[Mathematica] Mathematica license-server

[Kelvin Raywood]

The Mathematica license-server at UBC Math Dept has been shutdown
and those of you with a local installation of mathematica (ie. not from 
a shared file-system such as /triumfcs/linux) will need to change the 
address of the license server from "mathematica.math.ubc.ca" to 
"keys.triumf.ca".  Detailed instructions are below.

_Background_

In previous years, TRIUMF had a cost sharing arrangement for Mathematica 
licenses with the Dept of Mathematics at UBC. It enabled UBC students, 
staff, faculty and adjuncts who are based at TRIUMF to use Mathematica 
at TRIUMF without purchasing any extra licenses.  UBC IT-services have 
taken over the administration of the Mathematica license-server for all 
of UBC but, for various reasons, they are unable to extend this 
arrangement to TRIUMF.

To enable uninterrupted use for TRIUMF users of Mathematica, TRIUMF 
division-heads authorised annual purchase of Mathematica licenses for 
TRIUMF use.  This has the advantage that all TRIUMF personnel can use 
Mathematica without extra licensing fees; not just those associated with 
UBC.

Below are instructions for changing your local Mathematica installation 
to use TRIUMF license-server.

_Changing_the_license_server_

If you use Mathematica from /triumfcs/linux then you do not need to do
anything.

If you have local installation of Mathematica on Windows, Mac or Linux,
then you will need to locate the Mathematica license-file called
"mathpass". It is a plain-text file containing the following single line.

!mathematica.math.ubc.ca

Use a text editor to change the line to:

!keys.triumf.ca

The location of "mathpass" depends on your operating-system, the version
of Mathematica that you have installed and where you chose to install
it. Use the following examples as a guide to the location of "mathpass"
on your system.

Windows path examples:

   C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application 
Data\Mathematica\Licensing\mathpass

C:\ProgramFiles\WolframResearch\Mathematica\7.0\Configuration\Licensing\mathpass 



Macintosh OS X path examples:

   Macintosh HD > Library > Mathematica > Licensing > mathpass

Linux path examples:

   /usr/local/mathematica/Configuration/Licensing/mathpass
   /opt/mathematica/Configuration/Licensing/mathpass


_Alternate method_

If you run mathematica under an account that has the privileges required
to overwrite "mathpass" then you can change the license-server when
prompted with an error that you are unable to connect to the license server.

     * Click Enter Password
     * Select the Network License radio button
     * Mathematica license-server: !keys.triumf.ca
     * Click OK


_Verify_

Use "Help -> About Mathematica -> System Information" to verify that
the new license-server is being used.


--
Kel Raywood
Core Computing and Networking
TRIUMF