Editions and Licensing¶
A license file from Infolytik turns on the MetaMiner Server and decides its edition, its expiry date and whether the Power BI module is available.
How it works¶
- The license is a file (
.licor.l4j) that you place inserver\licenses\and select in the MetaMiner Administrator. See Apply a License Key. - The server checks the license when it starts. Without a valid license it does not start.
- The server re-checks the license every day shortly after midnight (server time). If the license has expired or is no longer valid, the server stops.
- The MetaMiner Administrator title bar shows the edition. When fewer than 365 days remain it also shows the days left.
- Clients receive the license features from the server; menus and tabs for features the license does not include are hidden or disabled.
Renew before the expiry date
An expired license stops the MetaMiner Server at the next daily check. Plan the renewal so the new file is in place before that date.
Power BI enablement¶
Fabric and Power BI collection is a module of the license.
| License | Effect |
|---|---|
| Power BI module enabled | The MetaMiner Administrator offers Add Power BI, the server collects every enabled Power BI environment, and the client shows the Power BI tabs. |
| Power BI module not enabled | The server does not start any Power BI collection and writes PBI module is not enabled in your license to server\logs\server.log. |
A license can be Power BI only. With such a license, the MetaMiner Administrator hides the BusinessObjects environment list, and the client hides tabs that only apply to BusinessObjects.
The Power BI module also needs PostgreSQL 16
Even with a valid license, Power BI collection starts only when the MetaMiner Database runs on PostgreSQL 16 or later. See Choose the MetaMiner Database.
Editions¶
The edition is part of the license. Use Help > Compare Editions in the MetaMiner Administrator or Client for the current comparison.
| Capability | Requires |
|---|---|
| Power BI Explorer, impact analysis, security matrix | Power BI module |
| Entra Users/Groups tab | Power BI module and a non-Community edition |
| Export of Meta Query results to a Fabric lakehouse | Power BI module, a non-Community edition, and delegated user sign-in |
| Backup and restore of workspaces and items | Power BI module and the MetaMiner Power BI tenant-admin permission for the user |
| Power BI Usage dashboards | Power BI module and the MetaMiner Web Apps service |
TODO: confirm the public edition matrix for Fabric and Power BI
Confirm with product management which editions are sold for Fabric and Power BI today, their names, whether the Community edition can run Power BI at all (Community uses an embedded H2 database, and Power BI requires PostgreSQL 16), and whether backup and restore or the Usage dashboards are licensed separately.
TODO: confirm whether the license limits the number of Power BI environments
The BusinessObjects edition limits enabled environments per license. Confirm whether the same limit applies to Power BI environments (one environment = one tenant).
Key terms¶
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| License file | The .lic or .l4j file issued by Infolytik |
| Edition | The product tier stated in the license |
| Power BI module | The license feature that enables Fabric and Power BI collection |
| Days left | Remaining validity, shown in the MMA title bar when under 365 days |