Check Out Floating Licenses on Headless Machines
Important Notice for ReadyAPI Customers
Starting from ReadyAPI 3.62.0, VirtServer 3.29.0, and TestEngine 1.34.0, SmartBear Product Family has fully deprecated file-based licenses and transitioned to the ID-based SmartBear License Management (SLM) system. Any customers still using file-based licenses must complete their migration to SLM by September 30, 2025.
From October 1, 2025, existing and activated file-based licenses will continue to work for some time. However, SmartBear will no longer generate new file-based licenses or support activation and deactivation of file-based licenses in ReadyAPI, VirtServer, or TestEngine. All new and updated licenses are now issued in SLM only.
All technical support for file-based licenses has now ceased, and SmartBear no longer maintains the file-based licensing system. Any access or service issues will result in service disruptions that we will not be able to restore.
If you have not completed the process of migrating, contact your Account Manager or SmartBear representative today. Our teams are ready to assist with smooth transition strategies. For additional support, log a request with our SmartBear Support, who are standing by to help.
For further information and timelines, refer to the File-Based License End-of-Life Policy page.
This topic describes how to consume a floating license from Protection! Licensing Server 5 that is compatible with ReadyAPI 3.3.1 and later. If you use an earlier version, see Check Out Floating Licenses on Headless Machines (Legacy).
You can apply floating licenses on headless machines by using a command-line license manager.
Requirements
Important
Before checking out a floating license on your machine, you need to install and configure the server on your computer or some machine in your local network. See Configure License Server 5.x for details.
Your computer must have access to the license server. Make sure your network's firewalls and proxies do not block access.
The machine where ReadyAPI is installed should be able to connect to the license server machine by using the IP address for which the license is issued. In most cases, it means that there should not be NATs, load balancers, and other intermediates that remap the IP address of the license server machine.
If you access the floating License Server through a firewall (for example, from a remote server or home), you will need to open port
443. Ask your system administrator for assistance, if needed.
Apply for license
Download the License Manager packaged application from the SmartBear website.
Note
The License Manager requires Java 12. You can use Java shipped with ReadyAPI or download the required version from https://jdk.java.net/archive/.
Run the License Manager
.bat(or.shon Linux and macOS) file with the-s <serverIP>:<Port>option:For example, if you use Java shipped with ReadyAPI, perform the following commands:
cd <ReadyAPI directory>\jre\bin <path to license manager>\license-manager.bat -s 127.0.0.1:443
If you use Java 12 installed in your operating system, perform the following command:
license-manager.bat -s 127.0.0.1:443
The License Manager will ask you what license information (ReadyAPI Test, ReadyAPI Performance, ReadyAPI Virtualization, VirtServer , or TestEngine) you want to check out. Specify the license by entering the relevant number.
The License Manager will check out the license from the license server and apply it.