How does a Stata network license work?

Stata is a stand-alone application and does not have separate server/client components. However, Stata can take advantage of either a server’s resources or a client’s resources, depending on how Stata is installed.

Windows

By default, the networked version of Stata for Windows is set up so that Stata uses the client machine’s resources. Stata is installed on a file server, and shortcuts pointing to the Stata executable on the server are created for the client machine. When Stata is opened from a client machine, it uses the client machine’s resources.

If you want Stata to use the server’s resources, your server must be configured to use Windows Terminal Services.

Macintosh

By default, the networked version of Stata for Macintosh is set up so that Stata uses the client machine’s resources. Stata is installed on a file server, but, when Stata is opened from a client machine, it uses the client machine’s resources.

Unix

By default, the networked version of Stata for Unix is set up so that Stata uses the server machine's resources. A user will telnet or ssh into the Unix server and run Stata using the server’s resources. You have the option of using NFS and symbolic links to use the client machine’s resources as well.

Hardware

For information on what type of hardware you should purchase for your server, point your Web browser to the URL below to read an FAQ on hardware requirements.

stata.com/support/faqs/windows/hardware-requirements