FlexOTO Licensing

Use the FlexOTO Licensing dialog to launch Keysight's License Manager and PathWave License Manager applications that are used to install and manage FlexOTO licenses. For an overview of Keysight licensing go to www.Keysight.com/find/licensing.

The following table shows the types of licenses managed by the two licensing applications. Both applications support perpetual licenses, renewable licenses, and renewable software support licenses. Features need only to be licensed by one of these applications to be available for use.

License Manager Application PathWave License Manager Application
License Manager supports:
  • Node-locked licenses: these are licenses that are redeemed against a particular N1000A/86100D mainframe, PC, or UXR (for (FlexRT). These licenses are stored on the hard drive of the PC or instrument.
  • Transportable licenses: These are licenses that can be transported from one instrument or PC to another. They can only be used on one instrument at a time.
PathWave License Manager supports:
  • Device-locked licenses: These are licenses that are redeemed against a particular DCA-M or the N1002A instrument. These licenses are stored within the device EEPROM and enable functionality in whichever PC it is connected to. These licenses require FlecDCA A.07.00 or later.
  • Floating (server-based) licenses: These licenses are centrally stored in an on-site server and can be checked out when specific functionality is needed. This enables the license to be shared across multiple users.
  • USB dongle-based licenses: These licenses are tied to a unique physical USB key.

A node-locked license can be redeemed as either a traditional node-locked license or as a device-locked license. Instructions for redeeming and installing both license types will be provided with the entitlement certificate and license file.

When a floating license is installed with the PathWave License Manager, FlexDCA periodically checks the license server to refresh the status of licenses. You can click Refresh at any time to force FlexDCA to immediately check the server.

The dialog's Licenses tab and Licensed Features tabs lists all installed software package licenses, external application licenses, and legacy licenses (no longer sold but are active if previously purchased). Expand the license listing to discover the actual installed licenses.

Three software license packages are currently available for FlexDCA:

  • N1010100A Research and Development Package (L-RND)
  • N1010200A Manufacturing Package (L-MFG)
  • N1010300A Signal Integrity Package (L-SNT)

Three software license packages are currently available for FlexOTO:

  • N1002014A. FlexFTO up to 14 Optical Switch Ports (L-SW17)
  • N1002048A. FlexFTO up to 14 Optical Switch Ports (L-SW48)
  • N1002128A. FlexFTO up to 14 Optical Switch Ports (L-SW128)

If legacy single-feature licenses are installed, the single feature licenses category is shown in the dialog. Otherwise, this category is not displayed.

Starting with FlexOTO version A.06.00, the license scheme was changed to reduce the number of FlexOTO licenses while retaining the same powerful features. License reduction makes it easier to purchase the features that you need.

Free 30-day trial licenses are available. Go to www.keysight.com/find/N1000A or and click on the Licensed Software tab.

While using FlexDCA, the presence of this button alerts you that a feature, for example an NRZ TDEC measurement, requires a license that currently is not installed. Clicking on this button opens the Feature Licensing dialog that describes feature and the license which enable the feature.

A problem can occur if FlexDCA has started but more time is needed until Keysight's PathWave License Service is available to confirm a USB dongle license or borrowed floating license. For more information, refer to message 164. The PathWave License Service is still initializing. This can take a few minutes.. See also message 165. PathWave License Service Error.