We use a license server in the Control domain, where all of the PLCs are. 6 RSLogix 5000, 2 RSLogix 500, RSNetworx for Cnet, Dnet, Enet. Factorytalk view, historian. One of the panelbuilder systems that needs a license.
A couple of laptops are set up for RSLogix 5000, RS Studio, RSlogix 500, Panelbuilder, Component workbench .. I think that's it.
Wired network connection to the control domain when we are connected to any of the ControlLogix or Micrologix to access the license server. You can use the license server from laptop or virtual desktops use to program in the Control domain. As for the 7 day issue .. my experience is that when the laptop sees a valid license, it is good to go the next time you use it. That's when the 7 day timer seems to start. We just back up the PLC and panelview files once a week so the laptops have them locally .. just in case. Normally we load the program files from the network before using them to ensure the latest copy. But it the server is down, we have a recent copy so most of the documentation is there.
The license server is a VM. There is a jump point in the DMZ ... a bit fuzzy on that one ... that allows the VM to get windows updates. We vet the Rockwell updates and install them via a system called Bomgar, from our desktops (admin domain) to the server in the control domain.
We have a dongle and tried using it, but it took one of each license permanently off the license server. The 7 day thing works fine for us so far. Our dongle does not have any licenses on it right now.