HP OpenVMS License Management Utility Manual

This manual describes the HP OpenVMS License Management Utility (LMF), a software tool essential for managing software licenses on OpenVMS operating systems. Its primary purpose is to detail how to register and load licenses, enabling the use of various software products.

Key aspects covered include:

• LMF Fundamentals: Introduction to the License Management Facility (LMF), the command-line utility (LICENSE), and the License Database, which stores license information from Product Authorization Keys (PAKs).

• Licensing Models:

  • OpenVMS Alpha and VAX: Licensing is based on "License Units" and "License Unit Requirement Tables (LURT)," with various types of licenses such as Availability, Activity, Personal Use, User, and Group licenses, which can be combined.
  • OpenVMS Integrity Servers: Introduces "Per Core Licenses (PCLs)" (replacing older Per Processor Licenses), based on active processor cores. It also details a tiered "Operating Environment (OE)" model (Base and High Availability OEs) where licenses are bundled. Compliance checking, including hardware and soft compliance, is explained.
  • OpenVMS Guests on Integrity VM: Specifics for virtualized OpenVMS guests, emphasizing PCLs based on host machine cores and the use of a /VIRTUAL qualifier for PCL licenses in clusters, where non-compliant modes are not permitted.
  • OpenVMS Galaxy (Alpha Only): Outlines specific licensing requirements for the operating system, SMP extensions, and Galaxy licenses, noting how these can be managed across multiple license databases for different instances.

• LMF Usage: The manual provides comprehensive guidance on managing licenses, including:

  • Registration: Preparing for and performing license registration using PAKs, either interactively via VMSLICENSE.COM or directly with the LICENSE REGISTER command.
  • Database Management: Locating and managing the License Database, including its history records.
  • Loading and Managing Licenses: Loading licenses into memory (LICENSE LOAD) and post-registration management tasks like restricting product use, controlling node access in clusters, controlling user access with reservation lists, and modifying license attributes (e.g., units, termination dates, selection weights).
  • Troubleshooting: Basic steps for diagnosing licensing problems.

• Command Reference: Detailed syntax and examples for all LICENSE and SHOW LICENSE commands.

The document highlights that while core LMF functions remain consistent, specific licensing practices, unit assignments, and license types differ significantly between Alpha/VAX and Integrity server systems, particularly with the introduction of OEs and PCLs.