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MathWorks network license manager

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This article is about the FlexNet-based network license manager that serves MathWorks Concurrent and Network Named User licences, including licence files, options files, timeouts and license borrowing.

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The MathWorks network license manager is the license server software that controls access to MathWorks products under Concurrent and Network Named User licences. Organisations may hold a mix of individual and network licences, but network licences must be managed by a network license manager. It can run on a dedicated license server or in the cloud.[1] MathWorks uses a network license manager program from Flexera Software. Customers can also copy the MathWorks license management daemons into an existing license management scheme.[2] The licence file, options file and usage reports of this license manager are the main records for a MathWorks network licence position.

Editions

The license manager is the same for both network options. What differs is how access is controlled:

  • Concurrent. Users check out a key when they start MATLAB or use another product. When all keys for a product are checked out, further requests are denied.[2]
  • Network Named User. The license manager options file identifies the specific Named Users who have right-to-use privileges.[3]

Campus-Wide Licenses also use the license manager. Their Concurrent licences cover MATLAB in high-performance computing centres, MATLAB Parallel Server, MATLAB Production Server and MATLAB Web App Server.[10] Catalog: Concurrent and Network Named User licences need a license server.

The license manager runs on current Windows, macOS and Linux server releases, on any Intel or AMD x86-64 processor, with 25 MB of disk space and 512 MB of RAM.[6]

Metrics

The licence file

The network licence file is a formatted text file containing encrypted passcodes for each product the organisation may run. Each product passcode states the number of keys available for that product.[4] Every product has an INCREMENT line naming the product, the vendor daemon (MLM), a version, an expiry date and the number of keys. A VENDOR_STRING records licence attributes. The MathWorks example shows lo=CN for a Concurrent licence, and adds BORROW=720 when borrowing is enabled.[4] Comment lines carry the licence number and the license server host ID.[4] Catalog: Concurrent licences are counted by checked-out keys.

On the server, the installer copies the downloaded file to license.dat and adds the SERVER line (server name, host ID and port) and the DAEMON line. On each client it creates network.lic, which keeps only the SERVER line and a USE_SERVER statement.[4] To get the licence file, the administrator must give MathWorks the host ID of the computer that will run the license manager.[2]

For a licence manager, the INCREMENT lines are the entitlement record. They give the quantity of each product, its expiry for term licences, and the release version the keys cover.

The options file

The options file (MLM.opt) is a text file of license manager statements such as INCLUDE, EXCLUDE, GROUP, RESERVE and HOST_GROUP. It is separate from the licence file, which holds the passcodes.[3] For a Network Named User licence, the installer creates an options template with an INCLUDE line for each product. It fills in the name of the person who ran the installation, and the administrator must replace that name with the licensed users. Users can be listed one INCLUDE line at a time or collected into a GROUP. The number of users must not exceed the license keys available for the product.[3] Catalog: Network Named Users must be listed and may not exceed keys.

Counting / floors

Peak use. For Concurrent licences the quantity to compare against entitlement is the number of keys checked out at the same time for each product. MathWorks documents the FlexNet lmutil lmstat command and the Windows LMTOOLS application for querying the license server. For each product they show the total licences issued and the number currently in use.[5] Because the license manager refuses requests beyond the key count, a Concurrent licence cannot be over-used through checkouts. The compliance questions are instead whether the users and locations are eligible, for example for academic or regional restrictions, and whether the server is used only as licensed.

Idle timeout. Concurrent keys held by idle sessions can be released with the TIMEOUT option in the options file. The timeout is set for MATLAB only, because separate values cannot be set for individual products such as toolboxes. The minimum is 4 hours (14,400 seconds), and smaller values are raised to the minimum. After a timeout the MATLAB session stays open, and MATLAB checks a key out again when the user resumes.[2] Catalog: Idle Concurrent keys can be released after at least 4 hours.

Mixed maintenance. If only some keys on a Concurrent or Network Named User licence lapse out of Software Maintenance Service, MathWorks may need to issue a custom licence file with an accurate count of keys at each release.[8] Catalog: Perpetual products out of maintenance stay usable at licensed releases.

Floors. The public documentation sets no minimum number of keys.

License borrowing

License borrowing lets a user take keys away from the network and keep using the products until the borrow period ends. Commercial Concurrent and Network Named User licences can borrow, for a maximum of 30 days (720 hours). The products must be installed on the client computer.[5] Campus-Wide licences, including their Concurrent licences, cannot borrow.[5] Borrowing must be enabled by MathWorks at the administrator’s request, after which a new licence file is issued with BORROW=720 on its INCREMENT lines. The value cannot be changed.[5] Users can borrow selected products for 1 to 30 days, or turn on automatic borrowing, and can return borrowed licences early.[5] In status reports, a borrowed key shows the keyword linger with the borrow period in seconds. MathWorks notes that MATLAB Compiler may show linger even when it is not borrowed.[5] Catalog: License borrowing: commercial network licences, up to 30 days.

Virtualization & partitioning

The license manager can run on a virtual machine, and MathWorks documents installing it on one for use with AWS or Azure.[1] Licence files are bound to the host ID of the license server.[2] Moving the server therefore means changing the SERVER line or getting a new licence file.[4] A Windows license server can serve Linux or macOS clients, and the reverse.[2]

Cloud / BYOL

Administrators can connect MATLAB running in the cloud to an existing on-premises license manager, run the license manager on a separate virtual machine, or run it in the cloud using MathWorks reference architectures for AWS and Azure.[7] MathWorks notes that a network licence may be eligible for online licensing, which simplifies cloud use.[7] A Network License Manager Container is also available on GitHub.[1] See MathWorks cloud, MATLAB Online and Parallel Server licensing.

Programs

The license manager is not sold separately. It comes with every network licence. Licences are grouped under a Master License for administration and renewal.[9]

Out of scope

This page does not cover Individual and Designated Computer licences, which do not need a license server (see MATLAB and Simulink licence options), or general FlexNet administration beyond the MathWorks documentation.

References

  1. Administer Concurrent and Network Named User LicensesHelp Center, R2026bRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  2. Concurrent License AdministrationHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Concurrent License AdministrationRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  3. Network Named User License AdministrationHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Network Named User License AdministrationRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  4. Update or Modify Network License FilesHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Update or Modify Network License FilesRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  5. Borrow LicensesHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Borrow LicensesRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  6. MATLAB License Manager RequirementsSupported platforms and hardware for the license manager. UndatedRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  7. Configure License Manager for MATLAB on Cloud PlatformsHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Configure License Manager for MATLAB on Cloud PlatformsRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  8. How do I use MATLAB licenses or products that are out of maintenance or discontinued?MathWorks Support Team answer, edited 2021-01-20. Catalog: How do I use MATLAB licenses or products that are out of maintenance or discontinued?Effective 2021-01-20. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
  9. Administering Organizational LicensesHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Administering Organizational LicensesRetrieved 2026-10-02.
  10. Plan Your Campus-Wide License DeploymentHelp Center, R2026b. Catalog: Plan Your Campus-Wide License DeploymentRetrieved 2026-10-02.

See also

Catalog Rows Cited

2Metrics6Rules1Programs

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