The ArcGIS License Manager requires the license file information be appropriate for the system and match the information sent from the ESRI Keycode Department.

1. The license files for ArcGIS are located in C:\Program Files\ESRI\License and end with a ".lic" file extension. The Arcinfo.lic file looks similar to this:

   SERVER server1 ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY=37123456 27005
   VENDOR ESRI
   FEATURE ARC/INFO ESRI 8.01 01-jan-00 1 3BFE602241F669DB9349 \
   vendor_info="8DCZFL5B5R6D6RH8L023" ck=15

2. The second entry on the SERVER line is the hostname of your computer. Make sure the hostname entry matches the actual hostname of the system (see Step 1). The hostname entry is not tied to your keycode, and may be changed as long as it matched the hostname of the system that will be running the license manager.
3. The third entry on the SERVER line is the Sentinel Key number. This number should match the number returned by running Start > Programs > ArcGIS > License Manager > Display Hardware Key Status. Occasionally, the number printed on the Sentinel Key does not match the number returned by checking 'Display Hardware Key Status'. In this case, use the number returned by 'Display Hardware Key Status' to request new licenses.

   Notice this number always starts with a '3'. If your e-mail tool is Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft Word as the e-mail editor, all instances of '=3' will be stripped from your license file(s) as '=3' is a special Microsoft Word programming code. In such case, edit the license file(s) to restore the '=3'.

4. The last item on each FEATURE line is the checksum number, and the checksum number can also be stripped of a '=3'. The entry should contain 'ck=' followed by a number. If the equal sign is missing, the number three will also be missing. In such case, edit the license file(s) to restore the '=3' in the checksum number.

Error Message
The following error occurs when attempting to start ArcInfo:

FLEXlm Error: The desired vendor daemon is down
1) Check the lmgrd log file, or 2) Try lmreread
Feature: ARC/INFO
Vendor:Host: ESRI : server1
License path: @server1;@server1;d:\arcexe80\sysgen -
\license.dat
FLEXlm error: -97,380. System Error: 10061 ""
For further information, refer to the FLEXlm End User Manual,
available at "www.globetrotter.com".
Program not run.

Cause
ArcInfo will not start until it is able to connect to and checkout a license from a license server.

Solution or Workaround
These solutions are listed from the most common to the least common:

• Make sure the Sentinel Key (Hardware Dongle) is attached and responding correctly.
• Make sure you are using the latest License Manager. You may need to reinstall the License Manger to solve the error.
• Make sure the information in the License File is accurate.

Yes it does. (ver. 8.3)

When attempting to start ArcGIS, the license manager returns the following error:

"FLEXlm Error: Cannot read data from license server
The license server process appears to be running, but is not responding.
If this persists, notify the System Administrator.
(The lmgrd and vendor daemon processes should be terminated and
restarted.)
Feature: ARC/INFO
Hostname: <computer>
License path:
27005@<computer>;@<computer>;c:\arcexe80\sysgen\license.dat
FLEXlm error: -16,287"

The license manager cannot read data from the ESRI daemon within the timeout interval.

Solution or Workaround
Below is a list of possible solutions arranged by most to least common.

WARNING: The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.

ESRI cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions. Therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

• Check that the key TcpMaxConnectRetransmissions was created in the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters.
  Ensure that the value is 0. Also check that it was created in the folder 'Parameters' not 'Parameter'.
• If TcpMaxConnectRetransmissions does not exist in 'Parameters', create it as a new DWORD value. The location will be HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters. Set the value to 0.
1. Release the lockESRI file.
2. Click Start > Programs > ArcGIS > License Manager > License Manager Tools.
3. Select the Configuration using Services radio button.
4. Highlight ESRI License Manager if it is not highlighted already.
5. Click the Start/Stop/Reread tab.
6. Click the Stop Server button. The message will display 'Server Stopping' and will not change.
7. Minimize the LMTOOLS screen.
8. Browse to C:\flexlm.
9. Delete the contents of C:\flexlm.
10. Restore LMTOOLS and click the Start Server button. The message will displays 'Starting Server' and will not change.

Instructions provided are the steps necessary to setup a backup or failover license manager server in an environment where there are multiple license manager servers.

This functionality is possible only with ArcGIS 8.1.2 and above. With previous versions, the steps below can only be used for ArcInfo Workstation; the Desktop products will not work. An error will occur; "All ArcInfo licenses are in use," when trying to use the backup/failover License Manager.

ArcGIS 9 software will only work with an ArcGIS 9 License Manager. ArcGIS 8.x software will only work with an ESRI 8 License Manager

The following is a mock scenario to illustrate the concept.

Relevant machines (Hostname and operating system):

"2000" - Windows 2000
"XP" - Windows XP (This machine is acting as a license manager server)
"UNIX" - UNIX (This machine is acting as a license manager server)
Machines "XP" and "2000" are pointed to the license manager hosted on "XP". Machine "UNIX" uses the local license manager it has installed.

Objective
XP and 2000 are to first check XP for a free license. If all licenses on XP are in use, the machines should then "failover" to the license manager on UNIX.

