SMS: How to Use Software Metering in Online Mode to Force License Verification

The Software Metering component of Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 (SMS) has two different modes of operation, Offline mode and Online mode. Offline mode is a passive operation that provides a list of applications that have been executed by participating clients. In Online mode, the Administrator configures the Software Metering server to restrict clients to specified applications by a limited user group, machine, or preset number of allowed licenses throughout all participating clients. For clients to work in Online mode, you need to set up several specific configurations. Please see the "More Information" section of this article to review these configurations.

For clients to work in Online mode, it is essential to have a functional and healthy SMS 2.0 site with Software Metering installed. In addition, you should enable the server side of Software Metering prior to configuring the client component. For more information on this, refer to Chapter 14, "Metering Software" in the SMS Administrator's Guide.

NOTE: Before enabling the Force real-time license verification option, the client is in an Online mode. This can cause a much higher use of network bandwidth, as well as client and server processor use.

To Enable the Software Metering Client Agent and Configure the "Force Real-Time License Verification" Option

1. In the SMS Administrator Console, navigate to:
   Systems Management Server\Site Database (site code - site name)\Site Hierarchy\site code - site name\Site Settings\Client Agents
2. On the General tab, click to select both of the following options:
   Enable software metering on clients
   Force real-time license verification
3. Open the Software Metering Tool by navigating to:
   Systems Management Server\Site Database (site code - site name)\Site Hierarchy\Tools\Software Metering
4. Right-click All Tasks, and then click Start Software Metering.
   
   This starts the Software Metering configuration tool, which allows you to designate the applications on which you would like to actively force verification.
5. In the Metered Software window, click the New icon.
6. Use Create New, click the browse button (...) at the end of the Program Name line, and then select an application to register.
   
   This fills in the Product Name, Version, and other relevant fields used to compare against the client-executed program in real time.
7. Change the Number of licenses to the number you would like to run simultaneously, and then click to select the Enforce the license limits for this product box.

NOTE: Some programs could be renamed from what is stored in the header of their executable file, so it may be necessary to add aliases for particular registered applications. You can do this after the application is registered by double-clicking the application to reopen it in the Licensed software window and using the Aliases button to add the other possible file names.

For a more effective method of registering applications, use unlicensed information from the Summary->Unlicensed Programs window and simply right-click the executable file. Click Register and follow the steps listed above for setting and enforcing the number of licenses.

To Set the Polling Interval

When you first register programs, it takes the amount of time specified in the polling intervals before the server updates its local cache. When the server updates its local cache, the license verification will then be enforced on the client. You can configure the polling intervals by navigating to this location: From there, click the Local tab, and then configure the Site management schedule. The default is every one hour.

For more information, refer to Chapter 14, "Metering Software" in the SMS 2.0 Administrators Guide and Chapter 22, "Software Metering Flowcharts" in the SMS 2.0 Resource Guide.