TUFLOW Licensing: Difference between revisions
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==Lock Types==
TUFLOW Products are licenced via locks, available in two forms; WIBU USB-2 Dongles (hardware lock) and WIBU Software
===Current Licence Lock Options:===
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==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 vs. Software ===
The advantage of a hardware 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. This also means that if the computer changes substantially, the lock may become invalid and may need replacement.
This is especially relevant if you install the lock on a virtual machine (VM), since migrating the VM or rebuilding it can cause the lock to become invalid. Specifically, if you run a VM in the cloud as a licence server, you need to keep in mind that stopping and starting the VM is safe. But only retaining the physical storage and basing a new VM on it will invalidate the licence.
The advantage of a software lock is that it can be installed on a computer that you don't have physical access to, and doesn't require a free USB port. This makes software locks well-suited to installation on VMs, or remote computers.
=== 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 manage all your locks in a single place (called the CodeMeter Network Server), and that licences can very easily be accessed from multiple computers on your network. However, this does mean that each additional computer that needs to be able to run TUFLOW will also need CodeMeter installed. These extra instances of CodeMeter need to be configured to find the Network Server. And these computers need to be able to access the Network Server over port 22350, which may require some cooperation of your IT staff to configure.
=== Cloud vs. non-Cloud ===
The advantage of a cloud licence is that you can install it 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, which would make using a Network Licence on a Network Server on your network impossible, while Local Software Licences would not be reusable.
A disadvantage of a cloud licence can be the requirement that the computer it is installed on has https (web) internet access to `wibu.cloud`. Using a Local Cloud Licence also means that you need to distribute your licence to many locations, which may be a security concern.
Since Cloud Licences can be provided as either Local Cloud or Network Cloud licences, you can have the benefits of both combined: a Cloud Network Licence would allow you to licence computers not connected to your local network, while not requiring https access to wibu.cloud for each machine running TUFLOW. Instead you can organise network connections from the computers running TUFLOW to the Cloud Network Licence server, while the entire network can be independent of your local network. This makes the Cloud Licence ideal for use in situations where you want to create your own cloud infrastructure for running TUFLOW.{{Tips Navigation
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