Setting up the Unity Licensing Server (quick start)
You can use this Quick Start Guide for simple setups that requires minimal configuration. You can also read it as an overview. If you have a complex setup, or if you require comprehensive instructions, see Server setup (advanced).
Before you start
Important
You might not be able to restore all configuration files if they become damaged. Once your server is running correctly, it's important to back up any configuration files so that you can restore the server if it becomes unusable. For instructions on how to back up your configuration files, see Backing up and restoring.
1) Download the server setup
After the organization owner receives a welcome email and claims the license, go to id.unity.com.
Sign into your existing account (or create a Unity ID), then select Organizations from the left panel. Select your organization (or create a new one).
Select Subscriptions & Services in the left panel) and select the new subscription that uses floating licensing.
Select Configure License Server > Manage seats to add seats to the subscription.
Return to the License servers page, select Download new server, select the operating system for your dedicated server, and download the Unity.Licensing.Server.*.zip file.
2) Extract the server files
Extract the contents of the Unity.Licensing.Server.*.zip archive to a directory on your dedicated server. This directory will be the launch directory for your licensing server.
| Platform | Suggested server path |
|---|---|
| Windows | C:\UnityLicensingServer |
| Linux | /opt/UnityLicensingServer |
3) Configure the server
To configure the licensing server, navigate to the directory containing the server files. Run the following command from the console or terminal and follow the prompts to complete the configuration:
| Platform | Setup command |
|---|---|
| Windows | .\Unity.Licensing.Server.exe setup |
| Linux | ./Unity.Licensing.Server setup |
The setup process includes steps to configure:
- The server name
- HTTPS/SSL (optional)
- Network interface and port
- Administrator access (admin IP allowlist)
The server configuration generates two files in the current working directory: services-config.json and server-registration-request.xml.
4) Register the server
The file server-registration-request.xml contains machine binding information. Register this server in the Unity ID portal under Organizations > [Organization Name] > Subscriptions & Services > [Floating Subscription] > Configure License Server. Follow the instructions in the portal to assign seats and download the license archive.
5) Import the license archive
Download the license archive as a .zip file from the Unity ID portal page.
Without unzipping the archive, run the following command from the console or terminal to import the files:
| Platform | Import command |
|---|---|
| Windows | .\Unity.Licensing.Server.exe import [license archive path] |
| Linux | ./Unity.Licensing.Server import [license archive path] |
This step completes the configuration of the licensing server. Continue to the next steps to run and test the server.
6) Test the licensing server
To launch the server, go to the directory where you extracted the server files and run the following command:
| Platform | Server launch command |
|---|---|
| Windows | .\Unity.Licensing.Server.exe |
| Linux | ./Unity.Licensing.Server |
Example output:
Server Version: 1.6.0.19b28b6
Successfully started the licensing server: http://10.211.55.4:8080/v1/admin/status
Press Ctrl+C to shut down...
To test if the server is running access the administrator API by copying the URL from the previous output to the address bar in the web browser of your choice.
After accessing an endpoint, "serverStatus": "Healthy" indicates a successful configuration. Your licensing server is ready to use.
7) Create a service to run the licensing server
To make the licensing server run as a service and automatically launch at boot, run the following command with administrator privileges and follow the instructions.
Note
On Windows, make sure the user who runs service has the "Log on as a service" right assigned. For more information, see Setting up a service for the licensing server.
| Platform | Service creation command |
|---|---|
| Windows | .\Unity.Licensing.Server.exe create-service |
| Linux | sudo ./Unity.Licensing.Server create-service |
This command creates and starts the service.
8) Configure the client computers
The services-config.json file configures the Unity Editor to communicate with the floating licensing server. (This file was automatically generated in Step 2.)
Copy services-config.json to the following path on all client computers:
| Platform | Services Configuration Path |
|---|---|
| Windows | %PROGRAMDATA%\Unity\config\ |
| macOS | /Library/Application Support/Unity/config/ |
| Linux | /usr/share/unity3d/config/ |
With this file, the Unity Editor acquires a new license when launched and returns the license when closed.