Setting up ELC Primary and Backup Servers

Efficient License Management with Embarcadero Enterprise License Center (ELC)

The Embarcadero Enterprise License Center (ELC) software, previously known as AppWave, is a server-based application that allows users of Embarcadero products, including DB PowerStudio and ER/Studio, to manage their own licenses, rather than using the public Embarcadero Developer Network (EDN). 

This software is installed and maintained on premise by the customer. It’s popular with financial or other institutions that limit internet access or customers who want to share licenses between multiple users.

License Types Supported by ELC

• Network Named Licenses: Assigned to a specific user, allowing that user to access the licenses from any workstation.

Concurrent Licenses: Shared from a pool of licenses that can be checked out by a group of people, provided a license is available. The license is released and made available for others when the user exits the application.

Managing Licenses with ELC (Embarcadero License Center)

With ELC, the first time an end user starts a DBPS application (DBArtisan, DB Optimizer, Rapid SQL, DB Change Manager) or ER/Studio product, they are given a message that they do not have a current license. They point the product towards a special file, called a “slip” file, which establishes the connection to the ELC server. 

If a license is available on the ELC, it is checked out, and the user can run the application. The next time the user runs that application, DBPS remembers the location of the ELC server and silently checks out a license. If a license is not available, the user receives an error message.

Accessing Full Documentation

The full instructions for downloading, installing, configuring, and administering ELC are available on the Embarcadero website. The documentation is very good and very thorough.

Simplified Setup Guide

This blog post is a simpler step-by-step guide on how to set up master and backup ELC servers.

• Most customers, probably 90%, only set up a master server.
• Additionally, there are several videos that may be helpful.

ELC Installation: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

ELC Server Installation

The ELC server can be installed on a Windows or Linux server. No license or certificate is needed to download and install ELC. The installation package can be downloaded from the following links:

• Windows – 32 bit: Download Link
• Windows – 64 bit: Download Link
• Linux – 32 bit: Download Link
• Linux – 64 bit: Download Link

Installation is simple and fast. In a Windows environment, where it is typically installed, it is set up as a service called “ELC” and placed under the C:\Program Files\Embarcadero\ELC5.33 directory.

How to Verify and Troubleshoot Installation of ELC

Once it is installed, you can verify that it is running by using the web-based login and admin screens by using the URL “http:<server>:5580” and “http:<server>:5580/admin”.

• User Access:
  The first site is available to all users, where they can see what licenses they have access to and can download any applications that are staged on the ELC server.
• Administrator Access:
  The second URL is for administrators and allows them to register certificates, edit the list of allowed/disallowed users, run reports, and so on.

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

If you do encounter difficulties during the install or startup, you can:

1. Check for errors in the log files in this directory:
   C:\Program Files\Embarcadero\ELC5.33\LicenseCenter\logs

Open a support case with Idera here:
https://www.embarcadero.com/support

Registering Certificates for Your ELC Server

A certificate is a group of licenses. Your confirmation email from IDERA should include:

• An account name
• A password
• A certificate number

You use this information to host those licenses on your ELC server. Instructions for doing this are here: Obtaining License Files.

Options for Registering Certificates

1. Through the ELC Server Admin Page:
   • Access the admin page and follow the instructions provided.
2. Without Internet Access from the ELC Server:
   • Enter the credentials on this webpage: ELC Login.

You will also need to:

• Enter the host name and port number for the ELC.
• Optionally, provide the IP address.

Important Notes

• Ensure the host name is entered correctly, as certificates can only be assigned to one ELC server.
• If incorrect information is entered, contact Idera Support to open a support case and have the certificate reassigned.

Example: Registering Certificates Through the Web Admin Page

(The example for registering certificates follows.)

Web-Registration Process for Certificates

• Web-registration accessed through a browser requires similar information. Multiple certificates can be registered at one time.

Download and Placement of ZIP File

• The web-registration creates a ZIP file containing a “readme_#####.txt” file.
• This file is downloaded and placed in the C:\Program Files\Embarcadero\ELC5.33\LicenseCenter\conf directory on the ELC server.

Extracting and Copying Files

• A single file with a “slip” extension should be unarchived from the ZIP file.
• The other files do not need to be unarchived.
• The slip file is then copied to a network drive or sent to end-users.

Restarting the ELC Server

• Note that the ELC server will not recognize the web-registered licenses until it is restarted.
• Restarting is done by restarting the “ELC” service.

Checking Registered Licenses

• You can view the certificates registered to an ELC server by selecting “Licenses” on the main menu of the web admin page.

End Users and ELC License Setup

The slip file retrieved from the zipped file (or installed automatically in the directory if using ELC certificate registration) contains information about the ELC, including host name, IP address, and port number. 

This file is distributed to users via email, shared drive, or any other mechanism. This is the file that users will point to when they start an application for the first time.

Accessing ELC Licenses

• Users can access the ELC licenses through Help > About > Licenses.
• Users then select “Import” and browse to the location of the slip file.
• The DBPS product will then automatically connect to the ELC server and check out a license if one is available.

As stated earlier, the application will remember the ELC connection information on subsequent startups and licenses will be checked out silently.

Backup Server Configuration

You can create a backup server that can process requests for licenses if the primary server becomes unavailable. Installation is identical to the primary server, and then a few changes are made to a properties file. Those changes are listed here: Setting up a Backup ELC for Temporary Redundancy.

Installation Steps:

• Install the primary ELC.
• Install the backup ELC server with proper configuration changes.
• Register a license, either through the admin page or through the web registration.
• Restart the primary ELC server.
• Restart the backup ELC server.

Important Note:

The communication port (5567) will not start if there are no licenses registered with the primary server. The backup server should be started within five minutes of restarting the primary server.

Testing Your Backup Server Setup

You can test that your backup server is working by:

• Starting a DBPS product to check out a license
• Go to the web admin page on the primary server to verify that a license was checked out (http:<server>:5580/admin)
• Exit the program to free up the license
• Stop the “ELC” service on the main server
• Start the DBPS product again. This should now go to the backup server to retrieve a license.
• Go to the web admin interface for the backup server (http:<server>:5580/admin) and verify that a license was checked out
• Restart the primary service

ELC Application Features

The ELC application gives you great flexibility in how licenses are used. The administration page for ELC allows you to:

• Create lists of users who are allowed to check out named or concurrent licenses, or users who are denied.
• Access many reports to show you how your licenses are being used, high water marks, usage by user, and so on.

Support for ELC Setup

If you have any questions about setting up your ELC server, feel free to contact your account representative. They will bring in a technical resource (like me!) to walk you through the entire process. 

Assuming that firewalls are open and administrative rights on the ELC server are available, it should take less than an hour to install, verify, and train you on the administration of ELC.