Node-Locked and Transportable License

A node-locked (fixed) license enables the licensed software to run on one specific host computer. The license is tied to the computer's Host ID and is stored on the computer's hard disk. A transportable license is a type of node-locked license that can be unlocked from one host computer and then re-locked (transported) to another host computer, via a network-enabled process performed in conjunction with the Keysight Software Manager (KSM) web site. Each license is either perpetual (license does not expire) or subscription-based (license expires after a limited amount of time).

Note: To evaluate a BenchVue application before purchasing a license, free trial licenses are available. Trial licenses are node-locked, subscription-based licenses.

Software Support Subscription

Each software license includes free software updates and support for the specific instrument application for the duration of your support subscription. A perpetual license includes software updates and support for the first year, after which support can be renewed annually for a fee. A subscription-based license includes software updates and support through the term of the license.

Note: The time-bound aspects of the perpetual license (license does not expire) and the subscription-based license (license expires after limited time) start at the time you add the software license to your KSM profile.

Activate Your License

Once you have purchased your software license, you will receive a Software Entitlement Certificate from Keysight via e-mail. You will then redeem the entitlement certificate from within BenchVue and you will receive an e-mail with a software license (*.lic) file attached.

This section summarizes the process for redeeming and activating your license.

Go to www.keysight.com/find/BenchVue to purchase a Software Entitlement Certificate for the desired BenchVue applications. You can choose either paper or electronic delivery of your entitlement certificate.
After you have received your entitlement certificate, note the Order Number and Certificate Number. You will need these numbers later in this procedure.
Launch BenchVue to perform the next steps redeem and activate your license.
After connecting your instrument, confirm that it was properly discovered and added to the Instrument Panel. For more information on connecting instruments, see Connecting Your Instruments.

Right-click on the instrument icon and select "Licensing" to view the Activate BenchVue Licenses dialog.

Note: You can also access the Activate BenchVue Licenses dialog from the (1) global Settings menu and (2) Manage Instrument Panel menu.
From the Activate BenchVue Licenses dialog, click "Redeem" to begin the process to redeem your license (internet connection required). You will be directed to the Keysight Software Manager (KSM) web site, which will open in your default web browser. You will need to provide the Order Number and Certificate Number from the entitlement certificate (see Step 2 above). In addition, you will need to provide your computer's Host ID, which is provided for you at the bottom of the Activate BenchVue Licenses dialog.

Note: If you are a first-time user of KSM, you will be required to complete a one-time registration on the web site.
Your software license has now been redeemed. You will receive an e-mail from Keysight with a software license file (*.lic) attached. Save the license file to your local computer and make sure to note the location.
From the Activate BenchVue Licenses dialog (see above), select the appropriate license type from the drop-down list ("Node-Locked" or "Transportable") and click "Install" to begin the process to install the license file on your computer. You will be directed to the Keysight Software Manager Utility (KSM-U) software application, which was installed as part of the BenchVue installation. If KSM-U is not already installed, go to www.keysight.com/find/KSMU to download the application. From KSM-U, select the "Install License File" option and navigate to the location on your computer where you saved the license file that you received via e-mail.

Note: If you are a first-time user of KSM-U, you may be required to create a myKeysight account.
Click "Add Now".
Your license is now activated.

If you have not already installed the BenchVue application for your instrument, go to the Applications view located at the top of the BenchVue interface (Home > Applications).

Refresh Your Licensing Status

After you have installed a license, it may take some time for the application to detect the recently installed license. Alternatively, you may manually refresh your licensing status.

Right-click on the instrument icon and click "Refresh Licenses".

Transfer/Transport a License

If you have purchased a transportable license, you can transfer that license from one computer to another computer. Use the Keysight Software Manager (KSM) web site to save the existing transportable license for later reassignment to a different computer. For more information and procedures on transferring a license, see the Help file for the Keysight Software Manager Utility (KSM-U) application.