SolidNetWork License Installation

Introduction

The SolidNetWork License (SNL) allows users to install more seats of the SolidWorks® software (including SolidWorks Office, SolidWorks Office Professional, and SolidWorks Office Premium) and add-in products than they have licenses for, by floating the use of those seats without exceeding the number of licenses purchased.

This guide is not meant to describe all capabilities available with FLEX2lm® license management. For more information, see the FLEX2lm End Users Guide.

Overview

  The following image shows an example of a typical SNL installation. This image shows that the:

• USB or parallel port dongle is attached to the license server.
• SNL Manager software is installed to the license server only.
• License clients do not have any additional SNL-specific software installed. While you install the SolidWorks software on the license clients, the serial number indicates that the computer is an SNL client, which prompts the SNL client install dialog box. When you type the license servers address, the client is connected to the server.

Minimum requirements

SNL has requirements in addition to the SolidWorks software requirements:

• The license server and all license clients must be on the same network, using TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).
• The dongle must be attached to either the parallel port or USB port (depending on the type of dongle you have) on the license server.

• The license server must have a license file (hereafter called an SNL File), related to the dongle in its parallel port or USB port.

To obtain an SNL File:

1. Go to https://customercenter.solidworks.com/eservice_enu/start.swe?SWECmd=Start.

2. Sign in with your Sign-In Name and Password, or create a new account.

3. Click SolidWorks eRegistration.

4. Enter your serial number and other requested information.

A license file is emailed to you.

5. When you receive the email, copy the SNL file (text file) to your hard drive.

If you have problems with your SNL file, send an email to snl@solidworks.com.

Section 1: License server installations

This section details typical license server installations on a network. The network may consist of both license clients and application and license clients.

The license server may do one of the following:

• Distribute only the SolidWorks license.
• Distribute the SolidWorks license and run the SolidWorks software.

Install the license server first. When the license clients are installed, they must confirm that contact can be made with the license server.

Install the license server through the console session on the server. Either log in directly to the console or connect to the server through Remote Desktops Microsoft Management console Snap-in program with Connect to console selected.

License server installation

The license server supports multiple license clients. It distributes licenses to clients on the network.

To perform a license server installation:

1. Insert SolidWorks Disk 1 into the CD-ROM drive of the license server.
2. In the dialog box, click Other Products.
3. Click SolidNetWork License Manager, then click Install.
4. Follow the on-screen directions until the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box appears.  
5. Under Server Type, select Single.

6. Click Next.

7. In the Server Information box:

   1. If your company uses a firewall, select A firewall is in use on this server.

   2. Leave the Port Number and Vendor Daemon Port Number as their default values, or type the port numbers that your company uses.

The port number is a TCP/IP port number in the range 1024 - 60000 that cannot be used by any other process. The default, 25734, is normally suitable and is unlikely to be the same as any other FLEX2lm server process currently on the license server.

8. Click Next.
9. Click Read to enter the license information.
10. In the Read Licenses dialog box, click Browse.
11. In the Select a file containing license information dialog box, browse to the SNL File, then click Open.
12. Click OK to close the Read Licenses dialog box.

The licenses appear in the SolidNetWork License File Wizard.

13. Click Finish twice.

License server and administrative image installation

The license server and administrative image installation supports one computer on the network to distribute both the SNL and the SolidWorks software. The clients obtain a license from the license server and then run the SolidWorks software from the same computer.

This configuration requires the license server and administrative image installations on the same computer.

To perform the license server and administrative image installation:

1. Install the license server, as described in To perform a license server installation.
2. Use the document, SolidWorks Installation and Service Packs Guide, and follow the instructions to create an administrative image.

Additional license server information

The SNL Manager is a convenient means of configuring a FLEX2lm server, and it includes common configuration installs. However, the FLEX2lm software provides additional options. For more information, see:

<SolidNetWork_License_Manager_install_dir>\docs\flexuser\toc.htm

For example, SolidWorks can register idle time with the server so that licenses that have not been used for a certain amount of time are returned to the free license pool. You must create the text file:

<SolidNetWork_License_Manager_install_dir>\Licenses\sw_d.opt

and edit it to contain the following line:

TIMEOUTALL seconds

Replace seconds with a number greater than or equal to 900 (15 minutes), which is the minimum time allowed.

