Introduction
In this tutorial, we will navigate through the licensing process for FME Server 2018 and newer releases. This tutorial works for FME Server 2016+, the only difference is how the FME Server interface looks.
Note: For users switching from a pool of FME Engines currently hosted by a single FlexLM floating license to our new licensing model, each serial number will now be tied to a single FME Server installation. If you intend to use multiple installations of FME Server (eg dev, staging, production), please contact codes@safe.com to discuss options for employing your desired configuration.
Video
This video walks through the steps on how to license FME Server 2018. For FME Server 2016, see this video.
Instructions
1) Install FME Server
Download and Install FME Server. The download can be found on the FME Server Download page.
2) Open FME Server Web Use Interface and log in
Once FME Server is installed, go to the Windows Start Menu, navigate to the FME Server in the programs list, then click on FME Server Web Interface.
When the FME Server Web Interface opens, log in with the administrator username and password specified during the installation.
3) Activate FME Server
After clicking Login, you will be prompted with a dialogue window asking you if you would like to activate FME Server. Click on YES.
Popup prompt to active FME Server when opening FME Server for the first time.
You should now be on the “Engines & Licensing” page which indicates that FME Server is currently Unlicensed.
After clicking Yes on the popup prompt, you will be brought to the Engines & Licensing page
4) Request a New License
Click on the “Request License” button.
Click the Request License button for both purchased and evaluation licenses
In the Request a New License dialog, select Yes for the “Use Automatic Licensing via the Internet” option.
This means that FME Server will simply obtain a license from our servers without the need for human intervention. Alternatively, if you are in a situation where you are disconnected from the internet, or if the automatic option has not worked for you, then you may select the “Manual” option (if you select the "Manual" option, please follow the instructions in Request and Install a License - Offline Mode Section.)
Enter Credentials (Email address, First Name, Last Name). The machine key field should be already populated, so no action is required on that field.
If you have already purchased FME Server, then you should have received a valid serial number for your asset. Enter the Serial Number in this box.
If you are requesting an Evaluation License, leave the Serial Number blank.
Click OK, once all the fields have been filled in.
Fill in your credentials to request a new license. Enter a Serial Number if you have already purchased FME Server
5) Confirm License Status Change
You should now see the FME Server status has changed from “Unlicensed” to “Licensed” with a green checkmark.
Below this are further details to the installation, such as:
- The Number of Engines licensed on the machine (e.g. max_engines: 2)
- The specific Machine Key (MACHINE KEY)
- For those of you who entered a valid serial number, this is where that information would be reflected
- The Expiration Date of the License (EXPIRES)
Successfully licensed FME Server, note the Server details below (e.g. Engines, Machine Key, etc.)
If you have already purchased FME Server, you can stop here. FME Server is ready to use.
If you are requesting an Evaluation License and would like to extend your trial to 60-days, continue with the following steps:
6) Check Email for Evaluation Confirmation
Go to the inbox of the email address used for License Registration. There should be an email from codes@safe.com. The turnaround time should only be 5 - 10 minutes. If you have just requested a license but do not see an email, ensure that codes@safe.com is added to your email safe list.
Email from codes@safe.com to extend the license
This email message confirms the evaluation and the trial period that has been granted. If you wish to do so, you may obtain a 60-day FME Server license by clicking on the link provided. You will be notified that your request was successfully submitted.
Once click "Get My 60-Day License" in the email, you will see this message.
7) Refresh License
Once you have verified your email address, go back to FME Server, on the same Engines & Licensing page, you can click on the “Refresh License” button. You will see the dialogue indicating that our License Request is being processed.
Refresh the License to update the expiry date with the 60-day trial
This time, after the successful license prompt is achieved, notice the expiration date has been refreshed.
After refreshing the license you will see a new expiry date 60 days later
Updated FME Server Licensing Features for 2016+
Here are a few of the new licensing features that can be found in the updated technology:
- FME Server licensing is a lot simpler because it no longer relies on 3rd party licensing technology: FME Server will still be sold as “Engines” but we have now removed the dependency on the FlexLM component.
- Distributed, or fault tolerant, installations will now work with no further action required by the user.
- Machine keys are no longer tied to a MAC address or other similar specifics. This means that it will now be compatible with a virtual machine, Docker or other related technologies.
