License types

IBM Rational Common Licensing (powered by FLEXlm software) provides different license types.

Table 1 explains the different types of licenses.

Table 1. License types
License type Description
Authorized user
  • An authorized user license key is created for a specific client. It allows a user to use a IBM Rational® product only on that specified client.
  • The user may start multiple sessions of a product concurrently on the specified computer using a single license key.
  • Because authorized user license key are uncounted licenses, no license server is needed to manage them.
Authorized user fixed term license (FTL)
  • An IBM Rational Authorized User FTL (formerly called a user-based license or per-user license) allows a single, specific individual to use an Rational product for a specific length of time (the term).
  • Purchasers must obtain an Authorized User FTL for each individual user accessing the product in any manner.
  • An Authorized User FTL might not be reassigned unless the purchaser is replacing the original assignee on a long-term or permanent basis.
  • Currently, this license type is not available for Rational products based on the Eclipse framework.
Date-based versioning Licenses are active based on the date you bought the license or the date your maintenance period ends. The latest date is used.

You cannot use versions of Rational products that are released after your maintenance contract has expired. New licenses are issued to you when your maintenance is renewed.

Floating
  • A license administrator installs the IBM Rational license server software on single, multiple, or redundant servers. The administrator then installs the floating licenses on the license servers. These floating licenses are created for the specific license server.
  • Client users obtain licenses from the license server when they start the software. One license is granted per client per product, except performance testing products. Performance testing products can check out multiple licenses.
  • Floating licenses allow anyone on your network to use IBM Rational products if a license is available. The number of licenses that you purchase and register in the IBM Rational License Key Center determines the maximum number of users who can use Rational products concurrently.
Named-User Floating
  • Similar to a floating license, except the license administrator assigns licenses to specific users. Only specific users can request floating license keys from the license server.
  • A named-user floating license requires a license administrator to create a list of authorized users.
Token The token-based license model means that you can buy a certain number of Token licenses. If you use a Rational product that checks out a FEATURE that is token-based, the FEATURE line in the license file specifies the number of Tokens that are checked out.

Token-based licenses can only be used with floating licenses. They cannot be used for authorized user license.

For more details about Token licensing, contact your local IBM marketing representative.