5.1 Overview of ClearCase LT Licensing

ClearCase LT, like most Rational Software products, requires a license to run. ClearCase LT licensing is based on the FLEXlm license management tool from GLOBEtrotter Software, Inc. The ClearCase LT installation procedure installs FLEXlm client software on ClearCase LT client hosts.

Most end users configure their own systems for licensing using software that is included in ClearCase LT. If a license server is needed, an administrator typically configures a host as the FLEXlm license server, using software provided by Rational and GLOBEtrotter, then acquires and manages the licenses served by that host. If you have a FLEXlm license server at your site, especially if it is configured to serve licenses for other Rational Software products, you may be able to use it as the ClearCase LT license server host too.

Administering Licenses for Rational Software provides detailed descriptions of all aspects of Rational Common Licensing on Windows platforms; it includes all the information a user or administrator needs to install, configure, and troubleshoot licensing on Windows clients, as well as instructions for setting up a FLEXlm license server host on Windows.

The Installation Guide for Rational ClearCase LT includes detailed information about setting up a FLEXlm license server on UNIX platforms and adding licenses to a new or existing FLEXlm server on UNIX.

Floating and Node-Locked Licenses

FLEXlm supports two types of licenses: floating and node-locked.

• A floating license is installed on a license server host and permits a specified number of users to use all ClearCase LT features on any ClearCase LT client host served by that server.

• A node-locked license is installed on a single ClearCase LT client host and permits any user logged in to that host to use all ClearCase LT features on that host.

ClearCase LT on Windows platforms can use any node-locked Rational Suite license or a floating license specific to Clearcase LT. ClearCase LT on UNIX platforms can use only the floating license type.

To use ClearCase LT, a user must obtain a license, which grants the privilege to use ClearCase commands and data on any ClearCase LT host in the local area network. When a user runs a ClearCase client utility, such as cleartool or a GUI program, that utility attempts to obtain a license. On a client using a node-locked license, this attempt always succeeds as long as a valid license key is installed on the host. If the client is using a floating license, the attempt succeeds as long as the license server host can be reached over the network and enough floating licenses are available for all concurrent ClearCase LT users. After a user obtains a floating license, entering any ClearCase command renews the license. If the user doesn't enter a ClearCase command for a substantial period-by default, 30 minutes-another user can take the license.

Temporary, Permanent, and Term Licenses

Both floating and node-locked licenses can be either temporary, permanent, or subject to a term license agreement (TLA). Temporary licenses are shipped with ClearCase LT and allow users to begin using the product immediately while requests for permanent license keys are being processed. TLA licenses keys are a variation on permanent license keys. Contact your local Rational sales team for more information about TLA licenses.

ClearCase LT and Rational Suites Licenses

On Windows platforms, ClearCase LT can use a Rational Suite floating license or a dedicated ClearCase LT floating license. It can also use a node-locked license.