---
type: concept
title: Network Licenses
tags: [licensing, software-management]
related: ["spss-amos", "stata"]
created: 2026-07-01
updated: 2026-07-01
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_support_downloads_software_spss_amos.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_support_downloads_software_stata.md"]
---

# Network Licenses

**Network Licenses** (Netzwerklizenzen) are a software licensing model where a fixed number of licenses are hosted on a central server and shared among a larger pool of authorized users, rather than being tied to a specific machine or individual user.

## Mechanism and Characteristics
- **Concurrent Usage**: The primary constraint is the maximum number of users who can access the software simultaneously. Instead of assigning a unique license key to every individual user, the system tracks usage in real-time.
- **Check-out/Check-in Process**: A user "checks out" a license when they launch the software and "checks it in" (releases it) when they close the application.
- **Flexibility**: Any eligible user on the network can launch the software as long as a license "seat" is available.
- **Centralized Management**: Licenses are typically managed by a central IT entity (e.g., the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]]).

## Application at Universität Greifswald

The university utilizes network licenses for several software packages with varying limits:

### [[spss-amos]]
According to the SPSS Amos documentation, the university provides 80 network licenses. This allows up to 80 users to utilize the software simultaneously across various platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux) or within URZ computer labs. If all 80 licenses are in use, subsequent users must wait until a license becomes available.

### [[stata]]
According to the Stata documentation, different editions have specific concurrent user limits:
- **SE Edition**: 25 concurrent users.
- **IC Edition**: 100 concurrent users.