Kubernetes Agent and IBM License Service

[mmfish1]

We are in the process of deploying the full Kubernetes agent on our on-prem clusters and I have been unable to find any information about the IBM License Service and if there is any configuration/set-up that we need to complete on our end.  Can anyone let me know if there is set-up/configuration for IBM License Service that we need to complete or is this part of FNMS?

[kclausen]

The IBM License Service is not a Flexera product.  If you have installed commercial IBM Software in a Kubernetes Container then the IBM License Service will be installed.  That is contractual requirement from IBM so that peak license consumption for PVU and Cloud Pak sub-capacity license can be tracked and measured for the software in your container.

[mmfish1]

The IBM License service will be installed as part of the IBM products we are using?  I just want to confirm if I need to install or configure anything on the IBM license service end.

[kclausen]

@mmfish1 - The Flexera Kubernetes Agent will connect with the IBM License Services that is already running in the container.  For information on the IBM License Service, you can consult with IBM's documentation.  My guess is that when you deploy container images with IBM Software, it will automatically install and configure the IBM License Service.  Here are some FAQs from the IBM Web Site:

https://www.ibm.com/software/passportadvantage/containerlicenses.html

https://www.ibm.com/software/passportadvantage/containerfaqov.html

https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cpfs?topic=license-service

[mmfish1]

Is there any configuration that needs to be done with FlexNet to connect with IBM license service to get the data?

[kclausen · Accepted solution]

@mmfish1 - Yes, the instructions for installing and configuring the Flexera Kubernetes Agent is found here as a starting point:

https://docs.flexera.com/fnms/EN/WebHelp/index.html#tasks/InvSet-KubAgentDownload.html

The specific configuration to connect to the IBM License Service is found here:

https://docs.flexera.com/fnms/EN/WebHelp/index.html#topics/InvSet-KubAgentFeatures.html

[WStephans]

Does any one know if this is a true statement? "My guess is that when you deploy container images with IBM Software, it will automatically install and configure the IBM License Service". Or does the application team deploying the IBM Software also need to take an extra step of installing & configuring the IBM License Service?

Also, my customer's technical team mentioned that deploying and maintaining the Flexera Kubernetes agent was complicated and cumbersome and is thus resistant to deploying the agent. Is the only way to get IBM License Service data by deploying the Flexera Kubernetes agent? Is there no other integration to bring that data into FlexeraOne?

[JohnSorensenDK]

@WStephans 

The IBM Licensing Service installation question is an IBM question, but to my knowledge it's a task for the deployment team, e.g., the Installing License Service documentation seems to indicate this.

One of the Flexera Kubernetes agents is required to import the IBM License Service data into Flexera One.

Thanks,