What are the technical requirements to use Bentley’s SELECTserver Online to license our applications?

SELECTserver Online is a internet WEB application located within the Bentley Systems Domain. The only technical requirement to connect to SELECTserver Online is to be able to access the internet. The configuration of your normal internet traffic will be used by your applications to reach SELECTserver Online. The default ports are “80” for normal traffic and “443” for Secure Socket Layer (SSL) connections. Again these are the default connection ports and are not configured or controlled by any Bentley application. They also do not require a specific listening or monitoring device specifically for connecting to the SELECTserver Online. The Bentley application will attempt to function just as a browser would in your environment to reach the internet. The actual access to the server is provided through a series of “Activation Keys” provided to you by Bentley Systems and implemented through the specific application in what is defined as a License Management Tool (LMT). This “tool” not only holds your configuration for communicating with the SELECTserver Online but can also be used to define environment specific connections configurations like Proxy Servers or user authentication credentials. There are other devices on the network that can complicate communications such as content filers, and threat management systems but they will need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

The main point here is that SELECTserver Online does not “require” any of the mentioned filters, management system or proxy server but in general can be configured to work with them if deemed necessary. In general the Bentley Application should be treated as an entity that will need to gain access to the outside world “through” your environment”. Once communication is established with the outside world access and security to SELECTserver Online is managed through your previously provided Activation Keys. This applies to all application from the implementation of the XM product line and forward including the SELECTServer Gateway which is essentially a client to the SELECTServer.

The very short answer is that to use SELECTserver Online, the clients need access to the internet through your specific environment configurations. In contrast these are the knowledge and technical requirements for running a deployed SELECTserver:

SELECTServer Technical Requirements .
http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/Licensing__Wiki/selectserver-technical-requirements.aspx

Deployed SELECTserver Knowledge Requirements
http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/deployed-selectserver-knowledge-requirements-tn.aspx

SACS 05.05.xx utilizes the Bentley IEG License Service to retrieve (check out) and return (check in) licenses. The SACS License Explorer shown below configures how the program uses licenses. The program can be configured for one of two modes:

Automatic License Mode: When licensed modules are accessed, SACS automatically retrieves the least extensive package license currently available. When SACS is closed, any SACS licenses are returned automatically. This option is best for users that are connected to a network the majority of the time.

Manual License Mode: When licensed modules are accessed, SACS will ask the user to select a package license to retrieve. The program will retrieve a license automatically if possible. Licenses can also be manually retrieved or "checked out" from the license list provided in the SACS License Explorer. Please note that SACS licenses are not automatically returned when the program is closed. This option is best for users that will be working apart from a network connection or who have "node-locked" licenses.

Why does SACS fail to return licenses?

Please check the license mode in the SACS License Explorer. If set to Manual License Mode, the program will not return licenses automatically when closing.

Please note that when SACS is open, licenses are held for a minimum of four minutes. This explains why some licenses used during an analysis do not return immediately unless the analysis itself takes longer than four minutes to complete. SACS 05.04.xx and earlier will also enforce this minimum duration even after the program is closed. SACS 05.05.xx now returns licenses immediately when closing.

If SACS still fails to return licenses even when set to Automatic License Mode, please refer to the Structural Products Licensing FAQ for further assistance.

I have licenses locked to my computer. Why does SACS keep returning them?

Please check the license mode in the SACS License Explorer. If set to Automatic License Mode, the program will automatically return all SACS licenses when closes. This includes licenses retrieved from outside the program (such as the License Management Tool).

See Also

[[Product Activation TechNotes and FAQs]]

Yeah, I guess that brings up a nother level where I'm confused...  I see on my license file that I have a passport for every seat of MicroStation, but I understand that Bentley has changed this.  During my SELECT renewal this year, I am now noticing that I'm being charged for Passports even though the quantity that may be used definately do not exceed our MicroStation seats.  As the administrator, I'm concerned that I have no control of my staff using something like clash detection and aquiring a passport that was never approved to be purchased...

Maybe I'm still missing something.  I've had enough discussions with my account manager where I feel imbarased that I don't completely understand.

Daryl decided to take advantage of SELECTserver  OnLine.  I believe the underlying technical problem was permissions to the database.  

Some typical reasons for this are:

• Used the wrong SQL instance.  SQL server can have many database instances running on a server each with their own name.  technet.microsoft.com/.../hh231298.aspx
   
• Did not elevate SELECTserver Database Setup when setting up database connection – When you don’t run the tool as the administrator on Windows 7 or higher, UAC  may prevent you from reading and writing where everyone including services to see it.
   
