What is a local session?

Windows NT and 2000: A local Windows session is defined by a user name and a host (machine) name. All sessions executed by the same user on the same local host check out only one license. For example, a user can execute two ARC sessions, one ArcMap session and an ArcToolbox session on their local computer and only check out one seat.

UNIX: A local session runs on a local UNIX CPU and is defined by a user name, a host (machine) name and the local display device. If you start an ARC session on your local workstation with the display set locally, you will be running ArcInfo locally using one seat no matter how many similar sessions of ARC you open. However, additional seats will be checked out if the display setting is changed to a different machine.

Systems with multiple display terminals use seats according to their display configuration. A system with one host and multiple display terminals, each configured as a separate display device, will use as many seats as there are display devices.