Getting Started
Babel Licensing is a set of components and tools for building and managing licensed applications. Some components run on the server, others inside the client application.
The server-side components of Babel Licensing include:
- Babel Licensing Database: This is a database that stores license-related information such as license keys, expiration dates, and license usage. It supports different database providers such as SQL Server, MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite and PostgreSQL. The database can be installed on-premises or on a cloud platform.
- Babel Licensing Services: This is a centralized service that manages licenses over a network. It provides features such as license activation, license validation, and floating licenses. The service can be installed on-premises or on a cloud platform.
The client-side component of Babel Licensing are:
- Babel.Licensing NuGet package: This provides .NET client libraries to access the Babel Licensing Services.
- Babel.Data NuGet package: Provides the types to access the Babel Licensing Database.
These client-side components allow developers to integrate licensing into their applications and manage licenses from within the application.
The service is managed with these tools:
- Babel Desktop: the cross-platform desktop application for Windows, macOS and Linux, which also manages the service (see Babel Desktop).
- Web application: included in the service package and unlocked by a Data Center license.
- lic CLI: a dotnet tool that generates digitally signed license files. It is useful for automating license generation and can be integrated into any build system.
Supported databases
Babel Licensing Service 12.0 supports SQL Server, MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite and PostgreSQL on Windows, Linux and macOS. Select the provider in the service configuration; Babel Desktop connects to the service endpoint, not directly to its database.
| Database | Provider | Connection string key | Default port |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server | SQLServer | ConnectionStrings:SQLServer | 1433 |
| MySQL / MariaDB | MySQL | ConnectionStrings:MySQL | 3306 |
| PostgreSQL | PostgreSQL | ConnectionStrings:PostgreSQL | 5432 |
| SQLite | SQLite | ConnectionStrings:SQLite | Local file |
Configure and start the Licensing Service yourself, including a local SQLite service. Babel Desktop does not install, start or stop it. Point the Desktop connection profile at the service’s HTTP/HTTPS endpoint.