Installing Altium Designer - Private Server licenses

To install an Altium Designer Private Server on your company's network, first install and configure the Private License Server, then install the Altium Designer product on each of the end-user's computers (the Clients).

Installing the Private License Server

The following instructions apply to summer 09 or later releases of Altium Designer. For installation of earlier versions, click here.

Step 1:
The Private License Server is a separate and distinct installation. It is installed on the target machine as a Windows Service. To begin the install process, insert the Altium Designer Software Installation DVD into your computer's DVD ROM drive. A window should appear (shown) where you can select “Install Private License Server” to run the setup wizard for the install. If this does not run automatically, navigate to and click on, the Setup.exe file in the \Private License Server Setup\Setup folder. The Altium Designer Private License Server Setup Wizard will appear.

Note: If you are upgrading your license server, you will need to uninstall the existing installation of the Private License Server (or Floating License Server, as it was previously known), using the "Add or Remove programs" Windows control panel.

Instructions on upgrading the Private License Server >

Step 2:
To begin the installation click Next. The 'License Agreement' screen will now appear. You must accept the End-User License Agreement (EULA) in order to proceed.

Read the End-User License Agreement >

Step 3:
Once you have accepted the EULA, click Next to continue. You will be asked to enter your full name and organization name in order to personalize your installation.

Step 4:
Select the folder where you wish to install the files for Altium Designer. Click Next and the 'Ready to Install the Application' screen will appear (not illustrated). Click Next again and the installation will begin.

Upon completion of the installation, the software (service) will be running and an Altium Designer icon will appear in the Windows System Tray.

Configuring the Private License Server on Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows Server 2003 and above >

For more detailed instructions on configuring and using the Private License Server, read Using a Private Server License.

Installing the Client Software

The following instructions apply to summer 09 or later releases of Altium Designer. For installation of earlier versions, click here.

Step 1:
To install Altium Designer on the Client computer, insert the Altium Designer Software Installation DVD into the computer's DVD ROM drive. The Installation Wizard will automatically start. Select “Install Altium Designer” and it will guide you through the standard Altium Designer installation process. If this Installation Wizard does not start automatically, run Setup.exe located in the Setup directory on the Software Installation DVD.

Step 2:
Once the installation is complete, launch Altium Designer from the Start menu. You will be taken to the 'My Account' screen. If this page does not appear click on DXP » My Account.

Click on the 'Setup private license server' option.

Step 3:
The 'Private License Server Setup' dialog will appear. Choose the server to which you wish to connect and click OK.

Step 4:
The Private Server licenses configured on the server will appear listed in the Available Licenses region of the view. Click on the entry for the license you wish to use and then click on the 'Use' link. The license you selected will show 'Used by me'.

To discontinue use of a particular license start the 'My Account' screen by clicking on DXP » My Account. Click on the entry for that license and then click on the 'Release' link. This will free-up the license for use by another User.

You are now ready to use Altium Designer. The following guides are recommended reading: