Get an On-premises License Seat in Private Networks

Important Notice for VirtServer 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 you with smooth transition strategies. For additional support, log a request with our SmartBear Support.Migration Process

For more information and timelines, refer to the File-based License End-of-Support Policy page.

About

SmartBear offers a special license type – on-premises – that can be used on computers with no access to the SmartBear license servers. The word on-premises means the license is controlled by the licensing subsystems on your side, not by SmartBear license servers available online.

To use an on-premises license, you can install the On-Premises License Server in your network. VirtServer will connect to this server and consume license seats from it. Below is a step-by-step instruction on this. If you are a licensed user (the person who will run and use VirtServer), you will need assistance from your license administrator to perform some steps.

License Administrator actions

  1. Log in to the SmartBear Licensing Portal with your license administrator account.

  2. Download, install, and configure the On-Premises License Server in your network. This server acts as your local Licensing Portal and operates separately from the SmartBear Licensing Portal, which connects to the internet.

    Important

    Your license must have no users assigned to it. Unassign all users before requesting conversion.

  3. To download the license, click Export License to On-premise License Server.

    Screenshot of SmartBear License Management showing a ReadyAPI VirtServer floating subscription license. A tooltip is visible over the export button, labeled "Export License to On-Premise License Server."

    Note

    If you do not have an On-Premises License Server installed, click download and follow the on-screen instructions, or download it from the SmartBear Administration Downloads page.

    Screenshot of SmartBear License Management showing the Export License to On-Premise License Server dialog for ReadyAPI VirtServer. The instructions list four steps. Step 1 is highlighted: “If you don’t have the On-Premise License Server in your network, download and install it.” This emphasizes the action to download the required On-Premise License Server installer before continuing. The license details, subscription expiry, and seat count are shown at the top, and a disabled “Download L
    Screenshot of the Export License to On-Premise License Server dialog for ReadyAPI VirtServer. The instructions show Step 1: “If you don’t have the On-Premise License Server in your network, download and install it.” The download link is expanded, displaying a dropdown menu with options: “Installer for Windows” and “Installer for Linux.” A cursor highlights the Windows option, emphasizing the choice of installer for downloading and installing the On-Premise License Server.

  4. After installation, open the server in a browser at: http://localhost:40892/#.

  5. Log in with the System_admin account and select Add License in the On-Premises License Server.

    Note

    If this is your first login, create a password before proceeding.

    Add License

  6. Copy server fingerprint data to the clipboard or download it as a file.

    Fingerprint Data

    The system downloads the fingerprint to your local machine.

    Fingerprint Machine

  7. Return to the SmartBear Licensing Portal and click Export license to on-premise license server.

    Screenshot of SmartBear License Management showing a ReadyAPI VirtServer floating subscription license. The cursor hovers over the export icon, with a tooltip visible that says “Export License to On-Premise License Server.” This highlights the step where a user initiates the license export to set up the On-Premise License Server.

    Note

    If the Export License to On-Premise License Server option is not visible, enable it in Customer Settings.

    Screenshot of SmartBear License Management showing a ReadyAPI VirtServer floating subscription license. The table lists license number, expiration date, allowed concurrent users, idle time, and license status. At the top, the cursor hovers over the “Edit Customer Settings” icon, and a tooltip with the same label is visible, highlighting where a user can access and adjust customer settings.
    Screenshot of the Customer Settings dialog in SmartBear License Management. Two toggle switches are shown: “Offline License Available” and “On-Premise Export Available,” both turned on. At the bottom, the dialog includes “Cancel” and a disabled “Apply” button.

  8. Add the server fingerprint data and click Download License File.

    Screenshot of the Export License to On-Premise License Server dialog for ReadyAPI VirtServer. The instructions guide the user through four steps. Step 3 is completed, showing a file named “server-fingerprint.dat” uploaded. Step 4 is highlighted with the “Download License File” button now active, prompting the user to download the generated license file and apply it to the On-Premise License Server.

    The license gets exported.

    License Exported

  9. Return to the On-Premises License Server and click Add License.

    Add License

  10. Drag the downloaded license file into the upload area, or click select it to browse for the file. Then click Add License to confirm.

    Select License File

    You receive a notification that the license has been successfully added.

    Screenshot of a confirmation dialog in SmartBear License Management. The message “License Has Been Added Successfully” is displayed. The note instructs the admin to assign the license seats to users. A “Close” button is available at the bottom.

  11. Choose how the server authenticates users and assigns license seats. The options are:

    • Access for Everyone: no authentication required.

    • LDAP or Kerberos: authentication required.

    If authentication is enabled, VirtServer users must add an access key in the license installation panel. For details, see Configure On-Premise License Manager | License Management Documentation.

    Screenshot of SmartBear License Management showing a ReadyAPI VirtServer floating subscription license. The license details include license number, expiration, allowed concurrent users, idle time, and status. The cursor hovers over the “Configure Settings” icon in the upper right, with a tooltip labeled “Configure Settings,” highlighting how to access server configuration options.
    Screenshot of the Configure Settings dialog in SmartBear License Management. The “General” tab is selected. The option “Access for Everyone” is toggled on, with a note in orange text explaining that enabling this allows users to access the server without authentication. LDAP and Kerberos settings are disabled when this option is active. “Close” and “Save” buttons are displayed at the bottom.

