TUFLOW Licensing

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:

• Local Licence USB Hardware Lock (USB) Installation Guide
  
• Local Licence USB Software Lock (Digital) Installation Guide
  

• 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:

• Network Licence Hardware Lock (USB) Installation Guide.
  
• Network Licence Software Lock (Digital) Installation Guide.
  

• Cloud Licence: In this form, the licence lock is hosted on a WIBU cloud server. For installation guidance see:

• Cloud Direct Licence Installation Guide: All modelling computers link directly to the WIBU server over an internet connection.
  
• Cloud Server Licence Installation Guide: A company server acts as the licence host, linked to the WIBU server over an internet connection. Modelling computers are connected to the company server via the company’s network.
  

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.

Cloud Direct vs. Cloud Server

Cloud Direct requires container files be imported to all modelling computers. In this form it is recommended that all install activities are completed by an organisation's IT department so container files aren't shared beyond authorised users within the organisation. One limitation of the Cloud Direct option is client licence monitoring ability. No Cloud Direct Wibu tools exist to enable client licence use monitoring. The most common Cloud Direct use is within smaller organisations who do not own network infrastructure to enable a traditional network configuration, or in cloud simulation projects where licences need to be deployed to numerous virtual machines. The Cloud Server offers additional security compared to Cloud Direct. There is only a single connection between a server and the Wibu cloud. As such, container files are not broadly distributed within an organisation. This provides IT departments a greater level of control. Client modelling computers are configured to connect to the server via the organisations network. Client licence use monitoring and/or logging can be enabled on the server to monitor usage.

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