Specifying Floating License Server Ports

This topic explains how to specify ports used by the floating license server. By default, communication between the floating license server and a client running FME occurs on a random port. Specifying ports can be useful in specific security configurations. For example, if you have a firewall between your floating license server and a client machine running FME, you may want to open a specific port for this communication. Or, you may wish to avoid conflict when multiple FlexNet servers are installed in the same environment. For example, FME may use a random port, but ArcGIS may use a fixed port, and a conflict will occur if the same port is in use.

To specify Floating License Server Ports

Edit the safe.lic file in your FlexServer directory so that yyyy on the VENDOR line is the port you want to open for the communication to the client machine running FME. The port in the SERVER line (xxxx) can also be set, but this is necessary only for a three-server redundant configuration, or if another FlexNet license server is using a specific port.

SERVER servername 000c290de0df xxxx

VENDOR safe PORT=yyyy

The port number for the SERVER and the VENDOR must be different. On Windows, the VENDOR port is typically between 1024 and 65535. On Linux, the default VENDOR port is between 32768 and 61000. The SERVER port is typically between 27000 and 27009. Be sure to add the VENDOR port and SERVER port to your firewall exceptions.

If the VENDOR port is specified, the FME running on the client machine must specify this port as well. Using the FME Licensing Assistant, specify the port number when prompted to "Connect to a Floating License Server," as shown below:

LicenseServerName:xxxx

where xxxx is the port number used in the SERVER line of the safe.lic file.

In earlier releases of FME, the fme_license.dat file in the <FMEDir>\licenses\ directory must be edited manually. It should contain the following line:

SERVER LicenseServerName Any xxxx

where xxxx is the port number used in the SERVER line of the safe.lic file.

Finally, restart the FME License Server:

  • Windows: Start Menu > FlexNet for Safe Software> Start - Restart FME License Server
  • Linux: % <FlexServerDir>/lmgrd -c <FLEXServerDir>/safe.lic