Difference between revisions of "TUFLOW Licensing"

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=Introduction=
 
=Introduction=
A TUFLOW dongle or TUFLOW software licence is required to run TUFLOW, but is not required when using third party software such as a GIS, text editor or SMS.
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A TUFLOW licence is required to run TUFLOW, except when running TUFLOW demo, tutorial or example models in licence free mode.<br>
As of 2010, two brands of dongles are available from BMT, and several third-party dongles are supported that are licensed and maintained by on-sellers of TUFLOW.  For the latter, please refer to the vendor’s documentation for setting up the dongle. <br>
 
<br>
 
BMT licences are either:<br>
 
* <u>[[Wibu_Dongles | WIBU (metal) Dongles / WIBU Software Licences]]</u>; or
 
* <u>[[Softlok_Dongles | Softlok (blue) Dongles]]</u>
 
  
==WIBU Dongles / WIBU Software Licences==
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== Licence Hosting Options==
'''WIBU dongles''' were introduced in 2010 and support 64-bit platforms. Two licence types are available, local and network:
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TUFLOW offers a variety of licence hosting approaches. Instructions are provided below for all available methods:
* With local licence dongle TUFLOW simulations can only be run on the computer hosting the dongle.
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* '''Licence Free Mode''': A licence free mode has been built into TUFLOW. For information outlining the limits associated with the licence free mode, see <u>[[New_User_Guide_Free_Demo_Version | TUFLOW Free DEMO Version Guide]]</u>
* With network licence dongle the computer or server that the dongle is plugged into becomes the licence host and any computer within the organisation can pull licences from the licence host over the network.
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* '''Local Licence''': In this form, TUFLOW simulations can only be run on the computer hosting the licence lock. For installation guidance see:
'''WIBU software licence''' is recognised by the 2016-03-AE release onwards and provided in a form of a digital file. The computer or server where the software licence is installed on becomes the licence host from which any computer within the  organisation can pull licences from. The software licence is more restrictive compared to the network licence dongle in that it is locked to a single computer.<br>
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<ol>
<br>
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* <u>[[New_User_Guide_Local_Hardware_Licences | Local Licence USB Hardware Lock (USB) Installation Guide]]</u><br>
WIBU dongles (and WIBU software licences) have several advantages over the Softlok dongles: <br>
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* <u>[[New_User_Guide_Local_Software_Licences | Local Licence USB Software Lock (Digital) Installation Guide]]</u><br>
* Support for 64-bit platforms and future options for non-Windows platforms;
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</ol>
* Network licence manager runs as a service (ie. the computer with the network dongle needs to be on, but no one needs to be logged in);
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* '''Network Licence''': In this form, the licence lock can be hosted on any computer or server. Other computers utilise available licences from the host computer via a company’s network. For installation guidance see:
* Much more flexible licensing options (for example, it is now possible to have a Network 10 TUFLOW licence with a Network 5 Multiple 2D Domains Module licence – with the SoftLok dongles a Network 10 Multiple 2D Domains Module would have to have been purchased);
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<ol>
* Multiple WIBU dongles (local and/or network licensed) are accessible together (ie. if all licences from one dongle are taken, licences from other dongles are automatically checked and taken);
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* <u>[[New_User_Guide_Network_Hardware_Licences | Network Licence Hardware Lock (USB) Installation Guide]]</u>.<br>
* No network ghost licences (thus far!); and
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* <u>[[New_User_Guide_Network_Software_Licences | Network Licence Software Lock (Digital) Installation Guide]]</u>.<br>
* No need for TUFLOW to control limiting of local licences (TUFLOW’s run key is not used if the number of CPUs/cores exceeds the local licence limit).<br>
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</ol>
<br>
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* '''Cloud Licence''': In this form, the licence lock is hosted on a WIBU cloud server. Other computers utilise licences from the host server over an internet connection.  For installation guidance see:
'''Note, for the 2009-07, 2008-08, 2007-07 and 2006-06 releases, the “DB” builds or later will need to be used to recognise a WIBU Codemeter dongle.'''<br>
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<ol>
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* <u>[[New_User_Guide_Cloud_Licences | Cloud Licence Installation Guide]]</u>. <br>
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</ol>
  
