Arm Software Licensing
About this Install Guide
| Reading time: | 15 min |
| Last updated: | 22 Jun 2026 |
| Reading time: |
| 15 min |
| Last updated: |
| 22 Jun 2026 |
This guide shows you how to install and use the tool with the most common configuration. For advanced options and complete reference information, see the official documentation. Some install guides also include optional next steps to help you explore related workflows or integrations.
Older Arm products do not support user-based licenses. These will be enabled with FlexNet Publisher floating licenses.
You will be supplied with license key(s) to generate such license(s).
How do I set up a license server?
How do I download the FlexNet Publisher software?
License Administrators should download and install the latest FlexNet Publisher software to your internal license server.
https://developer.arm.com/downloads/-/download-flexnet-publisher
How do I generate a license file?
Access the
Software Licensing Portal
to generate your license. You will need the HOSTID of the license server and your product license key from Arm.
Optionally add license server names and network port to the SERVER line of the license file:
SERVER HOSTNAME HOSTID PORT
How do I launch the license server?
Start the license server with:
lmgrd -c license_file
See the FlexNet for Arm Tools License Management Guide for full options.
How do I configure end-user setup?
End-users should set the environment variable ARMLMD_LICENSE_FILE to map to the location of your license server.
Windows
set ARMLMD_LICENSE_FILE=port@server
Linux
export ARMLMD_LICENSE_FILE=port@server
How do I activate the license via tools IDE?
The license can also be activated in the various Arm tool IDEs.
For example
Arm Development Studio
, via Help > Arm License Manager.
If ARMLMD_LICENSE_FILE is not set, use Add > Add product license, and specify port and server information for your license server.
Arm Development Studio will also ask to specify the appropriate
Edition
as the Active Product.
How do I verify the license setup?
To verify that the license is set up correctly, set the following environment variable:
Windows
set FLEXLM_DIAGNOSTICS=3
Linux
export FLEXLM_DIAGNOSTICS=3
and execute an appropriate Arm tool, for example Arm Compiler for Embedded:
armclang --version
Observe the output, which will be similar to:
Checkout succeeded: ds_suite_rowan/04C6 0E2A CDA4 6344
License file: port@server
License Server: port@server
Checkout succeeded: ds_compiler_rowan/141D C968 2E7F 4187
License file: port@server
License Server: port@server
Product: Arm Development Studio Gold Edition 2023.1
Component: Arm Compiler for Embedded 6.21
Unset the FLEXLM_DIAGNOSTICS environment variable afterwards, as this will impact the tools performance.
Give Feedback
How would you rate this tool quick-install guide?
What is the primary reason for your feedback ?
Thank you! We're grateful for your feedback.
- Have more feedback? Log an issue on GitHub.
- Want to collaborate? Join our Discord server.