Licensing, Cloud and Web Services Wiki Pointer File Explained for Pre-XM Products [FAQ]

The Licensing and Activation Community has merged with the Cloud and Web Services Community. Read more here.

Pointer File Explained for Pre-XM Products [FAQ]


	Applies To

	Product(s):	SELECTserver Gateway
	Version(s):	08.09.xx.xx to current
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	N/A
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

Overview

In order to run a Pre-XM Bentley Product with Server Based Licensing, usually a SELECTserver Gateway, it is important to understand how to tell you Bentley Product to talk to the License Server.

The client machine, running Pre-XM applications, talks to the SELECTserver using a pointer file.

A pointer license file is a basic text file with a .lic extension which is saved in the licensing directory on the client computer.

In order to create a pointer file, you'll first need to locate the .lic file for your product. For a list of license file names and locations. A list of license file names and default licensing directories for each product can be found on BE Communities at the following link: http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/2668.aspx

If a .lic file does not exist, one must be created. Please see steps below to create a pointer file.

1. Open Notepad to start a new file.

2. Type the following text: SERVER="YourServerName"

This will be the only text in this file.

"YourServerName" is the name of the computer where the SELECTserver Gateway has been installed.

If you are not using DNS or WINS for IP-to-name resolution you will need to add the following line: SERVER="YourServerName" IPADDRESS="xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" Where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx is your server's actual IP address.

3. Click File > Save As

4. In the Save As dialog, change the file type to "All Files"

5. Browse to the proper licensing location for your product and version.

6. Name the file to match product and version you are using.

7. Click the Save button.

Remember, different Bentley Products and Versions may require different client side license file names and locations. For details see this technote: http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/2668.aspx