How to Set Up a BricsCAD Network Licence Server on Linux
Quick answer: Download and extract the Bricsys Network License Server, start RLM, and change the default password immediately, exactly as on Windows, the server automatically shuts itself down 10 minutes after installation if you don’t. After that, set it up as a system service and run the launcher to activate your licence key. This is normally a task for whoever manages your network or systems, not individual BricsCAD users.
What You’re Installing
The Bricsys Network License Server bundles a custom RLM server and the Bricsys Network License Manager, the same components as the Windows version, just packaged as a .tgz archive instead of an MSI.
Downloading and Extracting
- Download the Network License Server (Linux) archive.
- Extract it to any folder:
tar xvzf Bricsys-NetworkLicenseServer-Vx.x.x-x.tgz -c <path>
Starting RLM and Changing the Default Password
This isn’t optional. If you don’t change the default RLM credentials, the licence server shuts itself down automatically 10 minutes after installation, the same behaviour as on Windows.
- Go to the extracted folder and start RLM:
./rlm
If this fails with a permissions error, run sudo chmod u+x rlm first to make the file executable, then try again.
- Change the default password:
- Go to the RLM web interface at
localhost:5054. - Log in with the default credentials, username and password are both
admin. - Click Change Password in the left-side menu and set a new one.
- Go to the RLM web interface at
Setting Up as a System Service
Create the RLM system service by following the steps in the Readme.txt file included in the installation folder. The exact steps depend on your distribution’s service manager, which is why this is documented separately rather than as a single universal command.
Running the Licence Manager
Run the launcher to open the Network License Manager, where you can activate or update your licence key:
./NetworkLicenseManager.sh
Troubleshooting: On Ubuntu 22.04, if the Network License Manager fails to start, install the missing dependency:
sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0
Managing the Server from Terminal
Open a terminal with administrator rights, navigate to the installation directory, then run ./NetworkLicenseManager.sh followed by one of these options:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
-h |
Displays available options |
-id |
Displays this machine’s Host ID |
-l |
Lists available network licence keys |
-a <licensekey> |
Activates a specific licence key |
-u <licensekey> |
Updates a specific licence key |
-r <licensekey> |
Reviews update options for a specific licence key |
-p <hostname> <portnumber> <username> <password> |
Sets proxy settings (use "" for any empty value) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t change the default RLM password? The licence server shuts itself down automatically 10 minutes after installation, the same rule that applies on Windows.
What if ./rlm won’t run because of a permissions error? Run sudo chmod u+x rlm to make the file executable, then try starting it again.
The Network License Manager won’t start on Ubuntu 22.04. What do I do? Install the missing dependency with sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0.
Is this the same process as setting up the server on Windows? Very similar, same 10-minute password rule, same terminal options, but it’s packaged as a .tgz instead of an MSI, and setting it up as a system service is a separate manual step guided by a Readme file rather than a single installer flag.