FME Desktop Esri Edition with ArcGIS Desktop licensing requirements when running on a VM in a remote network

Hi!

I’ve recently installed and licensed FME Desktop Esri Edition (on 32Bit) on a VM within an isolated network. I need to use the ArcSDE Geodb Reader of FME, to have access to Network and Relationship information, and as a pre-requisite I’ve also installed the ArcGIS Desktop (by default on 32Bit). I have not yet licensed the ArcGIS Desktop that I’ve installed along with the FME. Still, I can call and start to configure the ArcSDE Geodb Reader.

My goal is to connect to several ArcGIS VMs within the same isolated network. I’ve received a bunch of .sde database connection files that I’ve used in the configuration of the ArcSDE Geodb Reader. I do not know exactly if these VMs that I’m trying to connect to are running just a database or have ArcGIS software installed and licensed as well (like ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS Server). I have little knowledge about the ArcGIS architecture. I know that there are several ArcGIS models dispersed on a bunch of VMs.

My problem occurs in the set-up of the ArcSDE Reader when I’m trying to select the Tables that I want to read (the .sde connection file is alright). I get what seems to be a licensing error:

“Could not open the Enterprise Geodatabase. The error number from ArcObjects is: '-2147220952'. The error message from ArcObjects is: {The Product License has not been initialized.}”

My questions would be: Do I have to license the ArcGIS Desktop that I’ve installed locally along with FME Desktop? Can I license the ArcGIS Desktop on this VM independent of the others ArcGIS installations in the network? Will it work? Or should I check the licensing procedure of ArcGIS for the other VMs in the network (should I check for a licensing server, or ask for a floating license)?

For sure a licensed ArcGIS is required; is it for the local ArcGIS installed as pre-requisite? I’ve consulted the following material:

-         https://community.safe.com/s/article/required-arcgis-license-types-for-fme-geodatabase

-         https://community.safe.com/s/article/geodatabase-formats-missing-greyed-out-or-have-unm

-         https://community.safe.com/s/article/notes-on-fme-and-esri-versions-and-compatibility

-         https://docs.safe.com/fme/html/FME_Desktop_Documentation/FME_ReadersWriters/geodatabase/GEODATABASE_SDE_reader.htm

Thank you for your thoughts!