== Softlok Dongles ==
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Refer to the <u>[[Wibu_Dongles |WIBU Lock Guidance]]</u> for further information how to install, update and manage TUFLOW licences for all of the available licence hosting approaches.<br><br>
Softlok dongles are no longer issued as of August 2010 as they are unable to provide 64-bit support, however the dongles continue to be supported for 32-bit versions of TUFLOW. Softlok dongles may be exchanged for a WIBU dongle for a nominal fee, please contact [mailto:sales@tuflow.com sales@tuflow.com].
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''Note Legacy Licence Type (Softlok Dongle): As of August 2010, Softlok USB dongles are no longer issued or supported due to the dongle provider not supporting 64-bit. For TUFLOW release versions 2009-07, 2008-08, 2007-07 and 2006-06, the “DB” build or later will need to be used to function with a WIBU Codemeter dongle hardware lock. Also, upgrade to release version 2016-03-AF or newer is required if WIBU Software or Cloud locks are being used for the licencing.''
  
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=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) =
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==How many simulations can be run at the same time?==
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The number of licences reflect how many TUFLOW simulations can be run in parallel at any given time. For example, a Local 4 can run 4 simulations at the same time on the one computer. A Network 5 allows up to 5 simulations at any one time across an organisation’s network. If all licences are in use when a TUFLOW simulation starts, the simulation enters a holding pattern until a free licence is available.
  
=Fequently Asked Questions (FAQ) =
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== What is the best licence for me? ==
== Do I require a TUFLOW licence to create TUFLOW inputs and view results from a TUFLOW simulation? ==
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No, a TUFLOW licence is only needed to run simulations (excluding tutorial, demo and example models or small models eligible for free mode). Running TUFLOW.exe is required to:
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=== Hardware (USB) vs. Software (Digital File) ===
* Process control files (.tcf, etc), check the data inputs and to construct the model using the GIS layers and other inputs. As part of this process any ERROR, WARNING or CHECK messages are issued to help resolve input data conflicts. Check files and GIS layers representing the final model construct are also produced to quality control the model’s inputs.
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The advantage of a hardware (USB) lock is that it is portable and not tied to a specific computer. You can unplug it and plug it into another computer.<br>
* To carry out the hydraulic computations provided the Step 1 above produces no ERROR messages.
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A software lock is tied to a specific computer and cannot be moved once bound to that computer. The advantage of a software lock however is that it can be installed on a computer that you don't have physical access to, and it doesn't require a free USB port.
No licence is needed for all other tasks, including:
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* Creation and editing of all input files and GIS layers.
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=== Local vs. Network ===
* Running GIS plugins such as the QGIS TUFLOW Viewer.
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The advantage of a local lock is that you only need CodeMeter installed on the computer that will be running your TUFLOW software, and the required configuration will be minimal. No network access beyond this computer is required. The lock is either installed directly on this local CodeMeter, as a software lock, or CodeMeter will pick up an inserted hardware lock automatically.
* Running utilities (e.g. asc_to_asc.exe).
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* Reviewing check files/layers in GIS.
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The advantage of a network lock is that you can host multiple licences in a single place (called the CodeMeter Network Server). Licences are shared to client (modelling) computers from the server over your network. To function, these computers need to be able to access the Network Server over port 22350, which may require some co-operation of your IT staff to configure.
* Viewing results (e.g. using TUFLOW Viewer in QGIS).
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All TUFLOW inputs and outputs use free open formats that are readable and editable by third party software, for example QGIS and Notepad++:
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=== Cloud vs. non-Cloud ===
* Download Notepad++ to create and review tabular data: <u>[[NotepadPlusPlus_Tips | Notepad++ installation and tips]]</u>.
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The advantage of a Cloud licence is that you can set it up on as many machines as you like, and reuse it on future machines, for as long as the licence is valid. This gives you a similar advantage to using a Network Licence, without the complexity of network connectivity. Another benefit of this is that you can put the licence on computers that are not connected to your local network. A potential disadvantage of a Cloud licence can be the requirement that the computer it is installed on has https (web) internet access to `wibu.cloud`. It is worth noting that currently the monitoring of Cloud licence usage is not as mature as the monitoring of network licences.
* Download QGIS: <u>[[QGIS_Tips | QGIS installation and tips]]</u>.
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* To review maximum ASC/FLT grids just drag and drop them into QGIS.
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{{Tips Navigation
* Install the TUFLOW Plugin: <u>[[TUFLOW_QGIS_Plugin | TUFLOW QGIS plugin installation and tips]]</u>.
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|uplink=[[Main_Page| TUFLOW Main Page]]
* Use TUFLOW Viewer to review XMDF results: <u>[[TUFLOW_Viewer |TUFLOW Viewer]]</u>. <br>
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}}

