Activate NI Software as Part of a Volume License Agreement

If your organization has a Volume License Program (VLA) or Enterprise Agreement (EA), you can activate NI software on your computer by connecting to the Volume License Manager (VLM) or FlexLM server. 

Your organization's License Administrator(s) are responsible for managing license distribution details and providing the specific steps required to retrieve a license from your company’s license server.
 

1. Open License Manager (LM)

License Manager is a client-side tool that manages licenses on your computer and enables software activation by connecting to a server-based license manager (such as Volume License Manager or FlexLM). This tool is automatically installed when NI software, such as LabVIEW, is installed. 

To open it, open the Windows Start menu, search for License Manager, and press Enter.

2. Connect to the Volume License Server

• Obtain your company’s license server name/IP address (and port number if required) from your Software Administrator.
• In License Manager, configure the server connection (e.g., go to the Network Licenses tab or select the Gear icon >> Manage Volume License Servers)

• Enter the server name/IP address (and port number if required) and click OK to connect.

3. Verify License Access and Permissions

• Once you have successfully connected to your company’s server, you will be able to retrieve server-based licenses to your client machine from the Network Licenses tab in LM.
• Please note that, depending on your organization’s license configuration, you may require license permissions before you can use the software. These permissions are managed by your organization’s administrators. If you are connected to the server but are unable to use the installed software, you may need to contact them to request the appropriate license access.

• Unmanaged Concurrent Licenses: Licenses are dynamically checked out from the server when you launch your NI software. You may not see an active checkout status until the software is running
• Managed Concurrent / Named-User Licenses: Your Software Administrator must explicitly assign permissions to your user account or computer before software can be activated . If you receive a permission or evaluation notice after connecting, contact your administrator to grant access

For more information about NI licensing options, visit Understanding NI Software Policies or read our Software Activation Privacy Statement. 

Note: 

• Single-Seat Licenses: If you are activating software using an individual serial number rather than a network server, refer to  Activating NI Software with a Single-Seat License
• Academic / Student Licenses: If you are a student activating software through your institution's academic license, follow guidance from Activating NI Software as a Student Through an Academic License.