Migrating NI Volume License Manager (VLM) to a New Server

• I would like to migrate, move or export NI Volume License Manager (VLM) to a new server and then import the configuration. How can I do this?
• We have moved our volume license server to a new computer with a different computer ID. What steps do we need to take to get our server up and running on this new computer?

Below is the recommended procedure for moving NI Volume License Manager to a new server. Note that your old server should be left in production until the procedure verified as successful. 

In NI VLM 3.0 to VLM 2023 Q1

1. Exporting License Server Files and Settings 
Create a backup of your existing NI VLM server using File»Backup/Restore NI VLM (see Creating an NI VLM Backup)

2. New License File
Install NI Volume License Manager on the new server. Start VLM and select "I do not have an agreement license file for this computer". Follow the steps in the Getting Started Wizard to request a new license file from NI by emailing services@ni.com with your Service ID, Server Name and Server Computer ID.

3. Setting up a New License Server
After you received the license file for your new server, start VLM again. This time, select "I have an agreement license file for this computer", and select the file.  Continue with the Wizard. At Importing Settings from Previous NI VLM Installations select Import settings from a previous NI VLM 3.x installation and select the backup we made in step 1.
You cannot use a backup from another server except in the Getting Started Wizard. If you need to go back to this stage please refer to Backup File Was Created From Another Installation of NI VLM Error
If you upgrade from a 3.x version to 2023 Q1, read through Database Migration from SQL CE to SQLite in NI Volume License Manager (VLM)
  

In NI VLM 1.0 to NI VLM 2.1

1. Exporting License Server Files and Settings 

1. Save the Activity Log from your old server by navigating to Options»Save Activity Log...
2. Save the compliance log, which has a .log file extension and the configuration file nivlm.cfg. The configuration file nivlm.cfg contains both permission and client information. Therefore, moving this file will prevent you from having to re-enter this information on the new server. These files can be found at <National Instruments>\Volume License Manager

2. New License File
Request a new license file from NI. Send both your new computer ID and the activity log from the old server. NI uses your computer ID, the activity log, and your agreement ID to generate a new license file. See Finding Unique NI Computer ID for Activation and Licensing.

3. Setting up a New License Server

1. Install NI Volume License Manager
2. Install you new license file onto your new server by navigating to Options»Install License File...
3. Replace the activity and compliance log, which both have a .log file extension, and the configuration file nivlm.cfg on the new server with copies of each from the old server. These files are located in the <National Instruments>\Volume License Manager directory. Please be sure that  VLM on the new server is closed, when copying the nivlm.cfg to the new server.
4. Set your preferences on the new server by navigating to Options»Preferences.

Additional Information

Client Modifications

The above changes affect the server, not the clients.  The recommended way to ensure the clients still point to the proper server is to rename the new server with the Windows names of the old server. If this option is not available please see How Do I Point Client Computers to My New Licensing Server?