SmartBear ID-based Licenses

Applies to TestLeft 15.40, last modified on March 17, 2022

This page is related to the new SmartBear ID-based licenses that we’ve introduced in TestLeft 14.9.
For information on regular key-based licenses that are also used in version 15.40.0, see Key-Based Licenses.

What is SmartBear ID?

SmartBear ID-based licenses are a new license type that we first started using in TestComplete 14.9. It is more reliable and convenient to use in comparison with the license type the previous product versions use. To make the transition smoother, we started giving new licenses to a limited number of TestLeft trial users. Existing customers continue getting the previous license types.

Why use a SmartBear ID and the new license management system?

  • You can easily manage your team’s product licenses through a centralized online portal.

  • You can install and use products in virtual and cloud environments, for instance, Amazon or Microsoft Azure (including Microsoft-hosted agents) without any restrictions. A static IP will not be needed.

  • You can install and use products in any physical network without any hardware restrictions.

Basics

  • To activate and use the product, you need to specify your SmartBear account (account or ID — an email and a password). If you don’t have it, you need to create one. We create an account (or ID) for you automatically when you are requesting a TestLeft trial on our website. You can also create it any time earlier or later.

    That ID is enough to use the product, there is no need to install any other license files or enter license keys.

  • When TestLeft starts for the first time after the installation, it asks you to specify your SmartBear account. After this, it connects to the SmartBear license servers (see below) and checks if your account has a license (or licenses) for TestLeft. If the license is found, it enables its functionality. TestLeft stores information on your SmartBear ID, so you don’t have to enter your credentials next time you start the product.

  • The ID-based activation can be used on any physical, virtual, or cloud computer.

    You can install the product on multiple machines, easily switch between them, and work under the same SmartBear account. To make a license available for usage on another computer, simply stop the product on your current machine.

    The number of allowed concurrent product instances is set by your license.

  • The new licenses are suitable for both individual and enterprise users. In the latter case, a license administrator (a person on your side) assigns the license seats to your teammates on the SmartBear Licensing Portal.

  • TestLeft supports a special command-line argument to allow using the licenses on headless machines and in CI/CD builds.

License subtypes

ID-based licenses can be Fixed User and Floating. The difference between them is in how the license seats are assigned and controlled. See the SmartBear Licensing Portal documentation for complete info.

Requirements

Currently, all the control over license use is performed by the SmartBear license servers available 24×7. The computer where you are running TestLeft must have permanent access to these servers. That is, the proxies and firewalls running in your network should allow connection to them:

  • https://manage.smartbear.com:443
  • https://api.slm.manage.smartbear.com:443

In case a network glitch happens, TestLeft is smart enough to understand the cause and to remain functioning long enough to let your system administrators fix the issue.

How to get a SmartBear ID

To try the new ID-based licenses, please contact our Customer Care team.

Use in private networks

If you work in private networks that are not connected to the global Web, you have to use the regular key-based licenses so far. If you get a SmartBear ID-based license, contact our Support Team or Sales Representative to get the appropriate key-based license file.

How do I use these licenses with TestLeft?

Can I use ID-based licenses on cloud and virtual machines?

Yes, but you need to choose a Floating license. Also, the cloud or virtual machine must have access to SmartBear license servers (see above).

Activate ID-based licensing during installation

Currently, TestLeft supports both ID-based and key-based licensing. To free users from selecting the license type and make the start for them easier, system administrators can activate the ID-based licensing mode during the product installation. When users start TestLeft, they will need to enter their SmartBear ID (email and password), after which they will be able to use the product.

To make the ID-based licensing the active licensing mode, run the TestLeft installer with the -SLM argument in its command line. The command below installs TestLeft in Silent mode and activates the ID-based licensing scheme:

TestLeft1540_Release.exe -SLM -silentmode

For more information on command-line arguments of the TestLeft installer, see Installing TestLeft in Silent Mode.

Managing licenses

You can manage your SmartBear ID and licenses on our License Management Portal:

https://manage.smartbear.com

Limitations

Currently, the SmartBear license management system is available as a cloud-hosted service only. This means that you need access to the SmartBear license servers via Internet.

If your network doesn’t have access to the Internet, use the regular key-based licenses. If your version of the product has the SmartBear ID-based license enabled by default, please contact our Customer Care team.

More info on licenses

For complete information on the SmartBear ID-based licenses, see our Licensing Portal Documentation.

Need assistance?

If you have questions or need assistance with the new licenses, please contact our Customer Care Team or Sales Representative:

If you contact the Sales Team via the web form, then when submitting your request, use the Sales Inquiry request type. This will help us process your request faster.

See Also

Installing and Licensing

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