Network license server upgrade
29 Jul 2014
Server upgrade on Monday, 4 August affecting a number of software applications
What are we doing?
On the morning of Monday 4 August, IT Services will be replacing several network licence servers.
These servers host concurrent licences for the following software applications:
- ABAQUS
- Avizo
- EViews version 6
- Gauss 12
- Gold
- Idrisi Kilimanjaro
- Intel Fortran Compilers
- Materials Studio
- Mathematica
- MATLAB
- MINITAB
- Scientific Word 5
- Office and Windows KMS servers
- Server 2003 Terminal Services Clients.
The following licences are no longer needed and are being retired at this time:
- ACD/Labs
- Quark Express
- SoftImage
- A private instance of TopSpin 2.
We are aware that there are still instances of these applications in use on campus, and we are only retiring network licences which are no longer used by any applications.
What will happen to the software during the work?
Work will commence between 0800h and 0830h and is likely to take around half an hour at which point we will return access to the software. There will then be a period of more in-depth testing.
Running the software should not be affected but we cannot rule out the possibility that your it may crash as the connection transfers between the old and new servers. The applications listed above are generally tolerant of short breaks in access to the licence servers.You will not be able to start any of the above software while the work is in progress. Idrisi Kilimanjaro and EViews 6 will be unavailable for around 24 hours, as we need new codes from the vendors which we cannot obtain before the upgrade. Please consider access to licences to be at risk until around midday to allow for thorough testing.
Why are we doing it?
These servers are old, and we are upgrading to virtual servers which should make future upgrades less disruptive.
Which software applications use these licences?
Some of these software applications are installed widely, for example on the staff and student managed desktop. Some are installed only on the computers of small research groups and individuals.
ABAQUS, MATLAB and Mathematica are particularly widely distributed.
IT Services