• Database instance not running.
   
• Don’t have permissions to the database.
   
• Database port blocked.

[quote user="Nico Roman"]

There are no silent means of activating Geopak..Once the user activates the first time and gets the license running, the program will auto activate on consequent sessions. You can set a config variable gpk_noautoactivate=1

This will prevent Geopak from activating automatically.  If the user wants to use Geopak, he needs to go activate it.  It should remember all the licensing information (if not, make sure that the send logs command is performed in the license management tool.

[/quote]

The issue here in anut shell is dealing with the Operating System and the actual user permissions. The short version isi this

• We found that the user was using Group Policies (GPO) to push the server name and activation keys to the client
  Information is saved in the HK_LOCAL _MACHINE registry keys by the definitions in the GPO
• When the user logs in the user information is kept in the HK_CURRENT_USER by design. The system is basically out of sync.
• We Removed the registry information from the HK_CURRENT _USER keys and gave the user permissions to update its information in the
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > software > bentley registry location and activated the user's applications

Now that the application and the user are looking and updateing the same location the activation informationbeing applied by the GPO is found and valid. Some general rules to follow are include in the link below.

Activation of Client Side Products and Registry Basics
http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/activation-of-client-side-products-and-registry-basics.aspx

Select Services User Permissions

If you are the SELECT Administrator at your site, the User Permissions area lets you view or edit permission levels for all the users at your site. A list of the site administrators is also provided for general users, so you can view who you
need to contact about your current permission levels.

Video:How do I review and edit User Permissions?

Video:How do I add a user to the SELECTservices site?

1. From the Start menu, choose All Programs, and then choose Accessories.Right-click Command Prompt, and then choose Run as administrator.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command to change to the Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319 folder, and then press Enter.
   cd\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319
3. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press Enter.
   aspnet_regiis.exe -iru
4. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press Enter.
   iisreset

This error can occur when there are multiple versions of the .NET Framework on the computer that is running IIS, and IIS was installed after .NET Framework 4.0 or before .NET 4.0 was registered.

The server name is no longer a requirement to install the SELECTserver application. The important items would be the SERIAL NUMBER, SERVER ACTIVATIO KEY and the SITE ACTIVATION KEY. You can use the same information provided for the previous SELECTServer installed on the now defunct server.

Please review the link below.

How to Install the SELECTserver application
http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/how-to-install-the-selectserver-application.aspx

How to Install the SELECTserver application

Please ensure that you are familiar with the information below

Deployed SELECTserver Technical Requirements http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/3099.aspx

Deployed SELECTserver Knowledge Requirements http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/deployed-selectserver-knowledge-requirements-tn.aspx

Database Setup Tool Configuration and Explanation http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/7018.aspx

You will need the following information available to you to get started.

• The previously provided user name and password to access the download site.
  (Every site has an administrator who has this access information.)
  
  
• The Serial Number, server Activation key and Site Activation key.
  (Please contact the Product Activation Group if you do not havethis information on hand. You cannot complete the installation process without it.)

• Administrator privileges to the installing server

I would highly recommend that you download and install the latest release of the SELECTserver application. Currently it is version number 09.00.00.113 an available from our SELECTservices website. Ensure that you get the version that matches your Operating system either 32 or 64 bits. They are clearly marked. Unpack the downloaded executable. By default it goes into the following directory

“C:\BentleyDownloads\SELECTserver_09.00.00.113”

The name may vary to the proper version number for the specific build. In sided this directory you will find a SELECTserverHelp.pdf file. There is an Installation Guide section that will walk you through the process.

The SELECTserver application requires a Microsoft Administrator skill set. Many of the prerequisite components are Microsoft components that the SELECTserver application “makes use of” but does not control. These components must be in place and functional for smooth and successful installation process. If this seems a bit over whelming I would recommend that you look into using our SELECTserver Online options. Basically internet access is required and all of the items discussed in this article are managed by Bentley’s It department not yours.

SELECTserver Online Technical Requirements: http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/6793.aspx

You can also download the SELECTserverHelp.PDf file from the link below. http://communities.bentley.com/members/james-white-_2800_tsg_2900_/files/selectserverhelp.pdf.aspx

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

Comments or Corrections?

Bentley's Technical Support Group requests that you please submit any comments you have on this Wiki article in the "Comments" area below. THANK YOU!

