How to Find Host IDs in Pathwave License Manager
This article is part of the Licensing for Keysight Test & Measurement series of articles.
About Pathwave License Manager (PLM)
PathWave License Manager allows you to install local licenses, specify remote license servers for floating licenses, and view the available licenses for your software, whether they are local or floating. Additionally, the tool enables you to borrow and return floating licenses for offline use, as well as transport licenses from one host to another. For more info on KLM, please read Keysight License Managers Explained.
If using USB portable licenses, please read this: How to Set Up and Move a USB Portable License (detailed)
After installing the Pathwave License Manager, you can find your PC's Host ID’s using the PLM application, as presented in the picture below.
How to Find the Host ID in PLM

The host ID for your PC will be displayed in the "Machine’s Host ID Information" field, you can copy this value to the clipboard by pressing the relevant "Copy" button.
The copy button:

⚠ DO NOT request licenses with Ethernet MAC addresses configured for the following:
- Wifi: In the case of a wireless networking adapter, its MAC address is not available when the wireless adapter is removed from the machine or is disabled.
- Virtual machines: In some cases (for example, on Linux machines), there may be host IDs that correspond to running virtual machines (VMs). These host IDs will go away when the VM is stopped, and if you lock a license to a VM host ID, that license will not be valid when the VM is not running. (One way to determine which host ID corresponds to a VM is to stop the VM and see which host ID goes away.)
- VPNs: With Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), there may be host IDs that correspond to virtual devices that generate a different Ethernet address each time they are activated.
- Docking stations: If you run this machine in multiple configurations, such as with or without a docking station, check to see whether the host ID you plan to use is stable as you change configurations. (Always Refresh PathWave License Manager if you change the configuration, such as disconnecting from a docking station, while it is running.)
How to Launch KLM
There are three ways to launch Keysight License Manager:
- From the Windows search feature, type “Pathwave” and select “Keysight Pathwave License Manager.”
- In the Windows Start Menu, it is under “Keysight Pathwave License Manager.”
- On Windows-based instruments, there is usually a License selection under a Tools or Utilities menu.
