LICENSE: License issue with ARMCLANG compiler

Information in this knowledgebase article applies to:

• MDK-ARM v4.x and v5.x
• ARMCLANG standalone compiler toolchain v6.7, v6.7.1 and v6.8
• Keil single user node-lock license and Keil floating license

SYMPTOM

After downloading the ARM Compiler (aka ARMCLANG) v6.7 or v6.8 standalone toolchain from developer.arm.com and importing into MDK installation folder, e.g. C:\Keil\ARM\ARMCLANG_v6.8\, the compiler toolchain always fails to find my valid MDK license, with error output as shown below:

armclang.exe: error: Failed to check out a license.Keil Licensing
error: No TOOLS.ini file found
armclang.exe: note: Check that your license details are correct in the License Management dialog of MDK.
...
ARMLMD_LICENSE_FILE: unset
LM_LICENSE_FILE: unset
ARM_TOOL_VARIANT: unset
ARM_PRODUCT_PATH: unset
Product location: C:\Keil\ARM\sw\mappings
Toolchain location: C:\Keil\ARM\ARMCLANG_v6.8\lib\tt_default\bin
Selected tool variant: mdk_pro
armclang.exe: note: - Checkout feature:
LIC0=TA.............
Feature version: 5.0201707
Keil error code: 1
Product: MDK Professional 5.24
Component: ARM Compiler 6.8
Tool: armclang [5cc60d00]

CAUSE

The reason for this issue is due to that the folder structure of the ARMCLANG v6.7, v6.7.1 or v6.8 standalone toolchain downloaded from developer.arm.com is different from what MDK requires. After installing the standalone ARMCLANG toolchain armclang.exe cannot find the TOOLS.ini file from MDK, which contains necessary licensing information.

RESOLUTION

As a workaround solution, copy all *.exe files from your ARMCLANG installation folder: e.g.
C:\Keil_v5\ARM\ARMCLANG_v6.8\lib\tt_default\bin
to
C:\Keil_v5\ARM\ARMCLANG_v6.8\bin\
and replace all *.exe files.

STATUS

Note that this issue only affects the ARMCLANG standalone compiler toolchain v6.7, v6.7.1 and v6.8 from developer.arm.com, when Keil single user node-lock license or Keil FLF-based floating license is used.

Version that do NOT have this issue:

• The built-in ARMCLANG compiler toolchain v6.7 and v6.8 inside MDK
• ARMCLANG compiler toolchain versions 6.9 and later - all the exe files are already in the /bin folder
• CoFlex floating license users.

MORE INFORMATION

• Refer to Application Note 267
• Refer to Manage ARM Compiler Versions in the µVision User's Guide.

SEE ALSO

• LICENSE: Single-User and Floating License Comparison

FORUM THREADS

The following Discussion Forum threads may provide information related to this topic.

• ArmClang.exe error: Failed to check out a license.Keil Licensing error: No TOOLS.ini file found

Last Reviewed: Monday, May 14, 2018