How to Start Your MATLAB License Manager on Boot Using systemd in CentOS 7

Описание: Learn how to create a `systemd` service unit file to start your MATLAB License Manager at boot without requiring user credentials in CentOS 7.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/41254104/ asked by the user 'Dan' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1567509/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/62671421/ provided by the user 'Sandeep Gaikwad' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/10828282/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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How to Start Your MATLAB License Manager on Boot Using systemd in CentOS 7

If you’re using CentOS 7 and working with MATLAB, you might encounter the challenge of setting up your MATLAB License Manager to start automatically at boot. Many users find that executing commands like systemctl start license-manager prompts for a password, which is not ideal for a service that you want to run automatically. In this guide, we’ll explain how to create a systemd service unit file that allows your license manager to start without needing additional credentials. Let's dive in!

Understanding the Issue

The question at hand is about managing the MATLAB License Manager as a user through systemd services. The user envisions running these commands, but the requirement for a password when executing them can be a bottleneck in automation. The objective is to set up the service correctly so that it operates seamlessly, running under the right user parameters, and starts at system boot.

What is systemd?

systemd is a system and service manager for Linux operating systems. It is responsible for initializing system components and managing system services, enabling a more organized way of handling processes, particularly on boot.

Creating the Service Unit File

Let's start with the basics: you already have a service unit file, but you may need to modify the way it is set up or run.

Here’s the outline of your current unit file:

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This file is mostly correct but ensure that you replace /usr/local/MATLAB/R2016a with the version you are using, if necessary.

Common Improvements to the Unit File

User Specification: You are already specifying User=lmlicenseuser. This is critical as we want the license manager to run with specific user permissions.

Change Permissions: Make sure that lmlicenseuser has the necessary permissions to execute lmstart and lmdown.

Reload and Enable the Service

After fully reviewing and making any necessary changes to your license-manager.service file, you need to perform the following steps:

Reload the systemd daemon: This updates systemd with any changes made to unit files.

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Enable the service to start at boot:

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Start the service manually for the first time:

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Check the status: Ensure that your service is running correctly.

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Alternative: Using Crontab for Automation

If you find that the systemd method doesn’t work for your case, you can also use crontab for a straightforward solution to run your license manager at boot. Here’s how:

Edit crontab:

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Add the following line to schedule the command at boot:

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With this, your MATLAB License Manager will start each time your machine boots, without needing to input a password.

Final Thoughts

By utilizing systemd or crontab, you can effectively manage your MATLAB License Manager service on CentOS 7, ensuring it starts up automatically without user intervention. Following the outlined steps should resolve the initial issues you were facing with passwords when trying to start or stop the service. Make sure to test your configuration thoroughly to guarantee everything runs smooth at boot!

Feel free to leave comments or ask questions if you're still facing challenges with your setup!