FlexNet

FLEXnet, also known as FlexNet Publisher, is a software licensing management system produced by Flexera Software. It is used by software publishers to control and monitor how their products are licensed and deployed across networks, workstations, or cloud environments. FLEXnet supports both floating (networked) licenses and node-locked (per-seat) licenses, enabling centralized license administration and enforcement.

The licensing architecture revolves around a license server managed by a host process (lmgrd) and a vendor daemon that represents the publisher’s license code. Software clients contact the vendor daemon to request a license token. If a license is available, the request is granted; otherwise, access may be delayed or denied according to the license file. License information is defined in a license file (.lic) that specifies feature names, quantities, expiration dates, and restrictions. Common tools such as lmutil and lmstat are used to install, start, stop, and monitor license usage and server status. FLEXnet supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, UNIX, and macOS, and can be integrated into applications via an API or vendor-specific extensions.

FLEXnet is widely adopted in industries with complex software suites, such as CAD, engineering analysis, and simulation tools. Features often include license borrowing for offline use, grace periods, and usage metering to help publishers and organizations manage budgets. Security considerations involve protected license files, secure communications, and configurable port and daemon isolation. Over time, FLEXnet has expanded to address virtualization, cloud, and hybrid deployment models, maintaining interoperability with diverse licensing scenarios.