| Applies To | |||
| Product(s): | SELECTserver | ||
| Version(s): | All | ||
| Environment: | N/A | ||
| Area: | N/A | ||
| Subarea: | N/A | ||
| Original Author: | Bentley Technical Support Group | ||
Who is the recommended user of SELECTserver?
A CAD or System Administrator is the typical user of SELECTserver. However, no special skills are required other than a general knowledge of the Bentley installation, Microsoft server technologies, and the corporate network environment.
Will I have to re-license my MicroStation seats for the V8 XM Edition or V8i?
All of Bentley's V8 XM Edition and V8i applications take on a new implementation of licensing, enabled exclusively through SELECTserver. But SELECTserver also supports pre-XM applications through its Gateway Service feature. You should replace your existing SELECTserver with a SELECTserver Gateway Service to support pre-XM applications. As long as the server name is maintained, you eliminate the need to make changes to each pre-XM application.
Do I have to run a SELECTserver for every site I have?
No. SELECTserver can manage multiple license files (i.e., "Sites") from a single application server. The ability to manage multiple sites does not change the assets in or contractual nature of each site defined in the Bentley SELECT Agreement.
Are accounts required to maintain separate sites, or can I merge all of our sites into a single pool of licenses?
As a SELECT subscriber, your SELECT Agreement defines the configuration of your Sites, which are the basis for purchasing and invoicing. Contact your account manager for questions in this area.
Is it possible to have more than one SELECTserver at a single site?
No, it is not possible to have more than one SELECTserver draw from or manage a single site. Bentley's CRM data model does not provide for more than one pool of licenses per site. In fact, Bentley has no business process to support this scenario. Some accounts have used older version of SELECTserver in an unsupported manner to compartmentalize usage. Custom Activation Groups can be used to sub-divde a License Pool to meet the needs of your site.
With SELECTserver, can administrators move a license from one of their sites to another using the Online License Tool?
Bentley has no plans to support this self-service activity at this time. Site redeployment may have billing or tax implications and generally involves a contract change. Please contact your Bentley Sales Support specialist for related questions.
Is there a Gateway Service on SELECTserver Online?
No, a Gateway is to be installed locally at the account for pre-XM applications.
Can SELECTserver and the Gateway Service be installed on the same server machine?
Yes, the Gateway Service and SELECTserver can be installed on the same machine.
How do I install only the Gateway Service and not SELECTserver itself?
The Gateway Service's sole responsibility is to serve the licensing needs of pre-XM applications. The Gateway Service can be installed without also installing SELECTserver itself. The Gateway Service is delivered separately from the SELECTserver install set (note that there are x86 and x64 versions -- the latter runs specifically on 64-bit Windows operating systems).
How do I know which database application is right for me?
An existing Microsoft SQL Server is recommend, as it is likely to be well-administered and in a backup rotation. If you do not have an existing SQL Server installed, then SQL Server 2008 Express is a free database alternative that is compatible with SELECTserver. SELECTserver includes SQL Server 2008 Express in it's installation set.
Will my SELECTserver operate in a proxy server environment?
Yes, SELECTserver works in a proxy server environment in several ways. First, V8 XM and V8i applications are able to communicate to SELECTserver via a proxy server. SELECTservers can also communicate with Bentley.com Web services via a proxy server. Finally, the SELECTserver Gateway Service is able to communicate with SELECTservers via proxy servers.
Are routine changes to my SELECTserver licenses automated?
The system has been designed to automatically retrieve license updates. When you order additional products, the system will automatically add them to the appropriate site and make it available for download to SELECTserver.
Does SELECTserver have a grace period after contract end date?
Yes. SELECTserver provides notifications for pending expiration dates of applications and sites it manages, as well as its own expiration. If no action is taken and the expiration date is reached, SELECTserver will begin its own deactivation process, which lasts for 30 days.
What happens to my checked-out license if my machine crashes or I lose my laptop?
SELECTserver admin pages provide a way to backup checked-out licenses, so they can be retrieved and copied back to the client machine if necessary. In exceptional cases, the System Administrator can revoke a checked-out license and return it to the pool.
What about Home Use Edition licensing? Does this change?
The Bentley Institute makes Home Use Licenses available to all Bentley SELECT subscribers as a valuable training resource. This entitlement will be made available via a separate hosted SELECTserver site.
Home Use license users need to connect to the Internet at least once a month to keep the software activated. Users will activate from their home to this hosted license site. They will likewise, report usage to this site, which will provide both the account and Bentley some insight into what is being used and by whom. The account will have the responsibility to distribute the software they want to be included and distribute a product Activation Key for home use users.
Does SELECTserver still guard against connections from a different time zone?
SELECTserver has used a technique in the past that disallowed connections from desktop machines more than 90 minutes apart from the server clock. This restriction is no longer a valid consideration for SELECTserver because desktop and server applications are now activated to a Site (pool) on the SELECTserver. Every machine or user is physically located in one place, i.e. on one Site, so should be activated accordingly to that Site, as managed by SELECTserver.
See Also
External Links
Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase
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