Understanding NI Software Policies

For additional information on these usage categories, learn how to choose the right NI software license.

DEVELOPMENT LICENSE
A development license is used for creating new applications and programs. This option can be purchased as a single seat or as part of a multi-seat agreement: either a Volume License Agreement (VLA) or an Enterprise Agreement (EA). This category of license includes a home exception, which allows for the installation and activation of the software on one home machine.

DEPLOYMENT LICENSE
A deployment license is required for distributing applications developed using a particular software product. You must purchase one deployment license for each target computer on which the application will run. This option can be purchased as a single seat, as part of a VLA, or as part of an EA. This category of license does not include a home exception.

To learn which software products include deployment licenses, refer to Deployment and Debug Licenses for NI Software.

DEBUG LICENSE
A debug license for a particular software product provides the permission to install that software on one computer. You may use the software only to fix issues on an application or system that has already been created with a development license. This option can be purchased as a single seat or as part of a VLA. This category of license does not include a home exception. 

To learn which software products include debug licenses, refer to Deployment and Debug Licenses for NI Software.

NON-CONCURRENT LICENSE
Software licenses are assigned to specific users or computers at certain sites. The number of licenses assigned cannot exceed the number of non-concurrent seats purchased. This option can be purchased as a single seat or as part of a VLA. License use is restricted to the Americas, Europe, or Asia and cannot cross continents. There are two types of non-concurrent licenses: named-user and computer-based.

• Named-User (Non-Concurrent) License: License for an individual user to run the software. Also known as a “user-based” license. With this option, the software can be installed on up to three computers and can be running on only one computer at a time. This type of license includes a home exception, which allows for the installation and activation of the software on one home machine.
• Computer-Based (Non-Concurrent) License: License for an individual computer with no restrictions on the number of users. Also known as “host-based,” “seat-based,” or “node-locked.” This type of license includes a home exception, which allows for the installation and activation of the software on one home machine for one user.

CONCURRENT LICENSE
Software installed on unlimited computers at certain sites if no more than X instances of the software are in use at any given time, where X equals the number of concurrent seats purchased. This license type can only be purchased as part of a VLA or as part of an EA. There are two types of concurrent licenses: managed and unmanaged.

• Managed (Concurrent) License: Access to the pool of licenses is restricted either by user or computer. (For example: 10 LabVIEW Professional licenses only for Group A, five LabVIEW Full licenses for Group B, and so on.) Licenses can be managed through a license server. This type of license includes a home exception, which allows for the installation and activation of the software on one home machine.
• Unmanaged (Concurrent) License: Access to the pool of licenses is unrestricted and available to any user or computer on the same network as the license server. This type of license does not include a home exception or allow for the use of disconnected licenses.

PERPETUAL LICENSE
A perpetual license means that the version of the software you purchase will never stop working. NI software licenses provide access to an NI software service agreement. Learn about the benefits of software services. These benefits are included in the first year of perpetual licenses. After the first year, software service is renewable on an annual basis. Even if you do not subscribe to software service, your software will continue to operate with the version you currently have installed.   

SUBSCRIPTION LICENSE
Subscription software licenses give you the same benefits of perpetual software, but you must renew your subscription to keep using the software. When you renew your subscription, you will also maintain access to your NI software service agreement benefits. Learn about the benefits of software services.

A single-seat software license can be a development, debug, or a deployment license and is typically a named-user non-concurrent license. For questions about activating your software, you can refer to this document.

Volume licenses are typically managed on a license server and can include development, deployment, and debug licenses as well as concurrent and non-concurrent licenses. End-user activations are managed by the software administrator of your volume license. For questions about configuring a license server, you can reference the VLM Getting Started Guide. If you’re working remotely and your license includes a home exception, you can use a Disconnected or Home License.

Contact an NI representative if you have questions or need further assistance to understand which license options are best for your company.