Triad server specific installation information

• Three dongles are required.
• Install triad servers on stable computers. Do not install on computers that are frequently restarted or shut down.
• The three servers should be on the same subnet. Never configure triad servers with slow communications or dial-up links.
• The system administrator should detect when a server goes down and restart it as soon as possible. If only two servers are running, the situation is worse than a single license server, because there are two points of failure. You are twice as likely to lose all licenses than if you had a single license server.

Triad servers should not be used at sites:

• With no system administrators, because triad servers require administrative attention.
• Where a single computer is a point of failure for the system. If all end-user data is on a single file server, there is no benefit in using triad servers.

To install the SNL File on a triad server:

Installing the first triad server:

1. Install the first triad server by completing steps 1 to 4 in To perform a license server installation.
2. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard, under Server Type, select Triad.
3. Click Next.
4. In the Server Information box, click Next.
5. Type the Computer Name and Dongle ID for the Triad Partner 1 and Triad Partner 2 servers.

This ensures that if one of the servers becomes unavailable, the client will still be able to get a license from the two other servers (as long as they are available).

6. Click Next.
7. Click Read to enter the license information.
8. In the Read Licenses dialog box, click Browse.
9. In the Select a file containing license information dialog box, browse to the license file, then click Open.

10. In the Read Licenses dialog box, click OK.

The licenses appear in the SolidNetWork License File Wizard.

11. Click Finish.

The SolidNetWork License File Wizard warning dialog box appears.

12. Click OK, then click Finish.

Installing the other two servers:

Before installing the second and third triad servers, make sure the second and third servers can see the SNL File (sw_d.lic) of the first server on the network.

1. Complete steps 1 to 4 in To perform a license server installation.
2. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard, under Server Type, select:

• Triad

• Synchronize server/license information

3. Click Next.
4. In the Triad Server Information dialog box, click Next.
5. Click Read to enter the license information.
6. In the Read Licenses dialog box, click Browse.

7. In the Select a file containing license information dialog box, browse to sw_d.lic on the first triad server, then click Open.

The SNL File is located in the licenses folder where the first triad server was installed.

8. In the Read Licenses dialog box, click OK.

The licenses appear in the SolidNetWork License File Wizard.

9. Click Finish.

10. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard warning dialog box, click OK.
11. Repeat steps 1 to 10 for the remaining server.

Section 2: Client installations

This section guides you in license client, and license and application client installations.

License client installation

You must install the license server prior to installing a license client.

To perform a license client installation:

1. Insert SolidWorks Disk 1 into the CD-ROM drive of the client computer.
2. In the dialog box, click Install SolidWorks.

The serial number you enter indicates that the computer is a license client.

3. Follow the on-screen directions until the SolidNetWork License Administrator dialog box appears.
4. Click Add.

5. In the Add Server dialog box, type the license servers address in the form:

port@ComputerName

The port number must be the same one used for the server. The default is 25734 as described in To perform a license server installation.

6. Click OK.
7. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the installation.

To perform a silent license client installation:

Use the document, SolidWorks Installation and Service Packs Guide, and follow the instructions under "Passing properties to a silent installation."

License and application client installation

You install a license and application client the same way as you install a license client computer.

To perform an application and license client installation:

1. Install the license client as described in To perform a license client installation.
2. Use the document, SolidWorks Installation and Service Packs Guide, and follow the instructions under "SolidWorks Administrative Director."

Section 3: Upgrading an SNL installation

If the SNL File expires, you must upgrade to a new license.

NOTES:

• You must upgrade the SNL File prior to running a newer major version of SolidWorks (not a SolidWorks service pack). For example, if you have a SolidNetWork License for SolidWorks 2005, it is invalid for the SolidWorks 2006 SNL Manager.

• For sites that use SolidWorks 2005 and SolidWorks 2006:

If any SolidWorks 2005 licenses at your site will not be upgraded to SolidWorks 2006, the 2006 SNL Manager can distribute licenses to both 2005 and 2006 license clients.

• You must upgrade the SNL Manager to run a new major SNL version of SolidWorks (not a SolidWorks service pack); uninstall the old SNL Manager and install the new one.

