Trimble Business Center

Was wondering what the general consensus for the server setup is for a network key. I am in the process of buying a server for a new network copy of HCE. But not sure what I need.  I don't want to come up short in my specs, but don't want to spend more than I need to.

I travel a lot and the idea would be to check out the license on my laptop when I am on the road and run the application on the server when I am at home. 

Is any set something up like this?  What did you end up going with?  Can I configure a windows 10 pro machine as a server?   I have setup and build several standalone computers but never delved in to servers. Any help is much appreciated. 

Hello Paul,

To answer, we need a bit more information. It sounds like you might be trying to put together a server/desktop PC to run Business Center - HCE, but not to manage network licenses. Is that right? 

To run BC-HCE, please refer to the system requirements documented in the latest Release Notes, which you can find under Featured Content in this community. The program supports Windows 7, 8, and 10, but Windows Server operating systems are not supported. For setting up a standalone server to manage network licenses, you should be able to install on any Microsoft-supported Windows OS. You may also find helpful information in the Network Licensing Read Me and Enterprise Deployment guide, both of which are posted in the community as well.

David

The license server can run on any computer on the network that stays on all the time.  When other users on the network start BC-HCE then the license is found on the server.  This helps manage multiple users with a single license having multiple seats.  Some users dedicate an old laptop with minimum specifications.  BC-HCE is not a server application.  You don't install it on a server and then use the memory and processor of the server to allow multiple users to run the program to take advantage of the server specs.  You can install the program on a network and then treat the installation just as you would any other hard drive.  When you run the program it starts from the hard drive but uses the memory, processor and graphics processor of the computer where you start the program.

Thanks for the responses David & Tim.   Tim you are hitting on what I want to do.  I was thinking I needed a sever to run the network license and be able to share between different computers running the TBC core.  Which it appears I don't.  My ideal setup would be a workstation at my home office that I would place the network key on.  When I travel I would log onto my home network and check out a license onto my laptop.   

This would allow me to utilize the home workstation for more processor intense work but still have access to my full license on the road without packing around a larger laptop. 

Their are 2 questions I have not been able to find the answer to:

1) How do you release a checked out license before it expires?  I tried experimenting with this and was able to check out the license but could not find an option to release it. 

2) Can I log into my network remotely and be able to check/release a license? 

My reasoning for these questions is I have some one helping me part time with data prep on models and takeoffs and if I am away I need to be able to checkout and release a license remotely. 

Thanks for the help. 

Paul