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Guided Azure Deployment

Use the EPLAN Platform in the Azure Cloud architecture!

EPLAN License Manager

General information

This template supports you in creating an EPLAN License Manager in your Azure subscription.

You will receive the following support:

  • A machine is created (DS2_v2)
  • The machine is added to the set domain
  • The EPLAN license manager is installed
  • Two shortcuts are created on the desktop:
    • Automatic DCOM configuration according to EPLAN specifications
    • Automatic firewall configuration according to EPLAN specifications

After completion, connect to the machine (bastion), and activate your network license on the EPLAN License Manager.

If you do not have a network license yet, contact the EPLAN sales department. After rolling out this Azure deployment, the responsibility and maintenance is in your hands.


Steps

To setup the EPLAN License Manager (ELM) via Azure Marketplace, make sure you are logged in with an account which has administrative rights in the Azure subscription.

  • Select the subscription, the resource group and the location in which the virtual machine shall be created.
  • Underneath, enter the VM name. EPLAN-ELM is predefined, but can be changed. The VM name may only contain letters, digits or dashes and cannot be longer than 15 characters. The virtual machine size is set to a DS2_v2 and cannot be changed.
  • Select the virtual network and the subnet.
  • In the Tab Credentials enter the Active Directory (AD) and the local user accounts. The AD user must have the permission to join the VM to the domain.

Ready - follow the next step!

You will find a file on the desktop called EPLAN_DCOM_Configuration.reg.

  • By double-clicking this icon, you will be asked if you want to import the values to the Windows Registry.
  • After confirming the message, the user group Authenticated Users will be added to the DCOM settings.

Note:

If you want to add a different user (group) to DCOM, you need to manually add it, as described in the ELM Installation Guide. The "EPLAN_DCOM_Configuration.reg" file is not needed in this case.

Ready - follow the next step!

You will find a file on the desktop called EPLAN_Firewall_Rules.ps1. This PowerShell Script will add the needed Firewall rules to the Defender Firewall.

  • Right-click the Icon and select Run with PowerShell.

Ready - follow the next step!

  • To activate an EPLAN License, double-click the ELM Configurator Icon. If you start the ELM Configurator for the first time, you will be prompted with the Select License Manager Dialog.
  • In most cases, the preselected Primary License Manager is correct.
  • If you have purchased the ELM Failover Module and want to set up the Standby ELM Server, select “Standby License Manager”
  • Enter your Entitlement ID (EID) in the text box Entitlement ID (EID) and click Activate Online.
  • A new window (right screenshot) will open which gives you an overview of your license. Click on Activate.
  • You will receive a message, that the license was successfully activated.
  • Your serial number will now be displayed in the serial number text field.
  • Click Update Service to apply the changes. You will receive a message, that the settings were successfully applied.
  • Well done! The ELM is now ready to use.

Note:

Please read the Deployment Guide of EPLAN Electric P8 to find out, how to connect the EPLAN Clients with the ELM.

Installation and support policy for virtual environments

The ability to use your software in a virtual environment depends on the specific product, the type of licensing, and whether the terms of use permit such virtualization. Therefore, please check the applicable TOS as well as the system requirements of the software to ensure that it can run in a virtual environment.

It is possible to install and run EPLAN software in virtualized environments, but thorough functional and performance testing must be performed. EPLAN has tested software in virtualized or server-based environments on a dedicated scale. Only testing can ensure that this solution meets your requirements. 

Microsoft Azure: If you decide to install and operate in Microsoft Azure, you will benefit from an installation package that we have tested as executable and preconfigured. We make this available to you in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace to facilitate the installation of an EPLAN environment, within your company's own Microsoft Azure subscription. 

Other cloud providers: If you would like to host the software in a virtual environment with another cloud provider, we do not currently offer an installation recommendation. In this case, after a preliminary discussion for your individual situation, we will be happy to offer you the opportunity to analyze and evaluate the feasibility together with our experts in the form of a consulting project. 

System integrations of third-party software: If you intend to integrate third-party software such as ERP, PDM/ PLM systems into your virtual environment, please contact our Professional Services experts, who will review the concrete implementation for your individual situation and discuss and evaluate it with you.

EPLAN offers customers with valid subscription and software service contracts technical support in the sense of the defined scope of services to ensure that your software functions properly. The scope of services for support, please refer to the respective service description.

We support you with questions regarding the EPLAN applications and products you are running in your virtual environment. Please refer to our terms and conditions for the warranty. 

The operation and maintenance of the virtual environment e.g. Microsoft Azure and the related infrastructure is the responsibility of the customer, therefore support requests must be made to the respective provider of the virtual environment.

It may be necessary to cooperate with the virtual environment provider to analyze an undesired behavior in the EPLAN application, this must be coordinated by the customer.

In exceptional cases, if the cause cannot be clearly identified in cooperation with the virtual environment provider, it is necessary to reproduce the undesired behavior in a physical environment.