www.keysight.com/find/BenchVue

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).

To evaluate a PathWave 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. 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 Keysight Software Manager (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 the PathWave BenchVue application 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.

  1. Go to www.keysight.com/find/BenchVue to purchase a Software Entitlement Certificate for the desired PathWave BenchVue applications. You can choose either paper or electronic delivery of your entitlement certificate.

  2. After you have received your entitlement certificate, note the Order Number and Certificate Number. You will need these numbers later in this procedure.


  3. Launch the AC Source application to perform the next steps redeem and activate your license.

  4. From the License Required dialog, click Install to begin the process to redeem your license (internet connection required).

  5. You will be directed to the Keysight PathWave License Manager software application – if not already installed on your computer, go to www.keysight.com/find/plm to download the application. From PathWave License Manager, click and follow the How do I get a license file? guide.


  6. From the guide, you will also be directed to the to the Keysight Software Manager (KSM) web site, which will open in your default 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.
    If you are a first-time user of KSM, you will be required to complete a one-time registration on the web site.
  7. 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.

  8. From PathWave License Manager, select the Add a License File option. Navigate to the location on your computer where you saved the license file you received via e-mail. License files have a .lic file extension (for example, "f44ee3019294_7459242.lic").

    If you are a first-time user of PathWave License Manager, you may be required to create a myKeysight account.

  9. Click Add Now.
  10. Your license is now activated.

Transfer 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. To save the license, follow the procedure below.

  1. Deactivate the license on the current computer which contains the license. The license will no longer be used on the computer after deactivation.

  2. Use the Keysight Software Manager (KSM) to synchronize the deactivation with the information provided to you in the confirmation dialog box during deactivation.

  3. Assign the license to the new computer (Host ID) you want to move the license to.

Refer to the PathWave License Manager guide for more details.