CODESYS Development System
The CODESYS Development System may be used free of charge – there is no license fee for end users. Prior to installation, the end-user license agreement is to be accepted.
Add-on products for the CODESYS Development System, for CODESYS compatible devices and SoftPLC systems
The CODESYS Store offers numerous add-on products for CODESYS. They extend the functionality of the CODESYS Development System and the CODESYS Control SoftPLC systems. For each product, there is a defined license mode per workstation or per target device:
- Workstation license (soft- and hardware-based):
Licensing is performed either through the CODESYS Soft Container (a software license container bound to the workstation PC) or through the CODESYS Key (a USB dongle providing additional functions for security purposes). The latter can store up to 4,000 licenses and allows for using workstation licenses on different workplaces. - Single device license (for products bearing the suffix „SL“ for Single License)
The license is stored directly on the target device. For this license mode, the runtime system CODESYS Control V3.5 SP4 or higher or a SoftPLC from the CODESYS Store has to be installed on the device. Each user of the device can work with the same license, but the license cannot be transferred to another device. Alternatively, the license can be stored on a CODESYS Key (USB dongle) which is connected to the device. By connecting the CODESYS Key to another device the license can be transferred to other devices. - Network license (currently for CODESYS Professional Developer Edition products): The licenses can be stored on a server in the local network and used there by all connected users. The number of licenses determines the number of users possible at the same time. The license activation itself takes place via the CODESYS soft container, which is permanently bound to the server. Alternatively, the license can be stored on a CODESYS key. By replugging the CODESYS key, the license can be used on another server.
Licenses can be stored on the CODESYS Key or on the device directly during the purchasing process in the CODESYS Store, afterwards in the CODESYS Development System or on a special web interface (License Central under http://license.codesys.com)
CODESYS Control runtime systems – implementation by device manufacturers
Device manufacturers who intend to install the CODESYS runtime system on their devices obtain a license file on purchasing the CODESYS Control Runtime Toolkit. Each device programmable with CODESYS is subject to license fees known as runtime royalties. For documentation purposes, each manufacturer is awarded a license certificate for the toolkit and the add-on products purchased.
Add-on products to the CODESYS Control runtime system
Add-on products such as the CODESYS PLCHandler, the CODESYS OPC UA Server, the CODESYS Redundancy Toolkit or the products supporting fieldbus systems can be purchased as add-ons for the CODESYS Runtime Toolkit. Fees for add-ons to CODESYS Visualization and the integrated MotionControl/CNC Toolkit are added to the license fees for the runtime system used. All add-on products are licensed through an extension of the license file which is also documented by a certificate.
CODESYS Control SoftPLC systems – Utilization on standard devices
SoftSPS-Systeme are designed for standard device platforms like industrial PCs or other open device platforms. They can be installed by the users themselves. The required licenses are application-specific and are stored directly on each individual device using the WIBU CodeMeter® technology. Alternatively, they are available as network licenses
More information about application-based licensing can be found in the CODESYS Store.
Acquired licenses can be transferred directly from the CODESYS Development System or via web interface (License Central http://license.codesys.com) to the target system (software license container or CODESYS Key, see below).
For a detailed overview of Wibu licensing, read this white paper: White Paper Wibu Licensing (PDF) »
CODESYS Automation Server – The Industry 4.0 platform
The administration of CODESYS-based controller systems (as of CODESYS V3) can be conveniently done in the cloud-based platform CODESYS Automation Server. For this purpose, special accounts ("tenants") are booked and managed in the CODESYS Store. The licensing depends on time and usage, among other things on the number of controllers administered and data volume consumed.
Software license container
Advantages
- No additional hardware required
- No additional costs
- No physical delivery necessary
- Unlimited number of storable licenses
- License usable immediately
- No loss of license, e.g. in case of theft of a dongle
Disadvantages
- No transfer of the license to another device
- Loss of the license in case of a defect of the device
CODESYS Key (dongle)
Advantages
- License holder independent of the target device
- Easy transfer of the license to another device
- License remains valid even in case of defect of the device
- Simple process of granting and withdrawing licenses
- Number of storable licenses almost unlimited (approx. 4,000)
- Use of the CODESYS Key also for security tasks (including project encryption)
Disadvantages
- Need for additional hardware and matching slot (USB)
- Additional costs for key, shipping and customs fees (if applicable)
- Waiting time before using the license until delivery of the CODESYS Key
- Loss of the license in case of theft of the dongle