DBC .set file syntax

A .set file can contain information about how DBC programs behave. These are not user preferences. The name of the .set file is the same as the executable except for the .set extension. For example, for DBC Finance, the executable is "finance.exe" and the .set file should be named "finance.set" (no implied .txt extension). The .set file should be located in the same directory as the executable.

A large user base may require using a combination of license methods. A .set file may have any licensing method multiple times in any order. Each licensing method will be attempted in the order it appears in the .set file. Use Notepad to edit/create the .set file.

If no licensing methods are specified in the .set file, the default sequence is:

Internet license
single user USB port license key
DBCAppServer (network broadcast or multicast)

If no working license is found, the DBC program will exit and the diagnostics tool (Please select your DBC license prompt) will pop up, select Don't know, continue to the end and send the e-mail.

Here are the different licensing methods that may be specified in a .set file. Installing DBC programs and licenses is beyond the scope of this document.

Internet license request to dbcinc.com

INET_LICENSE [use [license_number]]

[license_number] - a specific Internet license.

Multiple Internet licenses can be prioritized using the Internet license manager. Use "use" to indicate a specific Internet license should be used. This would override any ordering in the Internet license manager.

Note: If INET_LICENSE is not present in the .set file, an Internet License will be attempted before any other method. To prioritize an Internet license after another license method, insert INET_LICENSE where appropriate.

Single user license key plugged into a USB port on the PC where the DBC program is running

USB_BLOCK

The USB drivers should be installed on any PC where the USB license key is plugged in.

Network license managed by the DBCAppServer program (network license key required)

LICENSE_SERVER {[ip_address]} {[tcpip_port]} { MOBILE }

[ip_address] - the IP address or name of the server PC running DBCAppServer.
  If omitted, the DBC program will use a network broadcast to locate DBCAppServer.

where:

[tcpip_port] - the port used by DBCAppServer to communicate with the DBC program.  If omitted, the default is 4046.

MOBILE (keyword) - only applicable if the network license key is programmed with unlimited licenses.

For example, to instruct DBC Finance to find DBCAppServer at IP address 123.123.123.123, finance.set should be:

LICENSE_SERVER 123.123.123.123 4046

It will take about 20 seconds for a failed LICENSE_SERVER request to timeout so LICENSE_SERVER lines should appear last in the .set file.

For more information about DBCAppServer.

Temporary "blockless" (electronic) license specified in the .set file

ID [code]

where:

[code] - an alpha-numeric string containing license information.

An ID line is inserted at the top of the .set file by opening a .upd file provided by DBC.

Single user license key plugged into a parallel port on the PC where the DBC program is running

SECURITY_BLOCK

The parallel port drivers should be installed on any PC where the parallel port license key is plugged in.

Note, DBC no longer distributes parallel port license keys. You may exchange them for an Internet license.