1. Introduction

  2.  Welcome
  3.  License manager basics
  4. Getting Started

  5.  ArcGIS License Manager system requirements
  6.  Supported software products
  7.  License manager installation and startup
  8.  Client machine setup using the ArcGIS Administrator
  9.  Existing users
  10. Administering the License Manager

  11.  Using the ArcGIS License Server Administrator
  12.  Starting and stopping the License Manager
  13.  Checking the license server status
  14.  Configuring license borrowing
  15.  Viewing the audit log
  16.  Viewing license availability
  17.  Authorizing additional features
  18.  Diagnosing errors
  19. ArcGIS License Manager with ArcGIS Enterprise

  20.  Introduction to ArcGIS License Manager with ArcGIS Enterprise Portal
  21.  Configure License Manager for use with ArcGIS Enterprise Portal
  22.  Useful information and best practices
  23. Advanced Topics

  24.  Automatically starting the License Manager
  25.  Defining port@host to one or more license servers
  26.  Backup license servers
  27.  Configure ArcGIS License Manager to work through a firewall
    1. The Options File

    2.  Using the Options file
    3.  ACTIVATION_EXPIRY_DAYS
    4.  DEBUGLOG
    5.  EXCLUDE
    6.  EXCLUDE_ENTITLEMENT
    7.  EXCLUDEALL
    8.  GROUP
    9.  GROUPCASEINSENSITIVE
    10.  HOST_GROUP
    11.  INCLUDE
    12.  INCLUDE_ENTITLEMENT
    13.  INCLUDEALL
    14.  MAX
    15.  NOLOG
    16.  RESERVE
    17.  Feature names for ArcGIS Option file
  28.  Transferring licenses from one License Manager to another
  29.  Using the license manager on Windows Terminal Server/Citrix
  30.  Enterprise deployment of the ArcGIS Desktop or ArcGIS Engine licenses
  31.  Provisioning files
  32.  Silent authorization commands
  33. Troubleshooting

  34.  Incorrect clock setting
  35.  Cannot connect to the License Manager
  36. Glossary

  37.  ArcGIS Administrator
  38.  ArcGIS License Manager
  39.  authorization
  40.  borrow
  41.  Concurrent use
  42.  daemon
  43.  debug log file
  44.  feature
  45.  license
  46.  License Manager
  47.  license server
  48.  named user
  49.  ArcGIS Enterprise Portal
  50.  provisioning file
  51.  Return
  52.  simultaneous session
  53.  Single use
  54.  Software Authorization Wizard

Client machine setup using the ArcGIS Administrator

The ArcGIS Administrator utility is installed with the ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Engine, and ArcGIS Engine Developer Kit software, and in the case of ArcGIS Desktop is launched after installation. For ArcGIS CityEngine software, the CityEngine Administrator is installed, which is also launched after installation.

ArcGIS Pro concurrent use, and ArcGIS Pro or Premium App named user (via ArcGIS Enterprise) client machines are configured for use when starting the applicable application. For details on getting started with ArcGIS Pro client machines, please refer to the Set up topic of the ArcGIS Pro help documentation. For Premium Apps, please refer to the relevant user documentation for the applicable product.

The ArcGIS or CityEngine Administrator (from herein referred to only as ArcGIS Administrator) can be accessed at a later time, by launching from Start > Programs > ArcGIS > ArcGIS Administrator. On Linux, ArcGIS Administrator can be launched from the product installation location using the following command, for example:

[installation path]/arcgis/engine10.8/authorizeSoftware

ArcGIS Administrator allows you to define both the concurrent use and single use environments. This help document only provides information regarding the concurrent use case. For setting up the single use environment, consult the ArcGIS Administrator Help, which can be accessed from the ArcGIS Administrator Help button.

ArcGIS Administrator allows you to do the following:

Select a language

  1. Launch ArcGIS Administrator.
  2. Click the top node labeled ARCGIS in the table of contents.
  3. Press the Advanced button
  4. Choose the desired display language and press Save.
  5. Click Apply to set your changes without closing ArcGIS Administrator, or click OK to apply changes and close ArcGIS Administrator.

Select a product and define a license manager

  1. Launch ArcGIS Administrator and select the desired product folder (Desktop, Engine, or CityEngine).
  2. Click the button next to the concurrent use product you want to use.
  3. Click Change, enter the name of your license manager, then click OK. The name of the license manager is the host name of the machine where the license manager is installed.
  4. Click OK on the Change dialog box.
  5. Click Apply to set your changes without closing ArcGIS Administrator, or click OK to apply changes and close ArcGIS Administrator.

View license availability

  1. Launch ArcGIS Administrator and select the desired product folder (Desktop, Engine, or CityEngine).
  2. Choose the desired concurrent use product.
  3. Choose Availability to view licenses available on the license manager selected in the product folder. The license expiration date is also provided.

Borrow licenses

NoteNote:

The default borrowing time-out value is 30 days. To modify this value, see Configuring license borrowing in the "Administering the license manager" section.

  1. Launch ArcGIS Administrator and select the desired product folder (Desktop, Engine, or CityEngine) for which you want to borrow licenses.
  2. For ArcGIS Desktop, choose the concurrent use license level you want to borrow—Advanced, Standard, or Basic—or choose ArcGIS Engine (Concurrent Use) from the Engine product folder. For CityEngine, choose Advanced Concurrent Use. Ensure that the license manager has been defined.
  3. Choose the Borrow/Return folder.
  4. Check the boxes of the features you want to borrow and click Apply.
  5. After the licenses have been borrowed, click OK to close ArcGIS Administrator. You can now use your ArcGIS software while off the network.

Return borrowed license

NoteNote:

To return licenses manually, you first need to connect to your network.

  1. Launch ArcGIS Administrator and ensure that you have the same product and license manager set in the product folder.
  2. Choose the Borrow/Return folder.
  3. Uncheck the boxes next to the features you want to return and click Apply.
  4. Click OK to close ArcGIS Administrator.

NoteNote:

Borrowing concurrent use licenses does not apply to ArcGIS Pro using concurrent use and named user entitlements, or Premium App software using named user entitlements. ArcGIS Pro software using concurrent use and named user entitlements can be run offline from the backstage area of Pro, and in the case of named user only if an administrator has configured the specified named user to have this permission. More information can be found in the ArcGIS Pro help documentation. For Premium Apps, please refer to the relevant user documentation for the applicable product.