Licensing Tableau Desktop and Server on VMs
Configure Virtual Machines (VMs) to avoid licensing problems with Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server.
Tableau Server and Tableau Desktop licenses are linked to the hardware and machine identifiers of the host. Restarting a virtual machine instance can change those machine identifiers which breaks the licensing process. The Authorization-to-Run (ATR) service examines machine identifiers when it periodically verifies that Tableau Desktop is authorized to run. This makes Tableau Desktop licenses on VMs especially vulnerable to losing their license status.
▫️ Learn more about ATR and licensing on the Tableau Authorization-to-run (ATR) Servicepage.
Internet access required. ATR periodically requires internet access to a Tableau-hosted authorization-to-run (ATR) service.. Firewall configurations and network issues can prevent re-activation of licenses.
License Related Error Messages
Tableau Server is unlicensed.
How to Avoid Loss of License on VM Hosts
1) Static Machine Identifiers: MAC address and Virtual Machine ID
Configure the VM server so that the MAC address and Virtual Machine ID remain static. Work with the hosting provider to ensure that the MAC address and Virtual Machine ID remain static during a restart of the instance:
2) Tableau License Server & Virtual Desktop Support
Tableau’s authorization-to-run (ATR) service enables the Tableau license server to manage the activation limits and deactivations of the virtual machines (VMs). The Tableau Authorization-to-run (ATR) Service page has instructions on how to configure ATR to reduce license deactivation.
Related Pages
Tableau (Sales Forces) Pages
Error "Tableau Server is Unlicensed" After Restarting Software or Rebooting VM Due to a Non-Static Host or Expired License Key --
Includes additional workarounds; Info about bringing up cloned images.
search terms: Configure Virtual Machine, VM, Setup VM, install Tableau on VM, deploy VM, Tableau Server on VM, tableau licensing, loss of license