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Blocks server software requires a license to be operational. Either connect a physical license key to a USB port or request a cloud-based license (requires internet access). A physical license key can be accessed either directly from a USB port attached to the virtual machine or over the local network.

PIXILAB Blocks Server Software License Agreement

The linux image provided by Pixilab for use with on-premise servers is prepared and preconfigured to connect to physical USB license key connected direct to one of the USB ports of the computer.

For additional details and other OS USB license key instructions, please refer to the Get started chapter in the Blocks manual.

For the cloud licens one must obtain a credentials file from Pixilab. The file is usually delivered via email once purchased.

See installation instructions below

1. First install Blocks + CodeMeter License software on your server PC (Windows or Mac)
2. Open CodeMeter Control Center and drop the credentials file (you will see its serial number appear in the app window)
3. Now you can start the Blocks server software (Note: the Cloud License requires continuous internet access)

1. Import the credentials file to your Blocks server with the following terminal-command:

 cmu --import --file /path/to/140-2361345228.wbc

*The "path/to" refers to the path to file from where you terminal ls located when the program cmu is running. As this is usually running on a virtual machine, you typically use scp over an ssh connection to the computer running the terminal to first upload the credentials file to the remote computer.

This method provides access to the license key over the network. Assuming both the guest and host operating systems are on the same network (which they will be when using a network adapter in bridge mode), a license key connected to the host computer can be accessed. This assumes network access is allowed in the license keys's settings (more on this below). Thus, the physical USB key can be connected to the host computer and will then be automatically found by Blocks.

Verify or adjust the following license key settings in your host computer

• Open the CodeMeter Control Center.
• Click the WebAdmin button, and wait for the web UI to appear.
• Select Configuration > Server.
• Under Network Server, select Enable.
• Click Apply.

The CodeMeter software has been pre-installed, and configured to look for the license on the local network. To verify accesibility:

• Start the virtual machine.
• Once up, use the command cmu –list-server –list-content.
• This should show your server's IP address and license information. Look for the text "102977"

In the example above, the license key is physically connected to the host computer, and then accessed over the (host-computer internal) "network". If you can't connect the license key to the host computer for some reason, you can instead connect it to another computer on the same subnet, and it will be found automatically by Blocks. Alternatively, use a cloud-based license (requires internet access).

If you have physical access to the computer running the virtualizer, you may prefer to connect the license key directly to this computer, and make the USB port accessible to the guest OS.

• Connect the license key. The key must be physically connected to a USB port on the host computer.
• Do NOT install the CodeMeter driver/software (or disable it if already installed).

The host computer must NOT run the CodeMeter software, since only one driver may access the physical key at a time, and in this case that's is the driver inside the virtual machine.

• Select your guest OS in the list on the left hand side
• Select its Details settings pane
• Click USB
• Make sure "Enable USB Controller" is selected
• Add a "USB Device Filter" using the + button to the right
• Select your CodeMeter device

To verify license key accessibility:

• Start the virtual machine.
• Once up, use the command cmu -x.
• This should show the details of your license key. Look for the text "102977".

• Install Virtual Machine Manager.
• Import the OVA file.
• Connect your Blocks license key to a free USB port on the NAS.
• Double-click your Blocks virtual machine in the Virtual Machine Manager (see illustrations below).
• In the Edit Virtual machine dialog box, select Others.
• Select "Wibu Systems AG CmStick" on the USE Device menu.
• Click OK.
• Start the Blocks virtual machine.
• Once up, in a terminal window connected to the virtual machine run the command cmu -x as described above to verify license key access.