How can we help?
Table of Contents
< All Topics

LAN License Server (LLS)

LAN License Server – Feature Overview

The LAN License Server is a network-based licensing solution designed to manage and distribute basehead software licenses to multiple clients within a local area network (LAN). This system allows organizations to centralize floating license management, ensuring that only authorized users within the network can access and launch basehead.  The LLS is a simple console app that runs on PC, Mac and even Linux.

Key Features

  • Centralized Floating License Management:
    The LAN License Server maintains a pool of available licenses and tracks their usage in real time. Administrators can monitor how many licenses are available, in use, and connected clients.

  • Client Authentication & Connection:
    Clients connect to the LLS using a specified IP address and port. The LLS authenticates each client and manages their license status and overall available and used quantity. (QTY)

  • Automatic Reconnection & Offline Support:
    If the connection to the server is lost, the client will attempt to reconnect automatically. In the event of a prolonged outage, the system will fall back to a temporary certificate-based license (Offline.cert), allowing continued use for at least 8 hours. 

  • Status Feedback & Error Handling:
    The client UI provides clear feedback on connection status, license availability so no need to look at the Licenses besides for more deep troubleshooting by viewing errors encountered from failed client connections.

  • Checkout:
    This type  of license pooling can work in a Hybrid mode.   Admin can also ‘Check Out’ Cloud Based licenses from the Pool QTY for Work for Home user and return them when completed.  This can be accomplished on the Licenser Pool page inside your accounts dashboard.

Typical Workflow

  1. Connection:
    The client enters the server’s IP address and port, then connects to the LAN License Server on the Licenses/Server tab inside basehead.

  2. Authentication:
    The server authenticates the client and, if successful, issues a license for use.

  3. License Usage:
    The client uses the software under the terms of the issued license. The server tracks usage and availability QTY.

  4. Disconnection & Recovery:
    If the connection drops, the client attempts to reconnect. If the server remains unreachable, the client may use a temporary offline license if available to avoid downtime for the basehead clients.

  5. Administration:
    Admins can manage users, update credentials, and monitor license usage from the server interface.

Benefits

  • Works  great for facilities, like trailer houses, that all the clients computer are forbidden to be on the internet.  The clients connect to the server and only the server needs to be able to reach the outside world.  It pings www.basehead.com once per 10 minutes to check for license updates and WFH license checkouts and returns
  • Reduces administrative overhead by centralizing license management
  • Provides resilience with offline/temporary license 

 

LLS Server Side Setup Instructions

Contact us if you want to get the LLS Runtime Installer to try out or migrate to.  The LLS is just a simple Console application.  After first launch you will see something like this below. 

Write down the above I.P. Address as you will need that later.
Also a DeviceSerial.txt file will be created to be used for Authorization in this folder ~Documents/basehead 


When notified your licenses are ready, you will see an (empty) container on the My Licenses page ready Activation.  Open the DeviceSerial.txt and ‘Copy’ the text to your clipboard and ‘Paste’ in the DeviceSerial.  Then press ‘Activate’ as shown below.

Your clipboard should contain a string that looks like this…
LAN_8BB3DD9A-18A0-448D-9B05-F6E86EA465E1:DESKTOP-EEBRD8J

NOTE: On some browsers (Ctrl/CMD+V) does work.  In that case use the left side ‘Paste’ icon or right click and choose ‘Paste’

Once the Activation is Successful, the LAN.key will be downloaded automatically.

After Pressing ‘Ok’ the License will refresh and show your the ‘View Pool’ button that will take you  to the ‘License Pool’ page.

The last server side steps are to copy this LAN.key file to the ~Documents/basehead/Licenses folder where the LLS is installed and then restart the LLS and you should see it load License file like below and show the amount of floating licenses available. 

The LLS is now ready to accept connections from the clients.  8)

LLS Client Side Instructions

Connection to the LLS is done on the ‘Server’ tab in the Licensing Panel in basehead.  Just enter the I.P. where the LLS is running and press ‘Connect’

NOTE: Leave the Port set to 9000

Once connected the ‘Server’ tab will show all the info of the connected license and you will see all clients connected to the LLS currently along with QTY of Available and Currently In Use Licenses.

Contact us to migrate over to the LLS and to convert your existing licenses to be able to use this feature in your facility.