Latest revision as of 00:28, 25 July 2024

Introduction

A TUFLOW licence is required to run TUFLOW, except when running TUFLOW demo, tutorial or example models in licence free mode.

Licence Hosting Options

TUFLOW offers a variety of licence hosting approaches. Instructions are provided below for all available methods:

  • Licence Free Mode: A licence free mode has been built into TUFLOW. For information outlining the limits associated with the licence free mode, see TUFLOW Free DEMO Version Guide
  • Local Licence: In this form, TUFLOW simulations can only be run on the computer hosting the licence lock. For installation guidance see:
  • Network Licence: In this form, the licence lock can be hosted on any computer or server. Other computers utilise available licences from the host computer via a company’s network. For installation guidance see:
  • Cloud Licence: In this form, the licence lock is hosted on a WIBU cloud server. Other computers utilise licences from the host server over an internet connection. For installation guidance see:

Refer to the WIBU Lock Guidance for further information how to install, update and manage TUFLOW licences for all of the available licence hosting approaches.

Note Legacy Licence Type (Softlok Dongle): As of August 2010, Softlok USB dongles are no longer issued or supported due to the dongle provider not supporting 64-bit. For TUFLOW release versions 2009-07, 2008-08, 2007-07 and 2006-06, the “DB” build or later will need to be used to function with a WIBU Codemeter dongle hardware lock. Also, upgrade to release version 2016-03-AF or newer is required if WIBU Software or Cloud locks are being used for the licencing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How many simulations can be run at the same time?

The number of licences reflect how many TUFLOW simulations can be run in parallel at any given time. For example, a Local 4 can run 4 simulations at the same time on the one computer. A Network 5 allows up to 5 simulations at any one time across an organisation’s network. If all licences are in use when a TUFLOW simulation starts, the simulation enters a holding pattern until a free licence is available.

What is the best licence for me?

Hardware (USB) vs. Software (Digital File)

The advantage of a hardware (USB) lock is that it is portable and not tied to a specific computer. You can unplug it and plug it into another computer.
A software lock is tied to a specific computer and cannot be moved once bound to that computer. The advantage of a software lock however is that it can be installed on a computer that you don't have physical access to, and it doesn't require a free USB port.

Local vs. Network

The advantage of a local lock is that you only need CodeMeter installed on the computer that will be running your TUFLOW software, and the required configuration will be minimal. No network access beyond this computer is required. The lock is either installed directly on this local CodeMeter, as a software lock, or CodeMeter will pick up an inserted hardware lock automatically.

The advantage of a network lock is that you can host multiple licences in a single place (called the CodeMeter Network Server). Licences are shared to client (modelling) computers from the server over your network. To function, these computers need to be able to access the Network Server over port 22350, which may require some co-operation of your IT staff to configure.

Cloud vs. non-Cloud

The advantage of a Cloud licence is that you can set it up on as many machines as you like, and reuse it on future machines, for as long as the licence is valid. This gives you a similar advantage to using a Network Licence, without the complexity of network connectivity. Another benefit of this is that you can put the licence on computers that are not connected to your local network. A potential disadvantage of a Cloud licence can be the requirement that the computer it is installed on has https (web) internet access to `wibu.cloud`. It is worth noting that currently the monitoring of Cloud licence usage is not as mature as the monitoring of network licences.

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