the necessary rights.

sudo mkdir /var/log/flex
sudo chmod 777 /var/log/flex

8) Test the license.

cd /opt/flexnetserver
./lmgrd -c /opt/flexnetserver/adskflex.lic -l /var/log/flex/flex.log
./lmutil lmstat -a

The path to your license may vary.
If the server is working correctly, then go to the next step. If not, then read the log and proceed to debug.

9) To start the license server in automatic mode, you must register it in rc.local . It is desirable to run on behalf of an unprivileged user and through nohup . This utility allows the process to work even when the user exits.

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

and specify the line before exit 0
su user -c 'nohup / opt / flexnetserver / lmgrd -c /opt/flexnetserver/adskflex.lic -l /var/log/flex/flex.log'

10) Restart the server and check the operation (item 8).

Everything is quite simple when there is a native server. But what if the vendor ignores Linux?

Install Nanosoft NLM

Or any other NLM Windows server. This works of course through Wine.

0) Installing the OS is yours.

1) Install wine. I recommend installing according to the instructions from the official site .

wget -nc https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/Release.key
sudo apt-key add Release.key
sudo apt-add-repository https://dl.winehq.org/wine-builds/ubuntu/
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --install-recommends winehq-stable -y

2) Configure wine. This is done strictly on behalf of the user.

winecfg

Warning will sprinkle, ignore them.

3) Install Nanosoft NLM on any Windows machine and transfer the folder with the executive files to the target server. Installation can be done without a license file. According to the structure, you need to transfer files to /home/user/.wine/drive_c/Program Files (x86) / Nanosoft / Nanosoft License Server / . Instead of user, specify the name of your user.

Strictly speaking, this path is optional. It is enough that it is inside drive_c or another mounted drive (see instructions).

Also transfer the license file.

4) Test the server.

wine "C:\Program Files (x86)\Nanosoft\Nanosoft License Server\lmgrd.exe" -z -c "путь_к_вашей_лицензии"

If the terminal freezes on the command (lmgrd) NANOSOFT using TCP-port * , then the server is in working condition. You can interrupt execution as usual via Ctrl + C.
There may be errors if you already have some kind of software installed. For example, in the case of MC, you need to fix the rights to the .local / share folder .

I also advise you to enable logging. You can do this by simply adding the appropriate argument.

wine "C:\Program Files (x86)\Nanosoft\Nanosoft License Server\lmgrd.exe" -z -c "путь_к_вашей_лицензии" -l +"путь_к_лог-файлу"

In this case, monitor the operating status by the log (the file is created automatically).

Other arguments can be found in the administration guide [p.103].

5) For lmutil.exe to work correctly, register the vendor and the path to the license file.

wine "C:\Program Files (x86)\Nanosoft\Nanosoft License Server\lmutil.exe" lmpath -add nanocad "путь_к_вашей_лицензии"

6) To start the license server in automatic mode, you must register it in rc.local .

sudo nano /etc/rc.local

and specify the line before exit 0
su user -c 'nohup wine “C: \ Program Files (x86) \ Nanosoft \ Nanosoft License Server \ lmgrd.exe” -z -c “path_to your license_file” -l + “path_to_log_file”'

7 ) Reboot the machine and check the server.

wine "C:\Program Files (x86)\Nanosoft\Nanosoft License Server\lmutil.exe" lmstat -a

Licensing Details

FlexLM licensing can be of 2 types: with binding to a MAC address or to a USB key. The second in the era of mass adoption of hypervisors, in my opinion, is less flexible in terms of infrastructure. After all, it is much easier to raise a dedicated VM with the desired MAC than to suffer with key forwarding. In the case of Ubuntu Server, obtaining a license online does not work. You will have to pick up another VM from another OS with the same MAC.
By the way, on Ubuntu 17.10 it is possible to get a license via the Internet :).

Change licensing type

If you have already purchased software with key protection, as for example, do not worry! Typically, the vendor allows the exchange of licensing type.
In most cases, the appeal to TP is enough.

For example, Nanosoft requires a scan of a letter signed / stamped with a request for re-issuance using the MAC, in addition, you must specify S / N and login. After obtaining a new license, the old one must be destroyed.

And of course, FlexLM licenses can be monitored by Zabbix!