How to connect an ENVI/IDL client machine to a Next-Generation License Server without having administrator permissions

NOTE: This Help Article only applies to Next-Generation Licensing.

 

There are multiple ways to connect a client machine to a Next-Generation License Server. However, the two standard methods often will require elevated or Administrator permissions to complete:

 

• Run the L3Harris License Administrator GUI and choose "Use License Server". In many cases, simply launching this tool will require elevated permissions. 
   

 

 

• Manually connect to the license server by creating the required text file and placing it in the license folder of your ENVI/IDL installation as described HERE. Writing a file inside your ENVI/IDL installation will often require elevated permissions.

 

If you DO NOT have elevated permissions on your system, you can still connect to a Next-Generation License Server following these steps: 

1.  Create a plain text file called "lic_server.dat"
2. Include the following single line in the file:
   
   http://server_IP:port
   
   where server_IP is the hostname or IP address of your Next-Generation License Server and Port is the TCP/IP port number that it uses. By default, the Port will be 4080. 
    
3. Save the text file to any writable location on your system. If you are unsure where is writable, place it in your user home directory. For example:
   
   Windows: C:\Users\YourUsername
   MacOS: /Users/YourUsername
   Linux: /home/YourUsername
    
4. Finally, create an environment variable under your user called IDL_LICENSE_PATH which defines the directory where your lic_server.dat file has been saved. For example:
   
   IDL_LICENSE_PATH=C:\Users\YourUsername
    
5. Finally, launch ENVI/IDL and confirm that they can checkout a license from your server.

 

 

Created by BC-US (10/26/2023) |  Review by TS (10/27/2023)