Applies To
Express Meter version 3.5 through 3.6
Express Software Manager version 4.x or higher

Summary
Express Meter clients running on workstations need a solid connection to the file server where the Express Meter application library resides. This technical note describes what behavior to expect if, for some reason, the Express Meter client and the application library cannot communicate.

The connection between the Express client and the application library may be compromised for several different reasons: the server containing the application library may become unavailable, for example, or a network cable may stop working.

Expected Behavior
If communication is interrupted between the Express client and the application library, the Express client automatically suspends metering activity until the server becomes available again. Currently-metered applications continue running, but their usage is not reported to the application library. The application library retains the usage information gathered before the clients suspended metering. Applications that are started when metering is suspended are neither metered nor reported to the application library.

The Express client will reconnect to the application library when a user restarts their computer. Once the connection is restored, the Express client resumes metering and updates the usage information in the application library.

Note: If metering does not resume when the connection to the application library is restored, you may need to reboot the workstation and run the login script again.

Isolating the Problem
If the application library is unavailable, the list of metered applications in the Express Client window will be empty. When users start applications, they will not be added to the list. In addition, the client window will show "Disabled" for Metering Status if the Express client attempted a full synchronization to the application library while it was unavailable.

Note: For additional Express client troubleshooting steps, see technical note 1587, Troubleshooting Express Client Problems.

Viewing the Express Client window (Express Software Manager 4.x or higher)
To view the Express Client window on a user's workstation, click Run on the Start menu. On the command line, enter:

excli32.exe

Viewing the Express Client window (Express Meter 3.x)
To view the Express Client window on a user's workstation, click Run on the Start menu. On the command line, enter:

c:\em32.exe

or

c:\em.exe

Contacting Express Metrix
For further assistance with Express Meter or Express Software Manager, contact Express Metrix technical support.

Related Technical Notes

9989	Express Software Manager 6.x Technical Notes
9991	Express Software Manager Technical Notes (5.x or lower)