If the Dongle License Server (DLS) is on the same Local Area Network (LAN) as the computer running the badging software, then no specific set-up is needed at the badging station to access the DLS. The badging security system uses a broadcast system to determine where any DLS systems are located. Note that it will find any DLS on the LAN that has a valid dongle and available licenses.
If the DLS is not on the LAN, or if you would like to direct LAN requests to a particular server, then you can define the IP address that the badging station should use to locate a license. This can be done on either of two ways; one is by setting an environment variable and the other is to edit an XML file.
It may be desirable to use this technique even on a LAN, as it eliminates the requirement for broadcast messages and can speed up access to the DLS.
To set up the badging station to point to a specific DLS, use either one of these methods (if you use both, method 2 will take precedence):
1.
Environment Variable
Set the
environment variable NSP_HOST to the IP address or domain name of the DSL.
If you use a domain name it must be resolvable to an IP. On most Windows®
systems an environment variable is set using these steps:
Go to Control
Panel
Select System
Select the Advanced tab
Click the Environment Variables button
In the
System Variables section click
New
In the Name box enter NSP_HOST
In the Value box enter the IP or domain name of
the DSL
Click OK as needed to
complete the operation
You may need to have System Administrator privileges to
complete this process.
2.
XML Configuration File
This
file is called SNTLCONFIG.XML and
is located in the same directory as the badging program executable is
located. This is normally in the Program Files folder on drive C under Badging. If you move it from the
installed location it will not provide the desired functionality. It is
necessary to edit this file to add the IP or domain name of the DSL server and
System Administrator privileges
may be necessary to accomplish this. Edit this file using a simple editor
program such as NOTEPAD and put
the IP or domain address of the DSL between the
<AccessMode></AccessMode> tags. For
example:
<AccessMode>
123.456.789.123
</AccessMode>
or
<AccessMode>
mydongleserver.mydomain.com
</AccessMode>
It is not necessary to enter data anywhere else in
this file. However, if you have a poor or slow Internet connection then
you may wish to try a longer heartbeat time by setting a suitable value between
the HeartBeat tags. The default is 120 seconds. A symptom that this
might be necessary is if the badging software loses access to the DSL during
normal operation.
The DSL is accessed using port 6001 and the UDP
protocol. When the software is installed on the DSL a hole in the Windows
firewall is automatically created for this service. But if there are any
intervening firewalls between the badging station and the DSL then access to
that port using that protocol must be provided.