How to Borrow a Floating License with PathWave License Manager

This article is part of the Licensing for Keysight Test & Measurement series of articles. It is shows how to borrow a license from a floating license server with Pathwave License Manager. A video is also provided.

How to Borrow a Floating License Server with Pathwave License Manager

Most Keysight floating licenses can be borrowed. Borrowing lets you check out a license for an extended period of time and use it offline, without a connection to the network license server.
 

To borrow a floating license:
 

1. You must be connected to the network, with access to a license server that has floating licenses for the product you need to use.
   
2. You must have specified the remote license server in PathWave License Manager.
3. Select View Licenses, then select the Remote Licenses tab.
4. Click Borrow Licenses.
5. Choose the license or licenses to be borrowed by selecting them from the list.
6. Schedule a return date by typing in the date (dd/mm/yyyy) or selecting from the calendar control. You can typically borrow a license for up to 365 days, or until it expires, whichever comes first. (The administrator of the license server can further restrict license borrowing using an options file on the server.)
7. Click Borrow Now.

Once you've borrowed the license(s) you need, you can disconnect your local machine from the network, and use the licensed product(s)/feature(s) offline. No one else can use that specific license count during the borrow period: the license server will report it as being in use and will deny checkout requests for that license count.

At any time before the scheduled return date, you can return the license by selecting Return Borrowed Licenses Early on the Borrowed Licenses tab.

If you do not return the license before the scheduled return date, the license will automatically be returned on that date, even if your machine is not connected to the network. Once a license is returned, you can no longer use the licensed product/feature, and the license server considers the license count available to be checked out or borrowed by another client. After the license has been returned, you can borrow it again if it is available.
 

Return Borrowed Licenses Early
To return a borrowed license early (before its scheduled return date):

1. You must be connected to the network, with access to the specified license server from which you borrowed the licenses.
2. Start PathWave License Manager 
3. Click View Licenses, Borrowed Licenses, then Return Borrowed Licenses Early.
4. Choose the license or licenses to be returned by selecting them from the list of borrowed licenses.
   You can use the check box at the top of the list to select all:
   
5. Click Return Now .

Once a license is returned, it will no longer be listed in the Borrowed Licenses view.

Video – Borrowing a Floating License from a Remote License Server