Multiple Instances of Flex License server on the same host
Where I currently work we run a Kronos time keeping system for our employees, this system is not supported on VMware so a physical server was dedicated to the task.
Sadly (?) Kronos is quite a light weight application that hardly utilises the servers resources, not wanting to let a physical host go to waste VMware Virtual Centre was to be installed. All was looking promising apart from both Kronos and VMware utilising Macrovision’s Flex Licesing server, and since each instance binds to port 27000 TCP a work around had to be found.
Assiging an alternate port to VMware Licesing
Edit the VMware License file
Open the .lic file in your editor of choice and locate
SERVER this_host ANY 27000 ENDOR VMWARELM port=27010
SERVER this_host ANY 27005 ENDOR VMWARELM port=27015
create the following XML file
<!-- Firewall configuration for License Server on Alt port --> <ConfigRoot> <service id='0000'> <id>LicenseClientAltPort</id> <rule id='0000'> <direction>outbound</direction> <protocol>tcp</protocol> <port type='dst'>27005</port> <flags>-m state --state NEW</flags> </rule> <rule id='0001'> <direction>outbound</direction> <protocol>tcp</protocol> <port type='dst'>27015</port> <flags>-m state --state NEW</flags> </rule> </service> </ConfigRoot>
Copy the file to /etc/vmware/firewall on all of your servers
important: you may want to disable High Avalability for the next step as we’re breaking management network connectivity temporarily, it may trigger a host failure and start powering up your VMs.
ssh in as root and issue
service mgmt-vmware restart
Log into each ESX host using VMware Infrastructure Client, open security profile and enable your new port definition
Open Licensed Features and prepend 27005@ to your license server name
Your hosts should now be licensed!