Automation License Manager V6.0 SP5,
32-bit and 64-bit Edition 
The information in this readme is more up-to-date than information in other documents. Please read these notes carefully because they contain important information about the installation use of the product.
Siemens provides copy protection to some of its software. Protected programs can only be run when license keys or authorizations are available for the program or software package.
Table of Contents
1	What's new in Automation License Manager?
1.1	Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP3
1.2	Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP2
2	Automation License Manager
2.1	Introduction
2.2	Scope of Delivery
2.3	Hardware Requirements
2.4	Software Requirements
2.5	Additional Information
3	How to Transfer License Keys
3.1	Drag and Drop
3.2	Connect Computer
4	Upgrade
4.1	Upgrade Requirements
4.2	License Upgrade
5	Installation and Removal
5.1	How to Install the Automation License Manager
5.2	How to Remove the Automation License Manager
6	Additional Notes
6.1	Optimizing Hard Disks
6.2	Corrupt License Keys
6.3	Special Case: SIMATIC Logon Access Protection
6.4	Automation License Manager as License Key Server
6.5	Changing Compatibility Mode
6.6	Increased Security through Connection Settings
6.7	Rental License Keys and Changing the System Clock
7	Known Limitations
7.1	Canceling the License Key Transfer
 
1	What's new in Automation License Manager?
The Automation License Manager is a product by SIEMENS AG, Industry Automation division. It is used to manage license keys.
The Automation License Manager is delivered both as a 32-bit and 64-bit edition in a common setup. The currently supported operating systems are listed in paragraph 2.4. 
You will find the changes to the individual versions of the Automation License Manager listed below. 
1.1	Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP3
There is a new shortcut menu with which you can view all licenses on your computer, regardless of the actual physical storage location of these licenses. 
The display is only for your PC (own and connected computer).
Call the shortcut menu via "My Computer" > "Flat View".
1.2	Changes in Automation License Manager V6.0 SP2
Change of standard behavior for remote connections.
The standard behavior has been changed in so far as no remote connections are permitted after the installation. 
If you would like to use remote connections, you must explicitly permit these in the connection settings.

2	Automation License Manager
2.1	Introduction
The Automation License Manager is a product of SIEMENS AG Industry Automation Group. It is used to manage license keys. 
2.2	Scope of Delivery
The Automation License Manager is supplied within the framework of software products by the Siemens AG. 
License keys are provided with the respective software product on specially created data storage media. You have the option to purchase license keys from the SIEMENS AG as download in the Internet.
2.3	Hardware Requirements
You will need approximately 30 MB of space on your hard disk for the installation of the files. You will need additional space for the log database. 
2.4	Software Requirements
The 32-bit version of the Automation License Manager is a program which has been released for the following operating systems: 
•	MS Windows Server 2008 R2
•	MS Windows Server 2012 R2
•	MS Windows Server 2016
•	MS Windows 7
•	MS Windows 8.1 
•	MS Windows 10

The 64-bit version of the Automation License Manager has been released for the following operating systems: 
•	MS Windows Server 2008 R2 
•	MS Windows Server 2012 R2 
•	MS Windows Server 2016
•	MS Windows 7
•	MS Windows 8.1 
•	MS Windows 10

	Note
Operating system upgrades are not supported.	

2.5	Additional Information
You can search for floating license keys throughout your network using the Automation License Manager. Refer to the supplied online help for more detailed information about the features of the Automation License Manager.
3	How to Transfer License Keys
Use the Automation License Manager functions to transfer license keys that:
•	are not transferred during the setup of a product (for example, STEP 7), 
•	belong to licenses bought at a later time.

	Note
The easiest way to transfer the license keys is by drag and drop.	

3.1	Drag and Drop
1.	Select the view via the menu command View > Management.
2.	Open the storage location on the local or network computer to which you wish to transfer the license keys.
3.	Open the storage location on the local or network computer where you wish to remove the license keys.
4.	Select the license keys and drag them to the folder where you wish to save the license keys while keeping the left mouse button pressed. 
Result: The license keys are transferred.
3.2	Connect Computer 
With the Automation License Manager, you can only connect computers on the network on which the Automation License Manager is also installed. You do this with a right-click on "My Computer" in the navigation area and by selecting "Connect Computer" in the shortcut menu. A dialog is displayed, in which you can:
•	Specify the name of the computer you want to connect or
•	Browse the network for computers.
In the "Display Name" dialog box, enter the name under which the computer is to be displayed. Then click on "OK". The computer is now connected.

