Execution of ESRI ArcGIS products on Windows platforms is controlled by the FLEXlm license manager running a license server. Software keys, provided by ESRI, are required for each product and determine the number of concurrent users. Under terms of the Site License Agreement we are permitted an unlimited number of licenses.  A hardware key is also required for Windows .

Simply stated, the FLEXlm license manager uses a node name and a Sentinel hardware key to control execution. Each license server requires a hardware key, only one license server is required per local Windows  domain. Hardware keys cost $30.00 (or maybe $50.00) and can be purchased directly from ESRI Telebusiness at 800.447.9778)

Note: ArcGIS 9 products will not function with older license managers. It is possible to run both ArcGIS 9 and older license managers on the same system: see this document from ESRI

To obtain a license file, e-mail the following information to esri-license@osc.edu:

1. Your Name
2. Computer Make and Model
3. Computer serial number
4. Computer name (Host name)
5. Version of ArcGIS(8 or 9)
6. Hardware key number (37xx xxxx)
7. Number of licenses requested for this system/server. (minimum is 3, no maximum)

A remote license server is available for institutions that do not have the resources to set up and run local license servers or do not wish to purchase hardware keys. Use of this license server is restricted to Ohio Higher Education ESRI Site License members. You will have to provide the IP address or host names of all machines that you expect to use with this server. We can authorize an entire subnet, if necessary, for DHCP or other reasons.

To use the remote license server, the following environment variable can be set (UNIX folks know how to do this). This system level setting will override any/all other license settings on the computer. You can set the system variable before, after or during the install.

• for ArcGis 9.x only: ARCGIS_LICENSE_FILE set to "27004@192.148.248.45" or "27004@study.osc.edu"

For Windoze users, if currently installed,

a) Control Panel > System > Advanced; choose "Environment Variable" and

• for ArcGis 9.x only create 'System variable' ARCGIS_LICENSE_FILE to the 'value' "27004@192.148.248.45" or "27004@study.osc.edu"

b) Use the license manager utility GUI: Start > Programs > ArcGIS > Desktop Administrator, choose "License Manager" then choose "Change" and enter "192.148.248.45" or "study.osc.edu"

Both a) and b) accomplish the same thing. A reboot is not required.  You can change this at any time.

If not currently installed: during the install, select the Network option and Host "192.148.248.45" or "study.osc.edu"

See "http://www.globetrotter.com" for complete information about the license manager (FLEXlm, version 7.0) used by ESRI.
Here is the Version 7.0 license manager guide (in PDF format).

You need

• a hardware key. Can be purchased for $50.00 ($30.00 each for three or more) directly from ESRI Telebusiness at 800.447.9778.
• a license file which we can generate (see the 'Local license' instructions above).
• the license manager installed from from the CD.
• to use '127.0.0.1' in place of '192.148.248.45' in the 'Remote license' instructions above.