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IBM License Metric Tool
What it is
IBM License Metric Tool inventories IBM core-based software and measures the licenses required in full-capacity and virtualization sub-capacity environments. IBM recommends it for full-capacity licensing and requires it for sub-capacity licensing. It scans infrastructure for installed IBM software and version details that can help with version management and security patching. For sub-capacity use, it provides audit reports, utilization thresholds, and email notifications when thresholds are near or exceeded. Three installation modes are available: License Metric Tool Lite, Ansible, and BigFix. It also integrates with BigFix and offers a REST API for external systems, which must retrieve data through the API rather than access its database directly. The on-premises tool has a free plan listed as free; customers supply hardware and installation services. Linux installations require DB2, included at no charge for use only with the tool. Windows installations require the customer's MS SQL Server, with SQL Server Express supported for environments under 500 endpoints. Sub-capacity customers must begin using it within 90 days of deploying their first eligible product and retain quarterly audit snapshots for at least two years.
For and against
For
- Free plan listed as free
- Scans IBM software and reports version details
- Provides sub-capacity audit reports and threshold alerts
- Offers Lite, Ansible, and BigFix installation modes
Against
- Windows installation requires a customer-provided MS SQL Server
- Sub-capacity use requires quarterly snapshots retained for two years
- Ansible platform itself is outside IBM support
The verdict
IBM License Metric Tool supports IBM software discovery, license measurement, and sub-capacity audit reporting. Its free plan comes with installation requirements and specific deadlines and retention duties for sub-capacity compliance.
Who it suits
It suits organizations managing IBM software licenses across full-capacity and virtualized sub-capacity environments. Teams should account for its server database requirements and sub-capacity audit schedule.
Plans and prices
IBM License Metric Tool
Download from Passport Advantage · Customers supply hardware and installation services
Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
On the record
- Audit retention
- For sub-capacity compliance, audit snapshots must be generated quarterly and stored for at least two years.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Container and Kubernetes scope
- The tool can discover software in Docker and Podman containers under stated scanning conditions, but IBM says to use IBM License Service for software running on Kubernetes or Red Hat OpenShift.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Database requirements
- A Linux server installation requires DB2, which is included at no charge for use only with the tool; a Windows installation requires the customer’s own MS SQL Server instance, with MS SQL Server Express supported for environments under 500 endpoints.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Discovery
- It scans infrastructure to identify installed IBM software and report version details useful for version management and security patching.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The three installation modes are License Metric Tool Lite, License Metric Tool with Ansible, and License Metric Tool with BigFix.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The tool integrates with BigFix and provides a REST API for external systems; data must be retrieved through the API rather than directly from its database.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Licensing role
- IBM recommends the tool for full-capacity licensing and requires it for sub-capacity licensing.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The tool inventories core-based software in full-capacity and virtualization sub-capacity environments and measures required product licenses.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Reports and alerts
- It provides sub-capacity audit reports, license utilization thresholds, and email notifications when thresholds are approached or exceeded.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security and data handling
- It collects hardware and software data needed to identify IBM software and license metric use; data is sent externally only when IBM Software Central integration is configured, and then on demand.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Setup deadline
- Customers must install and begin using the tool within 90 days of deploying their first eligible sub-capacity product.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support limitation
- IBM support covers the disconnected scanners and tool server, but not the Ansible platform itself.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Update cadence
- IBM says the tool is updated quarterly and advises customers to use the latest version.ibm.com · read 8 Oct 2026