	Note
We highly recommend that you install the same version of the Automation License Manager on all computers involved.	
4	Upgrade
	Note
•	Please note that authorizations are no longer supported on 64-bit operating systems.	

4.1	Upgrade Requirements
Earlier License Key → New License Key
You require:
•	the CoL (Certificate of License) and the license key of the earlier version
•	the CoL (Certificate of License) and the upgrade license key of the target version

4.2	License Upgrade
The following steps show you how to upgrade a license key.
Proceed as follows:
1.	Select the view via the menu command View > Management.
2.	Transfer the License Keys of the previous version and the Upgrade License Keys to the hard disk on which the upgrade is to be performed.
3.	In the navigation area, select the location of the license key for which the upgrade is to be performed.
4.	Execute the menu command "License Key > Upgrade".
Result: The upgrade is executed.

5	Installation and Removal
5.1	How to Install the Automation License Manager
The Automation License Manager is installed with a user-guided setup program.

	Note
Close all other programs before you start the setup.	

5.2	How to Remove the Automation License Manager
The removal of the Automation License Managers must conform to the standard Windows routine for removing programs via Control Panel.
6	Additional Notes
6.1	Optimizing Hard Disks
A specially marked cluster is created on the target drive when you install a license key. Some disk utilities show this cluster as "bad." Do not attempt to recover this cluster.
If you use an optimization program that is capable of moving fixed blocks, you should first transfer the license keys from the hard disk to the license key diskette before using this option.
If a backup of your hard disk contains copies of license keys, there is the danger that restoring the disk from a backup will overwrite the currently valid license keys and destroy them. Due to this danger, we strongly recommend removing all license keys before performing the backup or explicitly exempting them from the backup.
Do not forget to remove the license keys before formatting, compressing or restoring your hard disk or installing a new operating system.
6.2	Corrupt License Keys
You cannot remove corrupt license keys from the Automation License Manager. Please contact the Hotline when this occurs. They can usually help you to recover such license keys.
You can find support in the Internet at http://support.automation.siemens.com
6.3	Special Case: SIMATIC Logon Access Protection
An installation of SIMATIC Logon is required for enabling the SIMATIC Logon access protection. Only under this condition will the corresponding menu be displayed (File > Settings > General > Activate SIMATIC Logon access protection). 
If this access protection has already been activated, uninstalling SIMATIC Logon will prevent access to any of the license keys. 

	Note
SIMATIC Logon access protection must be deactivated before you uninstall SIMATIC Logon.	

6.4	Automation License Manager as License Key Server
You will have to enter one of the following exceptions in the Windows firewall:
•	Either the port (default = 4410) you have specified or
•	The Automation License Manager service (almsrvx.exe).
You need administrator rights to make these settings.

	Note
You can only use the Automation License Manager as License Key server, if incoming remote connections are permitted (see paragraph 6.7).	

6.5	Changing Compatibility Mode
You will have to restart the Automation License Manager with the corresponding dialog if you switch to compatibility mode.
Due to possible incompatibility issues concerning Windows networks organized in workgroups, we recommend that you update older Automation License Manager versions (<V4.0) to the latest version.

	Note
You will have to explicitly activate compatibility mode and you can only use it, if incoming remote connections are permitted (see paragraph 6.7).	
6.6	Increased Security through Connection Settings
You can configure the Automation License Manager so that incoming remote connections from other Automation License Manager installations are not possible.
You configure this setting using the menu command "File>Settings>Connection".

	Note
You will have to restart the Automation License Manager service if you change this option.
Also see paragraph 6.5.	

6.7	Rental License Keys and Changing the System Clock
Changing the system clock can have an effect on the rental license keys. Putting the system time back can damage the rental license keys. Putting the system time forward can reduce the time remaining.

	Note
Make sure that time synchronization via network (NTP service) is executed before you assign the rental license keys.	

7	Known Limitations
7.1	Canceling the License Key Transfer
When license keys are transferred between computers with different versions of the Automation License Manager, an error message is sometimes displayed and the transfer is canceled.
Remedy: 
Install the same version of the Automation License Manager on all computers involved.