Configure XSI for new server location
There are two basic elements to serving licenses: the license server itself, and the XSI application that requests and uses the licenses.
XSI obtains its licenses from the license server specified by an environment variable called SPM_HOST. Normally this variable is configured during the Setup process when you first install the software and seldom needs to be modified again. However, when computers get upgraded, moved, or added to the network, it may become neccessary to modify the SPM_HOST value to accommodate these changes in your network.
- If you have a local license server, meaning that both XSI and the license server exist on the same computer, the value of SPM_HOST should always be set to localhost and requires no further modification.
- If you "float" your licenses across a network and your license server changes its network name or IP address, then you will have to update the SPM_HOST value to specify the new name of the license server.
About the environment script
The SPM_HOST environment variable is defined within XSI's environment script file. The environment script file contains environment variables required to run XSI. Environment variables tell XSI where important files are located and also let you customize your environment. On Windows systems, this file is called setenv.bat; on Linux, it is called .xsi_7.0. The environment script file is located in %SI_HOME%\Application\bin on Windows, and $SI_HOME or your home directory on Linux.
Changing the value of SPM_HOST with User Tools
You can use the User Tools application to edit the SPM_HOST variable. The User Tools application is installed by the XSI Setup program.
To open User Tools on Windows:
- Choose Start > All Programs > SOFTIMAGE Products > SOFTIMAGE XSI > UserTools.
To open User Tools on Linux:
- Open a terminal window.
- Source the XSI environment by typing: source ~/.xsi_7.0
- Start User Tools by typing: $XSI_BINDIR/UserTools
To modify the environment script:
- In the list of Configuration Files, select setenv.bat or .xsi_7.0.
- Click Edit File.
- Locate this line in the file: set _SPM_HOST=(Your_Server_Name_Here)
- Change the value of _SPM_HOST to your license server's computer name or IP address.
- You can define multiple license servers by delineating the values with a semi-colon: SPM_HOST=Server1;Server2;Server3
- Note that pointing to invalid license servers can cause longer startup times for XSI.
- When you are done, click Save and then Close.
- The next time you start XSI it will obtain its licenses from the license server specified in the environment script.
Related information
- What is a license server?
- Setting up a license server
- Querying the license server and its licenses
- Troubleshooting the license server
