Getting Started with NI VLM: Creating a Disconnected or Home License

This article explains how to set up a disconnected or home license with NI Volume License Manager (VLM). VLM allows users to obtain a Disconnected License or Home License to activate software outside the server’s network. Server administrators can either disconnect a user or machine for offline use, or create a home license that enables users to install and activate NI software on their home computers.

The steps outlined below are intended to guide Software Administrators through the process of creating and distributing these licenses. If you require a disconnected or home license, please contact your software administrator for assistance.

If you have already been assigned a disconnected or home license and need guidance on how to use it, please refer to the instructions provided here: Installing License Files.

This article is part of the Getting Started with VLM  series.

Introduction

If you are using a machine that is isolated from the company network, you can activate your NI products using a Disconnected License. If you plan to use the software on a home computer outside of your organization’s network, a Home License is required.

Please note that Unmanaged Concurrent Licenses cannot be disconnected from the license server, as these licenses cannot be manually assigned. All other license types can be disconnected; however, when available, it is recommended to prioritize Non‑concurrent Licenses over Concurrent Licenses.

Regarding Home Licenses, these can only be created for Non‑concurrent licenses and cannot be issued as Debug Licenses.

For additional details on these licensing options and their definitions, please refer to the following document: Understanding NI Software Policies.

For VLM 3.0 or newer

• Follow the NI Volume License Manager Help steps for Managing Disconnected License Files.

• If you are disconnecting a User-Based License:

• Starting in VLM 2024 Q4, this limitation is enforced, requiring that the selected expiration date for a disconnected license must be the same as or earlier than the volume license expiration date. The "Never expire" option for disconnected licenses is now only available for users and computers that exclusively use perpetual licenses.

• You should reconnect the user when they no longer need to use their disconnected license. The Reconnect button returns the license from the assigned user or machine back to the license server, making the seat available for other users.

• To create a Home License, follow the directions in NI Volume License Manager Help to create the file and then have the user install the license file on their home machine.

• If you are using a User-Based License:

For VLM 2.1.1

• In VLM, right-click on the computer or user and select Disconnect
• Choose whether or not the disconnected license file should expire, and then save the file.
• To use the disconnected license file, transfer the license file to the client's computer and simply drag and drop it into the client’s NI License Manager.

Note: If you would like to disconnect more than one license file, use the shift and control keys to select multiple computers/users for disconnection, right-click and choose Disconnect.

NI's license agreement states that you are allowed to install one seat of the software on one work computer as well as one home computer. Since many home computers will not have network access to the license server, create a home use license for these computers. After you obtain the computer ID of the home computer, right-click on the client computer whose user requires a home license and choose Create License for Home User. Then install the home license file on the home computer using NI License Manager.