License Server

[Bernd Schlaefke]

Hello,

we are using watchout 5 in a broadcast-studio with several display computers. So we like to have the license keys central on a save place while using watchout. In the codemeter software we found the option to run it as an license server. So our idea is to put all license keys on one save place and serve each license to the display computer via network. What is the right way to do this. In the watchout manual there is no description for using the codemeter software and license options.

Thanks for your support

Bernd

 

[JJ Myers]

Bernd,

 

I would recommend that you contact your WO reseller about obtaining a "site license" as opposed to individual licenses for each of your displays. The site license is a single dongle with a certain amount of available software licenses that it distributes out to displays requesting a license. Your environment seems to be a perfect fit for a site license, and I'm sure that your reseller would be more than willing to trade in your individual licenses for a site license.

 

JJ

[Jonas Dannert]

Sorry, there is no SiteServer option for WATCHOUT 5. (yet)

 

I have answered this question off-forum already.

 

---------------------------------

 

Why not install them inside the case of the Display computer? This is the way we, and many others, do on our own Show-PC:s.

Then they are very much out of the way.

 

>In the codemeter software we found the option to run it as an license server.

 

There is/was a SiteServer option for earlier versions, up to v.4, for amounts of 10+ licenses and with a slightly lower price per licence.

This was another type of key, and the server software runs on a separate PC. Main reason for buying this version was price,

especially on very big, mostly fixed, installations.

 

>So our idea is to put all license keys on one 'save place' (i.e. USB-hub-box with kensington key) and serve each license to the display computer via network.

>Is there any way to do this?

 

No, this will not work.

 

>In the watchout manual there is no description for using the codemeter software and license options.

 

This is because there is no SiteServer option, at the moment, for WATCHOUT 5.

It also makes less sense now, since one can run up to 6 outputs from one graphics card, on each license.

 

[jfk]

Sorry, there is no SiteServer option for WATCHOUT 5. (yet)

...This is because there is no SiteServer option, at the moment, for WATCHOUT 5.

Ignoring the economic issue, like the OP's request,

for asset security management in some environments, there is value to remotely serving the licenses .

 

There are both upsides and downsides to remote license service.

If a license server goes down, all WATCHOUT computers will soon go offline.

We have entertainment fixed installation live event customers

who simply will not trust the operation of every display to a single computer / network,

and in v2-3-4 that decision carried significant expense.

 

It also makes less sense now, since one can run up to 6 outputs from one graphics card, on each license.

From a marketing standpoint, ok, v5 erodes revenue per sale enough,

I can see the disincentive for even further discounts on large volumes,

and in the past cost saving was the primary reason to choose a site license.

 

 

[Bernd Schlaefke]

Hello Jonas,

 

thanks for your support. One license dongle we put inside the display server. Makes the handling with different display servers unflexible, but it's a good idea. But the other display server have to be a little one (acer aspire revo) for some little animations (288x192) for led panels. There is no way to put the dongle inside.

 

While googling usb-port server I found some intresting posts:

 

Eltima - USB to Ethernet Connector (Software Solution)

http://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/

This solution can share any local usb port to the ethernet. So you can connect any usb device over the ethernet like a local usb device. As far as the theory.

 

SEH - DongleServer (Hardware Solution)

http://www.dongle-server.com/

 

Has anybody tested one of them?

 

Thanks for your support

Bernd