Q: Could not load type 'System.ServiceModel.Activation.HttpModule' from assembly 'System.ServiceModel...' by Phil Conard

When browsing to the SELECTserver Administration site, the site displays an error

Server error in /BSS application

Could not load type 'System.ServiceModel.Activation.HttpModule' from assembly 'System.ServiceModel, Version=3.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089

A: Re: Could not load type 'System.ServiceModel.Activation.HttpModule' from assembly 'System.ServiceModel...' by Phil Conard

1. From the Start menu, choose All Programs, and then choose Accessories.Right-click Command Prompt, and then choose Run as administrator.
2. At the command prompt, type the following command to change to the Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319 folder, and then press Enter.
   cd\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319
3. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press Enter.
   aspnet_regiis.exe -iru
4. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press Enter.
   iisreset

This error can occur when there are multiple versions of the .NET Framework on the computer that is running IIS, and IIS was installed after .NET Framework 4.0 or before .NET 4.0 was registered.

Referenced to the SELECTserver requirements, Windows Small Business server editions are not listed (supported.) For a list of supported operating systems, please use link below:

http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/3099.aspx

Overview

Product Activation is the act of authenticating a product for entitled use.  If you need assistance activating, please see Product Activation.  If you have any trouble activating, please proceed.

If at any point during the below troubleshooting steps you find you need further assistance, please feel free to post to the Community Forum.

Troubleshooting

1. Be sure you have a basic internet connection and can access a website, or a network connection if you are   
    Deployed.

2. Make sure you can access the administration page for SELECTserver:

• Hosted: http://selectserver.bentley.com/bss/admin/default.aspx
• Deployed:  http://yourservername/bss/admin/default.aspx
  * where "yourservername" is the name of the machine where the SELECTserver software is installed"

3. Once on the Administration Site,  Navigate to "License Management" section and select "View License File."
     
    From this page, confirm the following:

• The SELECTserver has licenses available for the product in question
• The license has a valid expiration date within term of the SELECT Contract

4. From the client workstation where the software is installed, open the License Management Tool.

    From within the License Management Tool, go to the "Tools" menu and select "Options."  
   

    Here confirm or correct the server name and site activation key.

• Due to the length of the site activation key, it is recommended that each user copy and paste the information directly into the license management tool.
• Make sure there are no leading or trailing spaces in either the Server Name or Site Activation Key fields.
• The characters used in the Site Activation Key should all be in CAPS, and the letter “O” is not used, if you see a round character, it is a zero.

     Click "Test Connection". You should get a message stating “SELECT Server and Activation key verified.
   

    You could also get the following messages:

• “An error has occurred while attempting to verify the server and activation key” - This means the server specified could not be reached.

• Check if there are any firewalls that may be preventing the connection to the server. All Communication with the license server is via port 80.
• If license fails to verify, try checking off “Use HTTPS” under protocol, your network may require it.

• “Server does not support this activation key” - This means s connection to the server specified was able to be made, but the Site Activation Key is incorrect. 

• Return to the previous step to confirm Server Name and Site Activation Key.

5. Try forcing a connection from the License Management Tool.  From within the License Management Tool, go to the "Tools" menu and select "Send Logs Now."  This forces the workstation to re-establish connection with the server.  Repeat up to three times.

6. Try to activate on another machine.  If another machine can establish a connection, you'll need to troubleshoot what the difference may be between the computers. 

Again, if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact Licensing by posting to the SELECTserver and Product Activation Forum.

If RAM Elements is installed before the Bentley IEG License Service, you can fix the shortcut to the License Management Tool by performing a repair of RAM Elements via the Add or Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows Vista/7/8) control panel.

Basic install Internet Information Services (IIS)

    Internet Information Services (IIS) is a Microsoft utility developed and maintained by the Microsoft Corporation. All information here is obtained from Microsoft documentation. The Bentley SELECTserver application is a web application that functions inside of the IIS utility and this utility must be functional before the SELECTServer application is installed. The SELECTserver application only needs some basic IIS settings. This will cover only the basic settings. If you feel this information is a bit overwhelming you should consider taking advantage of the SELECTServer On-line option offered by Bentley Systems.