• Before you upgrade the SNL Manager, make sure:
  • You have received the new SNL File. Subscription customers receive a new license file via email before their current license expires. Non-subscription customers can upgrade only their license file, not the SNL Manager, because they do not receive new major versions of the SolidWorks software. See To upgrade the license file without upgrading the SNL Manager.
  • No clients are running SolidWorks. In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator. The License Usage tab shows clients running SolidWorks.

To upgrade the SNL Manager on a license server:

1. In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator.
2. In the dialog box, on the Server Administration tab, under License Server, click Stop.
3. Click OK.
4. In the Windows Start menu, open the Control Panel.
5. Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
6. In the dialog box, click SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager.
7. Click Remove, and confirm the deletion.
8. In Windows Explorer, delete the SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager folder.
9. Install the new SNL Manager as described in To perform a license server installation, and browse to the new license file when prompted.
10. Use the document, SolidWorks Installation and Service Packs Guide, and follow the instructions to install the new SolidWorks service pack.

To upgrade the SNL Manager on an application server:

1. Complete the steps in To upgrade the SNL Manager on a license server.
2. Install the new SNL Manager as described in To perform a license server installation.
3. Use the document, SolidWorks Installation and Service Packs Guide, and follow the instructions to install the new SolidWorks service pack.

To upgrade the license file without upgrading the SNL Manager:

1. In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator.
2. In the dialog box, on the Server Administration tab, under License Server, click Stop.
3. Under License File, click Modify.
4. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box, click Next.
5. In the Server Information box, click Next.

6. In the Licenses box, click Read.

It is recommended that you remove old or expired licenses that the new license replaces. See To delete an old or expired SNL File.

7. In the Read Licenses dialog box, click Browse to browse to the new SNL File, then click OK.

8. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box, select Reread license file (after Finish).

9. Click Finish.

10. In the SolidNetWork License Administrator dialog box, under License Server, click Start.

11. Click OK.
12. Use the document, SolidWorks Installation and Service Packs Guide, and follow the instructions to install the new SolidWorks service pack.

To apply a service pack to an SNL Manager:

You do not apply a service pack directly to a SNL Manager.

Follow the instructions in To upgrade the SNL Manager on a license server.

To delete an old or expired SNL File:

1. In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator.  
2. In the dialog box, on the Server Administration tab, under License File, click Modify.
3. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box, click Next.
4. In the Server Information box, click Next.
5. In the Licenses box, select the old or expired SNL File, then click Remove.

6. Click Finish.
7. Click OK.

The SNL File is deleted.

Section 4: Stopping a client's SNL connection

If you want to terminate a client's SNL connection, you can manually "kill" the license. For example, if the timeout feature is enabled for two hours (the default), you can end a client's session before it expires.

The client must be logged on to the license server for at least two minutes to stop the SNL connection.

To stop a client's SNL connection:

1. Open the Command Prompt window.
2. In the window, use the cd (change directory) command and enter:

cd <SolidNetWork_License_Manager_install_dir>\utils

3. At the command prompt, type:

lmutil lmremove <feature> <user> <computer> <display>

where feature is the application, user is the username, computer is the computer name, and display is the display name.

For example, when you terminate the SolidWorks software running on an individual computer where user = doc, computer = corp, and display = corp, enter the command:

lmutil lmremove solidworks doc corp corp

When you terminate the SolidWorks software running with a remote desktop connection where computer = corpserver and display  = corp, enter the command:

lmutil lmremove solidworks doc corpserver corp

NOTES: Property names are case-sensitive. Each add-in (SolidWorks Animator, FeatureWorks, and so on) must be stopped separately. You may want to configure the SNL timeout feature to the 15 minute minimum. That way, after 15 minutes of idle time, the license is put back in the free license pool, as discussed in Additional license server information.

Section 5: Using SNL with SolidWorks add-in products

Use the SNL Manager to distribute licenses for SolidWorks core add-in products such as SolidWorks Animator, FeatureWorks, and so on.

