Using and Managing OnCloud License

In the OnCloud License mode, you can register a user name and password and then use the login details to be able to install and use the OrCAD X and Allegro X Release 24.1 products that support OnCloud license. If you use only products that support OnCloud license, a License Manager is not required. However, if you also use products that require a license server, you must install and configure a license server.

OnCloud license requires the system to be connected to the Internet at the time of the first login and later on periodically for verification. You will see a message when a verification is required.

You will receive an email giving you a link to your dashboard. You can manage your license online using your dashboard. If you are an administrator, you can assign licenses to different users and manage their licenses.

If you are a user, you can view your entitlement and account information and also entitlement from the dashboard. If you are an administrator, you can create users and then assign and remove users from entitlements.

OnCloud License: Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some of the frequently asked questions about OnCloud License:

• Which products support OnCloud License in release 24.1?
• Do I need a License Server if I access all products using only an OnCloud License?
• Can I change from using an OnCloud License to using a License Server or vice versa?
• What do I do if Allegro X PCB Editor starts in the OnCloud License mode although I changed the license mode to License Server (license_server)?
• Can I set the licensing mode to OnCloud License at the operating system-level?
• If I set the license mode at the operating system-level and from a product, which takes precedence?
• My OnCloud License has stopped working but the licensing mode is still set to OnCloud, can I switch to License Server mode?
• Do I need to be connected to the net when I access my products using OnCloud License?
• What is the meaning of Entitlement?
• Why is the license system trying to write to the disk or to update registry?
• Can I use an OnCloud License to install and access Cadence products from multiple systems?
• Do I need to update my proxy details before installing products using OnCloud License?
• I get the ORCOMMN-12005 message stating that a valid license was not found, although I use an OnCloud license. How do I run the application?

Which products support OnCloud License in release 24.1?

OnCloud License mode is supported by the following products in release 24.1:

1. OrCAD X PCB Presto
2. OrCAD X Capture
3. Cadence PSpice A/D
4. OrCAD X PCB Editor

Do I need a License Server if I access all products using only an OnCloud License?

If all the products you use support an OnCloud license, you do not need a License Server. However, if the products you're using do not support an OnCloud license, you must set up a Cadence License Server.

Can I change from using an OnCloud License to using a License Server or vice versa?

The products that support OnCloud License have settings to change the licensing mode. You must restart the product for the change to be effective.

Change the licensing mode of the various products by doing the following steps:

What do I do if Allegro X PCB Editor starts in the OnCloud License mode although I changed the license mode to License Server (license_server)?

If you changed the allegro_license_mode variable under UI - License in the User Preferences Editor (Setup - User Preferences) to license_server but the licensing mode does not change, use the following command to start PCB Editor:

allegro -safe

Can I set the licensing mode to OnCloud License at the operating system-level?

You can set the environment variable allegro_license_mode to configure the licensing mode.Set the variable to single_user_licensing to set the OnCloud License mode. Set the variable to license_server to set the License Server mode.

If I set the license mode at the operating system-level and from a product, which takes precedence?

The variable set in pcbenv or from the products takes precedence over the value set at the operating system level.

My OnCloud License has stopped working but the licensing mode is still set to OnCloud, can I switch to License Server mode?

To switch to the License Server mode, do the following:

1. Edit the ENV file to delete the allegro_license_mode entry in pcbenv.
2. Delete the environment variable allegro_license_mode or set the value to license_server.
3. Ensure that CDS_LIC_FILE is set correctly and a Cadence License is running with valid licenses.

Do I need to be connected to the net when I access my products using OnCloud License?

You need not be connected all the time when you access products using OnCloud license. But the system must be connected at least once in 24 hours to verify license validity. You will receive a message stating that the license needs to be validated. If the license is not validated for long or the stated period in the message, the product will exit.

What is the meaning of Entitlement?

Entitlement is the ability to access selected Cadence products using OnCloud license. After you are registered, you must be entitled to a product to be able to access that product using OnCloud license.

When you register, you will receive an email with a link to a dashboard. If you are an administrator or a single user, you can open the dashboard and change entitlement. If you are not an administrator or a single user, an administrator can add entitlement to products for which your email is registered.

Why is the license system trying to write to the disk or to update registry?

The configuration and validation process involves accessing your local system and Windows registry. Ensure the Cadence installer has write permissions on %APPDATA%.

Can I use OnCloud License to install and access Cadence products from multiple systems?

Only one system can have a valid installation at a time. Change to any of the following in the system after installation can cause license related errors:

• CPU count
• Hardware serial number
• Host UUID (Universal Unique Identifier)
• MAC (Media Access Control) address

Do I need to update my proxy details before installing products using OnCloud License?

It is recommended that you set up correct proxy details, such as by adding Windows credentials, before starting installation.

I get the ORCOMMN-12005 message stating that a valid license was not found although I use an OnCloud license. How do I run the application?

You can run the <Installation Hierarchy>tools\capture\tclscripts\capUtils\OrcadLicence.tcl script to change the license mode for Capture and PSpice to the OnCloud License mode or to the License Server (FLEXLM) mode.

To run the script, use tclsh if installed or use <Installation Hierarchy>tools\tcltk\tcl\bin\tclsh80.exe.

Assuming you have Tclsh installed, use the following syntax:

tclsh OrcadLicence.tcl {Capture or PSpice} {OnCloud or FLEXLM}

For example, to change the license mode to the OnCloud license mode for Capture, enter the following command:

tclsh80.exe <Installation Hierarchy>tools\capture\tclscripts\capUtils\OrcadLicence.tcl Capture SUL

Similarly, to change the license mode to the License Server (FLEXLM) mode for PSpice, enter the following command:

tclsh80.exe <Installation Hierarchy>tools\capture\tclscripts\capUtils\OrcadLicence.tcl PSpice FLEXLM