General Procedure and Common Issues with Licensing of Agilent OpenLab CDS

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent OpenLab CDS Software (OpenLab CDS 2.X, OpenLab CDS ChemStation Edition C.01.08 - C.01.10 and OpenLab CDS EZChrom Edition A.05.08 - A.04.10).

Issue:

All OpenLab CDS software versions need a valid license file (.lic) to work. The creation and insertion of this license file into your software is typically part of the software installation. Nevertheless, you will have to update your license file when: Updating the software or hardware enablements of your license, changing your computer name or MAC address (e.g. by changing the network card) or installing the OpenLab software on a new computer. For any of the previously mentioned occasions, you go through several steps using the SubscribeNet Portal accordingly. If there is a license issue, the OpenLab Software may generate the error messages "Not enough license features" or "Cannot connect to license server system". However, they can also point to a problem with the licensing servers.

Steps to follow:

If you are unsure as to why the license file might have stopped working, please consider asking your IT department first whether any changes have been made on your computer recently.

• When the PC name (hostname, can be changed manually) or MAC address (defined by the network card) has changed:
  
  Please direct yourself to this article about how to return a license and generate an updated license file. The article is referring to this document.
  
  
  
• When the license needs an update because your entitlement has been augmented recently (new authorization codes have been added):
  
  For Standalone Workstations, please read this document carefully. For Client/server environments, please contact your local Agilent Support representative.
  
  
  
• When you get a licensing error (e.g. that you have not enough license features), but have not connected a new instrument or modified your PC or license file:
  
  1. Check that your license file includes all the licenses necessary to run your instruments. You can check how many licenses are registered on your system, as well as how many are currently in use, by going to the Administration tab in the OpenLab Control Panel. Then you need to go to Licenses > View Licenses.
     Remember that for each tower you need one instrument license plus an extra license for each additional detector. Since Diode-array detectors (DADs) have spectral capabilities, they already consume two licenses on their own. Depending on whether you have any third-party detectors connected, you might also need more licenses.
     
     
  2. Also check that the correct instrument type is set for your instrument in your OpenLab Control Panel under Instruments > Your Instrument > Instrument Type.
     
     
  3. Check this article concerning the OpenLab Services, especially when facing the issue of not being able to start your OpenLab software due to one of the following exemplary error messages:
     • "Unable to open this instrument because there are no licenses available. An error occurred connecting to the license server: Cannot connect to license server system."
     • "Failed to Connect to the Instrument, Not Enough License Features."
     • "Connection to Shared Services Failed."
       • If the "Agilent OpenLab Shared Services" service cannot be started (even manually), try enabling the "NetTcpPortSharing" service.
         
       • Check if any recent changes on your computer have been made. If a new software is blocking network ports that an OpenLab service is using normally, other ports should be assigned to the new software. Alternatively, you can start the other program after starting OpenLab, so that the OpenLab software gets the ports it needs first.

If you are still facing issues with your license or starting your OpenLab software, please contact your local Agilent Support representative.

Learn how to effectively operate your OpenLab Licenses: CDS Workstation Guide user manual on Agilent.com