Technicle Article
IDEA 2002/4 Network - License Manager Issues
The latest release of IDEA, version 2002, has now been available for over a year and this article has been produced with a year's hindsight into the best way to implement the new software and some of the pitfalls that users can come across.
IDEA 2002 Network is the first version of IDEA to have a built-in method to control product licenses (the number of users who can run IDEA at any one time) purchased by an organisation.
This mechanism has a number of advantages for the organisation;-

 

IDEA can be installed to any number of workstations and the IT department can be safe in the knowledge that the limitations in the purchased license cannot be exceeded.
The number of licenses available to an organisation can usually be upgraded automatically without the need for re-installation of hardware or software.
The system allows for access to IDEA to be limited to specific workstations.


How the License Management works
The method of controlling how many users can access IDEA is known as License Management and the system employed with IDEA uses a combination of hardware and software to achieve this aim.
When an organisation purchases IDEA 2002 Network, a pre-programmed hardware “key” (below), also known as a “dongle”, is supplied.
This “key” is contains the information to allow the correct numbers of users to access IDEA and comes in the form of a parallel port plug-in.
The “key” is installed inside a “monitoring computer” using an internal PCI card (below).
The “monitoring computer” is the computer that has the hardware and software installed to control the number of workstations.
A server or a workstation can be used as a “monitoring computer” provided it meets certain conditions which will be outlined later in this article.
The PCI card supplied with the application allows the “key” to be installed inside the computer making it more secure; not likely to get lost or damaged.
Once fitted, the PCI card adds an additional external parallel port to the computer which can be used for a printer or other peripherals.
When IDEA 2002 is started on a workstation, a small sub-program will check in with, or “ping”, the “key“, through the network to see if there are any licenses available
If there are any licenses available IDEA will open, if all licenses are in use an error message will appear and IDEA will not open.
While IDEA is running on the workstation this sub-program periodically contacts the “key” to maintain the allocation of the license.
This network communication can be over one of three protocols, TCP/IP, IPX or NetBIOS depending on the resident operating system/network environment.
Installation
Installation of IDEA 2002 Network is a two part process; first, the License Management hardware and software must be set up on and then IDEA itself can be installed to the workstations. Before installation can begin a computer suitable to the monitoring computer must be found.
Choosing the monitoring computer
The monitoring computer must conform to certain rules if a stable and reliable installation is to be achieved
  1. The "monitoring computer" must constantly be connected to a network accessible to all the workstations that will have IDEA installed.
  2. The "monitoring computer" must be switched on whenever IDEA is likely to be used at a workstation.
  3. The “monitoring computer” must have the License Manager Software running whenever IDEA is likely to be used at a workstation
The most suitable machine for most organisations will be a server or file server, although this option can cause problems if the server needs to be taken off-line for the installation, or if the IT systems are managed by an external organisation.
Alternatively, a workstation can be used as the “monitoring computer” and have IDEA installed locally as well, provided it meets the rules laid out above
Care has to be taken to ensure that a workstation “monitoring computer” will allow users across the network access whenever needed.
For computers using Windows NT, 2000, XP operating systems there is an option to set the License Manager software to run as a “service”, this means that it will run as soon as the computer is booted up rather than being dependant on a user logging on.
Another aspect to consider when selecting the “monitoring computer” is who will be responsible for the m of the licenses.
Included in the License Manager installation is an application allowing the user to view which workstations are currently in contact with the License Manager and therefore running IDEA.
This can be useful when a large number of users may wish to access a small number of licenses.
Specific permission can be given to certain workstations to give them priority access using the workstations IP address.
Most likely this would be part of the IT departments remit but sometimes a senior IDEA user may be better placed to look after this aspect.
Once the “monitoring computer” has been selected installation is quite straightforward.
License Manager - Hardware
Fitting the PCI card to the “monitoring computer” is first step, if necessary, shut-down the computer and remove the case.
The “key” should be supplied already attached to the PCI card but check that it is fitted snugly and that the thumbs screw are tight before slotting the card into a vacant PCI slot within the computer. The case can now be replaced and the computer started up.
License Manager - Software
Once the “monitoring computer” is up and running, insert the IDEA 2002 installation CD.
(Computers using Windows98, 2000, or XP operating systems may “auto-detect” the new hardware and request drivers for it – these can be cancelled as the installation of the software will normally take care of that.)
The CD should run automatically and display a dialog box showing a number of options on the right hand side.
Select "IDEA Setup" from the top of the list, this will start a wizard to guide you through the installation process
Make changes to the install options as prompted as required. When you get to the “Setup Type” dialog, select the “License Management Installation” option.
The set-up wizard will proceed to add the drivers for the PCI card, the software for monitoring the licenses (Aladdin Monitor), the drivers for the “key” itself and the software that actually controls the communications from the workstations (License Manager).
On completion of the installation, the computer may be required to restart, after this check that the License Manager software is running.
This will be indicated by a predominately red icon appearing in the system tray at the bottom right corner of the screen.
IDEA
Installing the IDEA 2002 Network application is just as simple. If the “monitoring computer” is also to have IDEA installed, re-insert the IDEA CD, otherwise, take the CD and insert into the workstation for installation.
(The only recommended method of installing IDEA is direct to a local drive from the CD)
Ensure that all previous versions of IDEA are un-installed before starting, multiple versions of IDEA on the same machine will cause conflicts leading to reduced functionality.
When the CD runs select “IDEA Setup” once again but this time select the “Network Workstation Installation” from the “Setup Type” dialog box.
Again, follow the steps through the wizard and make any necessary changes when prompted.
At the end of the process you will be asked to input the IP address of the “monitoring computer”. If this is known entering can speed up the time it takes IDEA to open, however it is not vital to enter the number as the sub-program will seek out the ”monitoring computer” anyway.
After installation you will be asked to restart the computer, once this is done IDEA will be accessible from the Programs menu.
Problems that may be encountered
The PCI card will not fit inside the computer selected to be the “monitoring computer”!
Some older PCs do not have internal PCI slots, others have a very compact design (a small "footprint" to use the jargon) so there is not enough space for the card to be fitted internally.
Solution – If this problem arises then the “key” can be fitted externally to a free parallel port
The key works as a “through-port” so a parallel cable to a printer or any other peripheral can be plugged into the key if necessary.
Note – the ideal and recommended situation is to have the “key” fitted to the PCI inside the “monitoring computer” out of harm’s way.
If this cannot be achieved and the “key” is lost or damaged, the cost of replacement will include the PCI card.
IDEA will not run and an error message appears
The error messages below will appear because of some kind of communication problem.
They can appear for a number of reasons.
Solutions
First check that the “key” and the PCI card are securely attached within the “monitoring computer”.
Make sure that the License Manager software is running on the “monitoring computer”, the icon should appear in the system tray
Make sure the “monitoring computer” is connected to the network
If the “monitoring computer” is running on the Windows NT4 operating system, then there is a possibility that either no driver has been installed for the PCI card or the wrong drivers have been used.

