Methods, apparatus and a computer program product provide for a Tolerant License Manager that defines a cluster of a plurality of network controllers, wherein each respective network controller contributes at least one license to a current total amount of licenses in a license pool. The Tolerant License Manager identifies at least one threatened access point upon detecting a first network controller has become unavailable. Each threatened access point comprises any access point connected to the first network controller when the first network controller becomes unavailable. The Tolerant License Manager establishes (and/or) approves a connection between a back-up controller and the threatened access point(s). While the first network controller is unavailable, the Tolerant License Manager allocates a license to each threatened access point via the back-up network controller.