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What is the licensing agent?

Thomas Schempp
  • Updated

Note: Instead of the license agent, we recommend Active Directory licensing or Entra ID licensing

 

The licensing agent is a server program that runs in your in-house network. It receives the license requests from the clients and checks them anonymously against the axes4 licensing servers.

The clients therefore do not communicate directly with the axes4 servers, but only with the licensing agent. Only the licensing agent contacts the axes4 servers. The client data is hashed, i.e. transmitted anonymously.

Functions of the licensing agent

  • Bridge between application and axes4 license server: The licensing agent forms the bridge to the outside world: the license manager on the client PC sends a request to the licensing agent, which in turn establishes a connection with the axes4 license server. An Internet connection is required for the licensing agent.
  • Relieves users of licensing tasks: users do not have to log in individually.
  • Relieves the admin of licensing tasks: the admin does not have to configure each user individually, but can manage the usage rights at domain level.
  • Central administration of licenses, authorizations and assignments: licenses are assigned centrally to domains or domain users in the licensing agent.

Download

Download the licensing agent here.

System requirements

Version 1.4.0 and later

  • Windows Server 2016 and later, Windows 10, Windows 11
  • ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle 8. (Supplied with the installer, a separate installation is not necessary).

Version 1.2.x

  • Windows Server 2016 and later, Windows 10, Windows 11
  • ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle 6

Version 1.x

  • Windows Server 2016 und später, Windows 8.1 Service Pack (SP) 1, Windows 10, Windows 11
  • ASP.NET Core Hosting Bundle 3.1

Operating principle

Overview of the basic components in the agent use case.

 

The 5 elements of the axes4 license system (starting from the end user)

  1. axes4 License Manager: The License Manager is installed locally on the end user's computer (part of the setup of each axes4 application), communicates with the licensing agent and ensures that the applications remain activated during the term of the licenses. By default, the license manager runs in the user context and is stored as an autostart, so that it restarts each time the operating system is started.
  2. Browser: The admin accesses the license management and the end user accesses the license manager via the browser.
    axes4 licensing agent: The licensing agent is installed on a local Windows server at the customer's premises. Ideally, the Windows server is located in the DMZ. Only the licensing agent communicates with the axes4 license server.
  3. axes4 license server: The axes4 Cloud (location: EU) runs the core of the licensing system with the central license administration.
  4. axes4 Identity Administration: The license agent authenticates itself to the license server, and an administrator can access the license portal via their axes4 ID. Both processes are handled via Auth0.

 

The documentation for installing and configuring the licensing agent can be found here.