This is because WinNT4 does not use “auto-hardware-detect” like most of the alternate operating systems. To make sure the correct drivers are in place, insert the IDEA installation CD into the “monitoring computer” once more. This time browse the CD and find the folder called “drivers”. Within this folder find the folder called “NT4”, open this and double click on the item called “ACPCI_INSTALL.EXE”. This will begin a WindowsNT Device Installation dialog, follow the on-screen instructions to install the correct files -
PCIAKS.INF and PCIAKS.SYS

High levels of network traffic and/or background noise on the network can cause communication problems. If this is suspected to be the problem there is a configuration settings file, called “nethasp.ini” that is created in the IDEA folder on the local drive of the workstation. This can be modified to extend the length of time the sub-program searches the network for the “monitoring computer”. Another thing to check may be the condition of the network cabling and connections.
The “nethasp.ini” file can also be used to set the communication protocol to match that used by the network. One of the error messages above will appear if the wrong protocol is being used
If the TCP/IP protocol is used then a specific IP address can be set for the “monitoring computer”. If this is entered in-correctly or the network uses “dynamic” IP addresses (where the IP address frequently change), the specific IP address should be changed or removed completely. Again the “nethasp.ini” file is where this information is stored and where it can edited
Occasionally, if the License Manager software is set up to run as a “service” on the “monitoring computer”, a shut down and re-start of the computer may cause an
interruption in the “service”, i.e. it fails to start automatically when the computer is restarted.
Check in Control Panel… Administrative Tools… Services to view the settings
Future articles will feature more on the License Manager system including the monitoring of the use of IDEA and controlling access.
If you have a specific query on this subject, please email the AuditWare Support Department using the link at the base of this page or call +44(0)1892 701949
 
AuditWare Systems Limited:
The Old Sawmills, Eridge Road, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9JR
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1892 512348 / Fax: + 44 (0) 1892 512342