Overview
The FrontRow Calypso L/U Service manages licensing and software updates for supported FrontRow software applications:- Eliminate the need to individually license each copy of a client app, e.g. Encore!
- Enables floating network licenses, so you only need to obtain the number of licenses sufficient to cover the application copies in simultaneous use rather than for every installed copy.
- Manage licenses in multiple sites or zones.
- Automatically deploy updated project files.
- Automatically deploy application updates.
The licensing and software update services are designed to work together with the Encore! Installer Creator utility. The utility includes options to define the location of the FrontRow Calypso L/U Service on your network, and whether software updates are available.
Licensing
Previously you needed to install a license/registration code on each PC where the application was to be run. Each code was specific to that machine, and could not be transferred if that computer was moved or replaced. With the licensing service, you are licensing the ability to run a defined number of copies of a client app simultaneously. The number of copies you can run is defined in a license file, obtained from FrontRow. The license grants you the right to run up to that many copies of the client app simultaneously, and it does not matter which computers are used. This is often called a floating network license scheme.
When a copy of a client application is started it will contact the FrontRow Calypso L/U Service and requests a license lease. A lease gives the app permission to run in unrestricted mode, where all its functions are available. If the service has not yet allocated all the leases available, it gives the app permission. Otherwise, if the number of simultaneous copies of the app has been reached, the app will not obtain a lease and will run in its demo/trial mode.
When a running copy of a client application is closed, it returns its license lease to the FrontRow Calypso L/U Service. This immediately frees up that lease, and enables the next copy of that app to run if the lease limit had been reached.
You can add additional licenses at any time. There can only be a single license installed for each combination of License Authorization and Product. If you need more licenses of a particular product, for a particular License Authorization, please contact FrontRow to obtain a new license with an increased license count.
Software Updates
The software update mechanism allows you to roll out updates to the supported applications and, for Encore!, also allows project files to be updated. When a supported app starts, and if it successfully obtains a license lease, it will then ask the service whether any software updates are available. If an update is available, the app will download the update and automatically install it. The running copy of the app will exit and the new version will start. The installation processes is very quick, taking only a few seconds, and does not require any input from the user.