SELECTserver Online Technical Requirements http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/6793.aspx

Advantages of Using the HOSTED (Online) Server http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/b/licensing_blog/archive/2011/01/14/bringing-in-the-money-using-the-bentley-hosted-server.aspx

    Before you begin please ensure that you have administrative usage rights on the server where you plan to install IIS7. By default, you do not have administrative user rights if you are logged on as a user other than as the built-in administrator, even if you were added to the local Administrators group on the computer (this is a new security feature in Windows Server 2008 called Local User Administrator).

It would be a redundant effort to rewrite all of the information from Microsoft so the link to their directions is below.

INSTALLING IIS on Windows Server 2008
http://www.iis.net/learn/install/installing-iis-7/installing-iis-7-and-above-on-windows-server-2008-or-windows-server-2008-r2

I do want to make a point with the images below of the choices I used for my ROLE SERVICES. These configurations allow me normal operations with my SELECTServer installation. I would recommend rebooting after an IIS installation. I have seen situations where parts of the operating system                 (like ASPNET) are unaware of the existence of the IIS and the two utilities fail to “connect”. A simple reboot allows the server configurations to propagate completely through the server and for the utilities to communicate properly. If the IIS utility had been previously installed and you were just installing the SELECTServer application a reboot would not be necessary. Remember the SELECTserver prerequisites requires a functional IIS for proper operation

BASIC IIS ROLES CONFIGURATIONS:

WEB SERVER:

APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT:

HEALTH AND DIAGNOSTICS:

SECURITY:

PERFORMANCE:

MANAGEMENT TOOLS:

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs
Licensing TechNotes and FAQs

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase
Bentley LEARN Server
SELECTservices page on Bentley website
TechNotes and FAQ archive

Comments or Corrections?

Bentley's Technical Support Group requests that you please confine any comments you have on this Wiki entry to this "Comments or Corrections?" section. THANK YOU!

Overview

When there is a change or update to your SELECTserver License, default settings on the SELECTserver accept these changes automatically once a day.  If you would like to accept changes sooner, you can force the SELECTserver to check for an update at anytime.  This TechNote will provide instructions for manually updating hte license file on a Deployed SELECTesrver. 

The license must be updated using the SELECTserver administration page. You can access that page by going to:

http://localhost/bss/admin/default.aspx - Can only be accessed if on the SELECTserver machine

or

http://yourservername/bss/admin/default.aspx - Can be accessed if on the same network as the SELECTserver
 

SELECTserver 09.00.xx.xx

Once on the administration page, locate the "License Management" from the top menu bar.  Click on the "Request/Update License."

Your Serial number and Activation key will already be listed in the dialog box. Check the Force Full Retrieval box and click OK.

Verify that the license is correct.

Once you have accepted your license update, you can verify your license by clicking on the 'View License File' tab.

SELECTserver 08.11.xx.xx or prior:

Once on the administration page, locate the "License Management" heading on the left navigation bar.  Click on the "Request/Update License."

Your Serial number and Activation key will already be listed in the dialog box. Check the Force Full Retrieval box and click OK.

Verify that the license is correct and click the accept button.

Once you have accepted your license update, you can verify your license by clicking on the 'View License File' tab on the left hand column.

See Also:

Activating Against a Locally Deployed SELECTserver [TN]

[quote user="john.lee"]

Referenced to the SELECTserver requirements, Windows Small Business server editions are not listed (supported.) For a list of supported operating systems, please use link below:

http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/3099.aspx

 [/quote]

I understand what the Small Business Server (SBS) operating system is at its core but that does not relieve the SBS system of the Domain Controller duties and that is the concern. The SBS servers contain a Domain Controller and installation is not supported on domain controllers. This change was made because the SELECTserver application works internally off of local accounts connected to ASPNET and IIS. The first thing a Domain Controller does is removes the local accounts crippling the application. Of course Microsoft has ways that you can reconfigure to achieve some functionality but they are Microsoft directions and administration not Bentley Systems’ and the process increased the difficulty of configuring and running the application successfully. The decision was made moving forward in the development of the application to drop support of the SELECTserver application on domain controllers. I would recommend that you install the application on a supported operating system or take advantage of the HOSTED option where the responsibilities of the configuration becomes that of the Bentley Systems IT department.

Supported Operating Systems - SELECTserver

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Web Edition (SP1) (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (SP1) (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (SP1) (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server 2003 R2 (SP1) (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows 2008 Server (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP2) (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Ultimate, Business (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows Vista Home, Home Premium (including 64 bit)
• Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Server All Additions
• Microsoft Windows 7 All Additions

NOTE: Installing SELECTserver on a domain controller is not supported.