Set the following system environment variable on both XP and 2000.

For ArcGIS 8.x:
Variable Name: ESRI_LICENSE_FILE
Variable Value: @XP;@UNIX

For ArcGIS 9.0:
Variable Name: ARCGIS_LICENSE_FILE
Variable Value: @XP;@UNIX

An extension license must come from the same license manager server as the primary license.

This article will assist troubleshooting license manager problems after returning from the hibernate power state.

Cause
While in hibernation the parallel port is powered down. Upon return from hibernation, the license manager daemon is unable to call the hardware key if the parallel port is slow to power back up.

Solution or Workaround
Disable the license manager's timeout for accessing the hardware key by setting the acquisition timeout to -1.

No. Extensions must have the same type of licensing as the core product.
For example:

Extension single use licenses are used with a single use installation of ArcEditor and ArcView.

Extension concurrent use licenses are used with a concurrent use installation of ArcInfo, ArcEditor, and ArcView.

No. The license for the core product, ArcInfo, ArcEditor, or ArcView, and the extensions must checked out from the same license server

Yes, there have been many changes to ArcGIS Product Licensing, including the License Mangager for ArcGIS 9.0. For existing ArcGIS Desktop and ArcInfo Workstation users upgrading from 8.x or a previous version, this document provides an overview of some of those changes. For more detailed information, refer to the License Manager Reference Guide found in the documentation folder on the product CD.

ArcSDE and ArcIMS 9.0 now require registration, therefore they do not use the FLEXlm License Manager. See the specific product install guide for more information.
Changes

Vendor Daemon
With the release of 9.0, a new vendor daemon has been created. The previous daemon, ESRI, has been replaced by ARCGIS. This change in name has caused a change in the service name, from ESRI License Manager to ArcGIS License Manager.

Port Number
The default port number now specifed in the license file is 27004. Previous versions used TCP port 27005 as the default port.

License File Variable
The change in the vendor daemon and default port number have caused the license file variable to be changed to ARCGIS_LICENSE_FILE <port>@<host>.

What does this mean to you?
A new license file must be obtained and the new License Manager must be installed. ArcGIS 9.0 requires an ArcGIS 9 License Manager. Existing 8.x or previous versions of the License Manager cannot be used to license the 9.0 software. Also, ArcGIS 8.x or previous software cannot connect to an ArcGIS 9 License Manager and license file, so separate versions of the License Manager need to be maintained if the intent to use different versions of the software exists.

Both an 8.x and 9.0 version of the License Manager can be installed on the same computer.

Prior to installing ArcGIS Desktop or ArcInfo Workstation 9.0, contact ESRI Customer Service and obtain a new 9.0 license file. This license file contains the new version number (9.0), the new vendor daemon (ARCGIS), and the new default port number (27004).

Windows Users
A new license file can be requested using an existing hardware key number from an existing 8.x, or previous, License Manager server or a new hardware key and hardware key number can be used. Two hardware keys cannot be used on one License Manager server.

Sample Windows license file:

SERVER hostname ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY=37123456 27004
VENDOR ARCGIS
FEATURE ARC/INFO ARCGIS 9.0 01-jan-00 1 ACX0B541E83R8AC0AFP9
vendor_info="H86SSCS74RYE2J25FR6N" ck=153

UNIX Users
If the intent to administer both licenses from the same machine exists, request a new license file using the same hostid and hostname found in the existing license.dat file. Be certain to install the 9.0 software to a distinct directory, separate from previous installations of ArcInfo. Once the install is complete, copy the new license.dat into the appropriate 9.0 $ARCHOME/sysgen directory.

Sample UNIX license file:

SERVER hostname 123a4b5c 27004
VENDOR ARCGIS
FEATURE ARC/INFO ARCGIS 9.0 01-jan-00 1 ACX0B541E83R8AC0AFP9
vendor_info="H86SSCS74RYE2J25FR6N" ck=153

No. The License Manager for ArcGIS 9.0 has had a number of changes made and those changes are not compatiable with previous versions of ESRI software. ArcGIS Desktop and ArcInfo Workstation 9.0 must connect with an ArcGIS 9 License Manager.

ArcGIS 8.x will not work with an ArcGIS 9 License Manager. ArcGIS 8.x will continue to use the same ESRI License Manager version as in the past.

For more information on installing both versions of the License Manager on the same machine, see the Related Information section below.

Yes, the 9.0 and 8.x versions of the License Manager can be installed on the same machine.

Windows Users
A 9.0 license file can be created using an existing hardware key number from an 8.x or previous License Manager server. Once the 9.0 license file is obtained, install the ArcGIS 9 License Manager on the same machine hosting the 8.x License Manager, making sure to use the same hardware key for both. Two hardware keys cannot be used on the same server.

UNIX Users
A 9.0 license file can be created for an existing hostid and hostname if a user intends to administer both the 9.0 and 8.x License Manager on the same machine. The 9.0 and 8.x software must be installed to different directories and each sysgen directory should have only the proper version of the license file.

