Nodelocked version is the Vue version that is bound to your computer (and a second one that you own). Classical serial number entrance and activated for the machine you are working on.

In differnece to that is the floating license. This expects a network with a server running. On that server there is a licence server program running that shifts the license keys you own to the machine where Vue is started. And allows as many running copies of Vue as you own license keys. This is intended to production facilities where people are used to do work on different machines.

One day your ship comes in - but you're at the airport.