Windows Small Business Server 2003 is not a supported operating system

Deployed
SELECTserver Technical Requirements

http://communities.bentley.com/products/licensing/w/licensing__wiki/3099.aspx

The specific information of concern from the Technical Requirements is directly below.

Supported Operating Systems - SELECTserver

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Web Edition (SP1) (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Standard Edition (SP1) (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Enterprise Edition (SP1) (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server 2003 R2 (SP1) (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows 2008 Server (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP2) (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise, Ultimate, Business (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows Vista Home, Home Premium (including 64 bit)

• Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Server All Additions

• Microsoft Windows 7 All Additions

NOTE: Installing SELECTserver on a domain controller is not supported.

I understand what the operating system is at its core but that does not relieve the system of the Domain Controller duties and that is the concern. The SBS servers contain a Domain Controller and installation is not supported on domain controllers. This change was made because the SELECTserver application works internally off of local accounts connected to ASPNET and IIS. The first thing a Domain Controller does is removes the local accounts crippling the application. Of course Microsoft has ways that you can reconfigure to achieve some functionality but they are Microsoft directions and administration not Bentley Systems’ and the process increased the difficulty of configuring and running the application successfully. The decision was made moving forward in the development of the application to drop support of the SELECTserver application on domain controllers. I would recommend that you install the application on a supported operating system or take advantage of the HOSTED option where the responsibilities of the configuration becomes that of the Bentley Systems IT department.

Updating licensing on a deployed SELECTServer will not cause users to exit their applications; SELECTserver does not maintain a real-time connection between the licensed application and the license server. SELECTserver is used primarily for tracking and reporting usage, not granting licenses or enforcing the right for an application to run.

 This article explains how to configure checkout restrictions on the SELECTserver administration site.

Background

The majority of Bentley products utilize trust licensing to activate products. With this licensing philosophy, workstations log product usage and periodically send the usage data to a license server. However, SELECTserver provides the ability to lock or "check out" a license to a workstation for a specified duration. Checkouts are required for the following situations:

1. A product will be used apart from a network connection for more than 30 days.
2. A product license resides on a non-SELECT account. The sharing of licenses (i.e. pooled licensing) is a SELECT benefit. So licenses must be checked out to a workstation instead.
3. A product is licensed using the Bentley IEG License Service which utilizes automatic license checkouts instead of trust licensing.

Apart from the situations mentioned above, license checkouts are discouraged because they can potentially inflate usage statistics, especially if a user forgets to check in a license that is no longer needed.

Fortunately, SELECTserver provides the ability to restrict the licenses available for check out.

Important: For users of SELECTserver OnLine, Bentley's licensing solution over the Internet, a Bentley login with the Site Administrator role is required to complete the steps below.

Steps to Accomplish

Option 1 Restrict specific licenses using the Checkout Restrictions page

1. Access the SELECTserver administrator site.

2. Locate the navigation bar along the top, and select Checkout Restrictions from the Site Configuration drop-down menu.

3. Select the radio button labeled "Apply Checkout Restrictions" if not already selected. This will enable the product list immediately below it.

4. Select specific products to restrict by enabling the checkboxes on the left, and then select Disable from the drop-down menu just above the list.

5. The value in the Status column will change from Enabled to Disabled.

Products will still activate and log usage as before. The Checkout Restrictions simply prevent licenses from being checked out via the Product Activation Wizard or License Management Tool.

Important: Products that utilize the Bentley IEG License Service require license checkouts to function. These licenses should not be restricted. Please visit How products that use the Bentley IEG License Service are licensed for a list of affected products.

Option 2 Disable license checkouts completely

1. Access the SELECTserver administration site.

2. Locate the navigation bar along the top, and select Site Settings from the Site Configuration drop-down menu.

3. Locate the Checkout Settings section, and uncheck the checkbox labeled "Enable clients to check out licenses."

4. Click the Apply button in the upper right to save changes.

Products will still activate and log usage as before. The Checkout Restrictions simply prevent licenses from being checked out via the Product Activation Wizard or License Management Tool.

Important: Products that utilize the Bentley IEG License Service require license checkouts to function. These licenses should not be restricted. Please visit How products that use the Bentley IEG License Service are licensed for a list of affected products.

See Also

[[SELECTserver TechNotes and FAQs]]

Respected Bentley Team,

Thank you very much.

I am able to generate the report of various user's usage.

Thank u once again.