Where can I find the best and most up-to-date information on Trust Licensing and SELECTserver?

Answer: The best place to go for this type of information is http://www.bentley.com/selectserver. Bentley colleagues have assembled some great information on this site. In addition, the Bentley discussion groups on MicroStation Administration are another great source of related topics.

What's different about how Bentley has implemented licensing in the V8 XM Edition?

Answer: The fundamental difference in XM-based Trust Licensing is that licensed applications can operate in a disconnected mode. In that, XM Edition and newer applications no longer require a constant connection to the license server, as long as they can connect at least once every 30 days. This is to ensure that users are not denied use of their mission-critical applications from Bentley.

Applications can be installed on many machines and there is a "usage count" in the license file (called a "Site" on SELECTserver). There's a fundamental difference in the "handshake" between the client and the license server, though, in the new SELECTserver. In the past, the handshake is based on a license request from the client application and a corresponding license grant by the server. If successful, the client will emit a "heartbeat" as long as the session is open. This is how SELECTserver historically determined that the license is in use and how usage was compiled. The problem with this model is that it requires a real-time connection to the license server and puts it in a precarious, mission-critical position. If this connection was broken or not available, users could not run their applications.

In Trust Licensing with SELECTserver, the model is different. Instead of a request-grant handshake, the application records usage locally. When a daily connection is made with the license server, the desktop application posts its usage log, including the application, version, and duration of use. In effect, the desktop is telling its SELECTserver, "This is what I used since the last time I was connected to post usage". This change in behavior puts SELECTserver into a position of primarily tracking and reporting usage, not granting licenses or enforcing the right for an application to run. And it ensures that users always "get a license", even if they are all used up at the time.

How does reporting work in SELECTserver?

Answer: Individual desktop machines log usage statistics for the application installed and running on that machine. Desktops post their logs to SELECTserver daily, or whenever they can achieve a connection. SELECTserver compiles individual logs into reports on a site-wide basis. SELECTserver transmits usage reports to Bentley on a daily basis, or whenever SELECTserver can successfully connect to Bentley's licensing Web Services.

What are my options for licensing XM and V8i Edition applications?

Answer: You do NOT have to be running XM Edition applications to take advantage of SELECTserver. You could choose to run the new server with Gateways even if you are not running any XM or V8i applications. With that said, you have three different options for activating and licensing XM Edition applications:

• SELECTserver OnLine - Alternatively, users of XM or V8i applications can have Bentley host licensing for them. In this case, we provide a hosted SELECTserver Site(s) for the account that they activate their applications against. This option requires Internet connectivity at least once monthly for each machine that is running an XM or newer application, including servers.
• Deploy and manage your own SELECTserver - This would include the deployment of SELECTserver Gateways for accounts that are using our products today. The Gateway acts as a proxy for the existing SELECTserver and allows for existing applications (i.e., 2004E) to work without having to re-license them for the new SELECTserver (as long as the Gateway is installed on the same machine they are using today).
• Non-SELECT users - Non-SELECT users of Bentley applications will activate their products against a hosted activation site. This requires a one-time Internet connection in order to download a license, thereby activating the product.

Does my SELECTserver need to be connected to the Internet?

Answer: We recommend that SELECTserver has access to the Internet. This will make routine transactions, like transmitting usage reports and downloading updated license files, much more convenient. All transactions are performed under HTTPS protocol, and no proprietary information will be included in the transmitted reports.

There is a manual alternative to transmit usage reports in order to maintain activation, and it does not require SELECTserver itself to be connected to the Internet.

How is a "Site" used in XM Licensing, as defined by a Bentley SELECT Agreement?

Answer: XM Edition applications, including SELECTserver, understand the concept of a SELECT Site. The requesting application identifies itself with a Site through the activation process. If the license server manages that Site, and has a corresponding application usage in the license file, then the application can be activated.

Can I get a node-locked license for MicroStation XM or V8i?

Answer: A SELECT subscriber who has deployed a SELECTserver or uses Bentley-hosted licensing will use a check-out license to serve the needs of node-locked style licenses. A license can be checked-out directly by the user of the target machine, or indirectly by a system administrator, on behalf of the target user. The ability for a user to check out licenses can also be controlled by the administrator. A checked-out license has a length defined by the administrator. There is a default length of one year, but it can be extended to the SELECT Agreement renewal date. Longer check-out periods are available, upon request.

For non-SELECT users, products are activated through a one-time check-out from a hosted site. Alternatively, Bentley can email the user a checked-out license. This process replaces node-locked license files for XM Edition and V8i applications.

How is pooled usage defined?

Answer: For pooled applications, please refer to the section titled "How is usage calculated?" in Term Licensing and Application Usage FAQ.

It is important to note here that named user licenses are not pooled, and are entitled to and tracked by users, not machines.

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

Licensing TechNotes and FAQs 

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

SELECTservices page on Bentley website

TechNotes and FAQ archive

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