  12. If authentication is configured with LDAP or Kerberos, the license administrator must assign license to the VirtServerAdmin in one of the following ways:

    • Directly assign a VirtServer license to the VirtServer Admin, or

    • Share a license link from the On-Premises License Server, which the VirtServer Admin can click to accept.

    Screenshot of SmartBear License Management showing a floating subscription license for ReadyAPI Test, Performance, and Virtualization. The license number, expiration date, allowed concurrent users, and status “Not in use” are displayed. Under “Users,” the cursor hovers over the “Share License by Link” icon, with a tooltip visible. This highlights the option to share the license with others through a generated link.
    Screenshot of the Share License by Link dialog in SmartBear License Management. A unique invitation link is displayed, allowing anyone with the link to claim a license. The dialog includes options to delete the link, cancel, or copy the link to clipboard with the button “Copy to clipboard and close.” A help link labeled “More info about licenses” is also available.

  13. The user clicks on the link to accept the license.

    Screenshot of a license invitation dialog addressed to “system_admin.” The message states the user is entitled to use a ReadyAPI Test, ReadyAPI Performance, and ReadyAPI Virtualization Bundle floating user subscription license. Two buttons are shown at the bottom: “Accept” to confirm use of the license and “Cancel” to decline.

Note

The On-Premises License Server can manage multiple SmartBear licenses. If you already have it installed in your network, skip the download, installation, and configuration steps and proceed directly to converting and activating the license.

User actions

  1. Start VirtServer.

  2. Log in to the VirtServer WebUI.

    The login URL for VirtServer depends on where VirtServer is installed, but typically follows this format: https://localhost:9090/virtserver/#/.

  3. In the VirtServer WebUI, click the Admin tab, and then select License in the Administration section. Verify that no license is currently installed.

    Screenshot of the VirtServer Administration page with the License tab selected. The section “License Information” displays a message prompting the user to click Add License to install a new license or contact SmartBear Support to acquire one. A turquoise + Add License button is visible on the right side of the screen.

  4. Click Add License. The Install button remains disabled until you enter the required information.

  5. From the License Hosted dropdown, select the option that matches your setup:

    • SmartBear: Enter the access key obtained from the SmartBear License Management Portal. For complete information on obtaining the access key, see the Get Access Key in the SmartBear License Management documentation.

      Screenshot of the “Install SmartBear ID License” dialog in VirtServer. The dialog shows a dropdown field labeled “License Hosted,” set to SmartBear. Below, an empty text field labeled Access key is provided for entering a license key obtained from SmartBear License Management. Buttons for Cancel and a disabled Install option are at the bottom. A link labeled “Learn more about ID-based licensing” is visible below the form.

    • On-premise: Access for Everyone: Enter the license server address (for example: http://localhost:40892/ or http://192.168.1.20:40892/). The default port is 40892, but your administrator may specify another. Ensure the port is open.

      Dialog showing “Install SmartBear ID License” with License Hosted set to On-premise: Access for Everyone. The form includes a single field for entering the license server address and disabled Install and active Cancel buttons.

    • On-premise: Access Key: Enter the license server address and the access key. Your license administrator provides the key through the On-Premises License Portal.

      Dialog showing “Install SmartBear ID License” with License Hosted set to On-premise: Access Key. The form includes fields for license server address and access key, with disabled Install and active Cancel buttons.

    • On-premise: Client Credentials: Enter the license server address, Client ID, and Client Secret. Your license administrator provides these credentials through the On-Premises License Portal.

      Dialog showing “Install SmartBear ID License” with License Hosted set to On-premise: Client Credentials. The form includes fields for license server address, client ID, and client secret, with disabled Install and active Cancel buttons.

  6. After entering the required information, click Install.

    Note

    If authentication is required, ensure that the VirtServer Admin has already accepted the license or that the license administrator has already assigned the license.

    VirtServer connects to the specified License Server and consumes a license seat.

Note

  • License binding: An on-premises license is tied to the computer running the On-Premises License Server, not to individual user machines.

  • Single license limit: VirtServer supports only one license at a time. To install a new license, uninstall the existing one first. This applies to renewals, upgrades, and downgrades.

  • Trial licenses: If you are working with a trial license, you can install a new trial or your production license over an installed trial license. This is why you will see Install license shown when a trial license is installed.

  • Uninstalling a license: To remove the current license, follow the uninstall instructions.

  • Grace period: In the event of any connection issues with the on-prem license server or your license session is interrupted for some reason, we have introduced a grace period to ensure your tests can run without interruption. Grace period begins if the connection with the license server is lost or your license is uninstalled, and it keeps your virtual services running for up to 8 hours. If the connection with your license server or your license is not restored in this window, VirtServer uninstalls your license, and you must reinstall your license. You may need to engage with your license administrator to ensure you have a license available before you attempt another installation.

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