Request to make client licenses server-based

[heffe2001]

Would be nice if you could just install your client licenses on the server, say, have your server license & 4 client licenses, then only allow 4 connetions to the server from seperate IP addresses. That way if I had 2 MVP's, and 3 PC clients, I could use any 4 at once, if I turn one off, then the license is freed up. The current way is a pain i you can't remember what client has what key...

[Edit: This thread was split from the Official SageTV 3.0 Information thread. - Opus4]

[insomniac]

I like the per connection licensing scheme as well. maybe they can give it a thought in the future..

I.

Originally Posted by heffe2001

Would be nice if you could just install your client licenses on the server, say, have your server license & 4 client licenses, then only allow 4 connetions to the server from seperate IP addresses. That way if I had 2 MVP's, and 3 PC clients, I could use any 4 at once, if I turn one off, then the license is freed up. The current way is a pain i you can't remember what client has what key...

[Cayars]

I third the motion for this also. I'd even go so far as to say they could mark up the price of the client by $5. I figure this would be appropriate since a person with 5 clients now would probably only need 3 or 4 if done this way.

It would be worth the flexibility of not having to have more licenses then needed for "normal" use. I hate when I need to test something on another computer and don't have a license available. It would be sweet to just shut down the client on another machine to free up a license and NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE SERVER.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by Cayars

I third the motion for this also. I'd even go so far as to say they could mark up the price of the client by $5. I figure this would be appropriate since a person with 5 clients now would probably only need 3 or 4 if done this way.

It would be worth the flexibility of not having to have more licenses then needed for "normal" use. I hate when I need to test something on another computer and don't have a license available. It would be sweet to just shut down the client on another machine to free up a license and NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE SERVER.

A humungo DITTO to that motion. All in favor say aye!

[BerrantRyke]

Originally Posted by mdmint

A humungo DITTO to that motion. All in favor say aye!

Aye!

[Blue]

Originally Posted by Cayars

I third the motion for this also. I'd even go so far as to say they could mark up the price of the client by $5. I figure this would be appropriate since a person with 5 clients now would probably only need 3 or 4 if done this way.

This is fairly common with certain enterprise based software applications. They're generally referred to as concurrent use or floating licenses, as compared to standalone or fixed seat licensing. Depending on the implementation it may require a 3rd party license manager, which would contribute to increasing the cost for a floating license. If Frey decides to implement this solution, it would be good to have two pricing schemas, since not everyone would use or want to pay for the floating seat.

[Cayars]

Nah, it wouldn't require a 3rd party license manager as this is very easy to track on the SageTV server since each client has to have a unique IP address. It's already tracking unique licenses now so it would be a trival change in the scheme of things.

This is far more a matter of policy then software implementation related!

[JasonJoel]

Yup, I would cough up some cash for that feature... I would buy one more license as a 'floater'.

Jason

Originally Posted by Cayars

I third the motion for this also. I'd even go so far as to say they could mark up the price of the client by $5. I figure this would be appropriate since a person with 5 clients now would probably only need 3 or 4 if done this way.

It would be worth the flexibility of not having to have more licenses then needed for "normal" use. I hate when I need to test something on another computer and don't have a license available. It would be sweet to just shut down the client on another machine to free up a license and NOT HAVE TO RESTART THE SERVER.

[korben_dallas]

Sounds like a great idea. Especially if we get to play with Linux sometime this year

[heffe2001]

I wouldn't think it'd be hard to manage. Just license the server for x amount of connections, when a client closes, or doesn't send data to the server after x amount of seconds (to account for crashed clients, etc), you free up the slot for another connection. I wouldn't think it'd be much more difficult than what they are doing now.

It would also alleviate the need to restart the server service when you want to float one client license between 2 seldom-used, well, clients .

I'd say it'd be a win-win solution for Frey. Their customers would definitely be happier, and happy customers refer other customers .

*EDIT* OH, forgot to tell Opus thanks for splitting this out so it wouldn't be missed .

[AJ Bertelson]

I thought this was a bad idea but the more I think about it makes sense.

If you have a single license it can be spread out over 4 pc's, the WAF will kick in though when she wants to watch tv and you are watching it in another room thus people will be more inclined to pick up a couple of keys.

[sleonard]

Aye!

[samgreco]

Aye !!!

[thatdude90210]

I like this idea.

[mayamaniac]

I like this idea also. We need to make sure they put this licensing scheme into SageTV 3.0. So how do we submit a request like this to Frey?

[Cayars]

Well first off, everyone who's interested in this should make a comment here. Also give a valid reason for it if it hasn't been mentioned before.

The more people who speak up the more they may listen.

[rhsmcc]

AYE !!

[hoep]

would be in fact an improvement in the license-handling

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by Cayars

Well first off, everyone who's interested in this should make a comment here. Also give a valid reason for it if it hasn't been mentioned before.

The more people who speak up the more they may listen.

Ok, I currently have 3 Client licenses but really only need two at any one time. We have one TV, our 55" Toshiba with main HTPC Client connected. Also have Client on Debi's PC which she uses once in awhile strictly for scheduling, never watching. I have Client on my main PC for testing STVs and primary comskip processing. I have Client on my Laptop, currently using same license as on Debi's, to once in a blue moon pop on and check scheduling etc. Paid for 3, need 4 with ability to connect with 2 at any one time without having to re-ini Sage Service. I would have rather paid the same $$$ for 3 Client licenses but get "any 2 at a time connect Client license". More flexible.

[heffe2001]

Another idea I had (that I wouldn't expect to be implimented, but I thought I'd throw it out there), would be to allow the server to be server-only, and be able to use client on another PC to view. The server PC would handle all the logic & stuff, but not be able to show video. Allow the connection that is included in server to be a client connection. Alternately, have the server license be used as a client license in the total allowable to use. Say you buy server & 2 clients, you would then have the ability to run 3 clients, whether they be the server using GUI, and 2 remote PC's (or MVP's or whatever), or 3 remote PC's/MVP's, with the server not able to use GUI/video out at all. I wouldn't really expect Frey to do this, but I do know some people would like to run slower PC's one for viewing, one for recording.