TLM: How to raise priority of the primary Ethernet adapter to assure proper security ID?

15-Nov-2024
The TLM system does not have an option to select which MAC address has to be used by the license server. It uses the primary Ethernet adapter of the system for this purpose. Usually, the operating system automatically sets these priorities, at least on Windows.


When using virtual machines as license servers, the MAC addresses or priorities can vary (for example, after reboots or updates), which may invalidate the security ID. The
Overview section in the TLM user guide notes that virtual license server licenses are more the exception than the rule. This is because the TLM licensing system takes a snapshot of the hardware, of which the CPUID and MAC address are only a subset. This approach makes sure that all licenses are used within the confines of the license agreement.

With the introduction of virtual systems, TLM was adapted to accept execution on VMs as well, specifically license servers, while maintaining the strict checking of the system parameters. The rules and system requirements remain the same, as outlined in
the Overview section of the TLM user guide.

However, you can change the Ethernet adapter's priority with Windows.


Possible solution

Using PowerShell


1. Launch PowerShell as Administrator.

2. Run the following command in the PowerShell window.

Get-NetIPinterface


The results show the list of networking adapters active on your computer. Here, InterfaceMetric displays the priority for each adapter, where a lower number means that the adapter will take higher priority over others.

3. To set Network Adapter Priority on Windows 11 to your preference, use the following command.

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex “XX” -InterfaceMetric “YY”
Here, XX is the current Network Adapter Priority, and you will replace it with YY, which is the new value you wish to set.

From the above screenshot, you can see that the Ethernet (the real ethernet) has a metric 5. To raise it, for example, to a metric 1, use the below command:

Set-NetIPInterface -InterfaceIndex “5” -InterfaceMetric “1”
Since there is no notification to show the process is successful, run the Get-NetIPinterface command again to confirm if it has taken effect.

To check which one of the various devices is a real ethernet adapter, use the command:

 ipconfig /all
This will provide you with a detailed overview of the device's properties.


Using the Control Panel
You can also use the Control Panel to Set Network Adapter Priority on Windows 11, by following the below steps:

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to network connections.

2. Right-click on the network connection you want to change and select Properties.

3. Locate and select either Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) or Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).

4. Click Properties and on the IP version properties page, click Advanced.

5. Uncheck Automatic metric.

6. Type the desired priority in the Interface metric field.

7. Click OK.


The PowerShell CLI is quicker and easier and - in addition - you can automate the step, that is, by adding it to the startup process as a PowerShell script to be executed. This will set the priorities right each time the machine is started.



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