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Set up your first Acme license server🔗

Time: ~15 minutes

What you’ll accomplish

A single Acme License server on a LAN with one client leasing a seat from an Acme dongle attached to the server host.

You need

  • Admin rights on both machines
  • Stable LAN (wired preferred)
  • Windows or macOS host for the server that stays powered on
  • Acme License Engine and Acme License Hub installed on the server host
  • Acme dongle plugged into the server host (avoid multiport USB adapters)
  • One license with sharable seats in your account

Step 1: Start and name the server🔗

  1. On the server host, open Server Admin.
  2. Give the server a unique name.
  3. Set a strong access password and save.

The server is now identified and protected.

Step 2: Enable discovery for the first run🔗

  1. In Server Admin → Discovery, set Public (advertise on LAN).
  2. Apply changes.

The server is now visible on the LAN.

Step 3: Activate seats to the server’s dongle🔗

Warning

For server leasing, seats must be activated to the Acme dongle attached to the server host, not to another location.

  1. Ensure the Acme dongle is connected directly to the server host.
  2. On the server host, open Acme License Hub and sign in.
  3. Find your license under Available.
  4. Choose Activate and target the dongle.
  5. Wait for activation to complete.

License seats are now present on the server’s dongle.

Step 4: Verify status🔗

  1. In Server Admin, open Status or Statistics and confirm Online.
  2. In Acme License Hub on the server host, confirm the license appears on the Acme dongle.

Step 5: Connect a client on the same subnet🔗

  1. On a client machine, open Acme License Hub → Servers.
  2. Under Discovered, select your server and click Connect.
  3. Enter the access password if prompted.
  4. Confirm that the server entry shows Connected.

Step 6: Prove a lease🔗

  1. On the client, launch a protected app.
  2. In Server Admin → Statistics, confirm 1 active lease.

Success

The app launches without errors, and the server shows an active lease while the app runs.

Troubleshooting🔗

  • Server not listed under Discovered → see Server not discovered.
  • Client connects but no seats → seats may be on the wrong location. Ensure activation targeted the Acme dongle on the server host. See No seats available.
  • Connection blocked → see Firewalls.

Next steps🔗