Requirements
Use the following article to install the 9.0 ArcGIS License Manager on a Windows machine that is already hosting an 8.x ESRI License Manager. Before the installation of ArcGIS 9.0, verify that version 8.x of the ESRI License Manager has been installed and configured. If not, see the License Manager Reference Guide on the ArcInfo Workstation 8.x CD for more information.

Multiple versions of ArcGIS Desktop and ArcInfo Workstation cannot be installed on the same machine. The information in this article refers only to the License Manager used by these applications.

Before Beginning
Installation of the 9.0 ArcGIS License Manager is required. Simply adding the 9.0 license file to your existing 8.x license file or using the 8.x License Manager Update License Tool will not work. Obtain a 9.0 license file from ESRI Customer Service for the 9.0 version of the License Manager.

If the 9.0 ArcGIS License Manager and the 8.x ESRI License Manager will be installed on the same machine, they must use the same hardware key. You cannot use two hardware keys on one machine.

The two vendor daemons cannot use the same port. By default, the 9.0 ARCGIS daemon is set to 27004 and the 8.x ESRI daemon is set to 27005.

Procedure
If the machine on which you are installing the ArcGIS 9.0 License Manager is already hosting your 8.x or previous License Manager, use the steps below.

1. Acquire the existing hardware key number by navigating to Start > Programs > ArcGIS > License Manager > Display Hardware Key Status.
2. With the hardware key number, visit the ESRI Customer Service web site to obtain a 9.0 license file. Once it is e-mailed to you, save it to disk. Users outside the U.S., please contact your local ESRI distributor to obtain a new license file.
3. Run the ArcGIS 9.0 License Manager installation using either LMSetup.exe on the Desktop disk or LicenseManager.exe on the Workstation disk. Both can be found in the \License folder on the respective CD.
4. Once the installation is complete, reboot the machine.
5. From each of the ArcGIS 9.0 client machines that are to access this License Manager navigate to Start > Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator > License Manager and enter the hostname of the machine where the ArcGIS License Manager is installed. The ArcGIS 9.0 software will recognize the appropriate License Manager.

Instructions provided describe how to configure Windows XP's Internet Connection Firewall to work with the license manager. With the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft has enabled it's Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) by default. ICF restricts access to ports necessary for communication between ArcGIS and the license manager. Instructions provided here detail the steps to reopen the correct ports and allow ArcGIS to communicate with the license manager.

An alternative to this procedure would be to disable the ICF completely. Consult your IT personnel before doing so.

Procedure
Machines running ArcGIS and Windows XP SP2 with ICF enabled, including the License Manager server, must run these steps while logged into the computer with administrative privileges. If the user account does not have administrative rights, contact a system administrator.

This article requires use of the Classic View in the Windows XP Control Panel.

1. On the License Manager server, lock the ESRI (ArcGIS 8.x) or ArcGIS (ArcGIS 9.0) vendor daemon to a static port.
2. On all machines with Windows XP Service Pack 2, click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections.
   
   These steps assume the use of the Control Panel Classic View.
   
3. In the left panel, click Change Windows Firewall Settings.
4. Click the Exceptions tab.
5. Click Add Port...
6. In Name field enter 'lmgrd'. In the Port Number field enter the port number specified in the license file.Protocol should be set to TCP. Click OK.
7. Click Add Port... again in the Exceptions dialog box and follow the same procedure used in the previous step, entering 'ArcGIS' (for version 9.x) or 'ESRI' (for version 8.x) in the Name field and the number you added to the license file in Step 1 as the Port Number.
8. Click OK to close and enable the Internet Connection Firewall.

If the ArcGIS 9 License Manager is already installed, then any subsequent update to the license file can be added using the Update License tool found at Start > Programs > ArcGIS > License Manager (9.x) > Update License. This tool allow browsing to and updating of the license file without disrupting the License Manager Service.

If the ArcGIS 9 License Manager is not yet installed then it will be necessary to do so after receiving the version 9 license file.

If both a 9.0 and 8.x version of the license files have been obtained then use either of the aforementioned methods for the version 9 license file. For the version 8.x license it is necessary to update the license manager appropriately when the transition is complete, see the Related Information for details on transitions.

After installing ArcGIS desktop, either the Desktop Administrator program will not open, or it seems to take an inordinately long time to open.

There is an incorrect license manager reference on the system. The Desktop Administrator for ArcGIS Desktop 8.3 probes the license manager upon opening. If the license manager is not available, or a license manager does not exist with the hostname specified, the Desktop Administrator will appear to hang or simply disappear.

WARNING: The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.

ESRI cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions. Therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

Remove the incorrect license manager reference from the Windows registry.

1. Open the Registry Editor by going to Start > Run and type regedit. Click OK.
2. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\ESRI\License hive.
3. Double-click on the LICENSE_SERVER variable to edit it.
4. Remove the erroneous reference and replace it with '@hostname' (no quotes) where hostname is the hostname of the machine on which the license manager resides.

You can also specify the license server by ip address by using '@ipaddress' (no quotes) as the argument.