Tru64 UNIX Software License Management

This document is a guide for system managers on how to use the License Management Facility (LMF) to manage software licenses on an HP Tru64 UNIX system (formerly DIGITAL UNIX), specifically for Version 5.0 or higher.

Key Concepts and Components:

1. Purpose of LMF: It's a set of software tools designed to help manage software licenses and verify that product usage complies with license agreements.
2. Product Authorization Key (PAK): A crucial element containing all essential license information (e.g., product name, version, number of license units, expiration date, type of license). PAKs are proof of purchase and must be registered.
3. License Types:
   • Availability Licenses (Capacity Licenses): Allow unlimited users on a specified processor once the license is loaded. The number of license units required depends on the hardware model.
   • Activity Licenses (Per-User Licenses): Limit the number of simultaneous users. The number of license units determines how many concurrent users can access the product, also dependent on hardware.
4. License Unit Requirement Tables (LURTs): Internal tables that define the number of license units required for products to run on various hardware system models.
5. License Database: Stores all registered license information.
6. Kernel Cache: Where active license details are loaded for real-time license checking.
7. lmf Utility: The primary command-line tool for system managers to interact with LMF.

LMF Operations and Tasks:

System managers, typically with superuser (root) privileges, use the lmf utility to:

• Register Licenses: Enter PAK information into the license database.
• Load Licenses: Copy license details from the database into the kernel cache, making them available for product use.
• Unload Licenses: Remove license units from the kernel cache to restrict product access.
• Manage License States: Disable (prevent loading into kernel cache) or enable licenses.
• Issue Licenses: Reconstruct a PAK from database data, often used to move licenses between systems.
• Cancel/Delete Licenses: Terminate licenses earlier than their expiration date or remove expired licenses from the database.
• Update Licenses: Modify existing license information (e.g., increase license units if the PAK has the MOD_UNITS option) or amend with Product Authorization Amendments (PAAMs).
• Combine Licenses: Merge two or more licenses for the same product to form a single, larger license (if compatible).
• Display Information: List details about registered and active licensed products.
• Review Activities: Access a history file of all LMF operations performed.
• Manage CPUs: Adjust license unit requirements based on changes to the number of active CPUs on the system.

The document emphasizes that while LMF helps enforce license terms, the organization is ultimately responsible for ensuring full compliance with their software license agreements.