NOTES: If you borrow an add-in product license, you must borrow both the SolidWorks software license and the SolidWorks Office license to which the add-in is affiliated. For example, to borrow a PDMWorks license, you must borrow two licenses: the SolidWorks software license to run the SolidWorks software the SolidWorks Office Professional or SolidWorks Office Premium license to run PDMWorks You are not required to have the same number of SolidWorks software licenses and SolidWorks add-in licenses. For example, consider that you have 10 licenses of the SolidWorks software, but only 2 licenses of the FeatureWorks add-in. If the 2 licenses of FeatureWorks are checked out, and a user tries to check out FeatureWorks, a message indicates that the add-in is unavailable. The add-in is unavailable until someone releases a license. To check out an add-in product, the user must first check out a license of the SolidWorks software. To release an add-in product, the user must: Clear the add-in by clicking Tools, Add-ins in the SolidWorks software. - or - Exit the SolidWorks software.

Section 6: Borrowing SolidWorks licenses from a remote location

You can borrow a SolidWorks license so that you can use the SolidWorks software from a remote location. When you borrow a license, you must be connected to the license server. You do not need the connection to the license server while using the borrowed license.

For instance, you may use a laptop computer that is connected to the license server while you are at work, but is not connected when you take the computer home. You can borrow a license so that you can use the SolidWorks software from both home and work. The license is lent for a specified period of time, up to 30 days, (or as defined by your system administrator), and the license is removed from the available pool of licenses.

There are additional options that a system administrator can use to customize the borrowing of SolidWorks licenses. For example, a system administrator can:

• Define users or groups that are allowed to borrow licenses

• Set the number of licenses that cannot be borrowed

For more information, see: SolidNetWork_License_Manager_install_dir\Docs\flexuser\toc.htm

To borrow a SolidWorks license:

You must have the 2005 SNL Manager (or later) to borrow licenses.

1. In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, SolidWorks 2006, SolidWorks Tools, SolidNetWork License Administrator.  

2. In the dialog box, on the License Borrowing tab:

   1. Select a date in Borrow until to specify the length of time you want to borrow the license.

indicates today's date.

indicates the maximum number of days you can borrow the license.

2. Select the products to borrow, then click Borrow.

3. Click Yes to confirm the borrow.

4. Click Refresh. The Expire Date column indicates when licenses are due back.

3. Click OK.

To return a borrowed license:

1. In the Windows Start menu, click All Programs, SolidWorks 2006, SolidWorks Tools, SolidNetWork License Administrator.  

2. In the dialog box, on the License Borrowing tab:

   1. Select the products you want to return, then click Return.

   2. Click Yes to confirm the return.

   3. Click Refresh. The Expire Date column is blank, which indicates the licenses have been returned.

3. Click OK.

Section 7: SNL scenarios and troubleshooting

Conflicting versions of FLEX2lm

Other software applications also allow you to float licenses. The SolidWorks software uses FLEX2lm software to float licenses. If you have other software applications that also use FLEX2lm, you may have conflicting versions of FLEX2lm.

Port settings

Errors can occur when you:

• Use mismatched port settings between the license server and the license client.
• Do not use additional port settings when needed for multiple versions of SNL Managers.

SNL log file

If a user has a problem when checking out the SolidWorks software or a SolidWorks add-in, evaluate lmgrd.log in the SNL Manager installation directory for possible causes. This file should indicate why the error occurs.

Stacked dongles

Parallel port dongles can be chained ("stacked") together on the back of a license server. USB dongles cannot be chained, but multiple USB dongles can be plugged into a USB hub. When you have stacked dongles connected to the same port, the SNL Manager may not find the dongle for the SNL. It is recommended that you take off all stacked dongles and use only the SNL dongle to see if you have a problem with the specific dongle or with the way they are stacked.

SNL and firewalls

• Firewall software. If you use additional Internet firewall software, you must add the two ports (for example, 25734 and 25744) to your firewall exceptions list. See your system administrator for more information.

• Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1. If you use Windows XP Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2003 SP1 with Windows Firewall enabled, you must modify ports on the license server and modify the license file so that licenses are distributed to client machines.

To modify ports on the license server:

1. In Windows, open the Control Panel.

2. In the dialog box, double-click Security Center.

3. Click Windows Firewall.

4. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, on the Exceptions tab, click Add Port.

5. In the Add a Port dialog box, type a Name (for example, SNL-inport) and your Port number (for example, 25734).

6. Click OK.

7. Repeat step 3.

8. In the Add a Port dialog box, type a Name (for example, SNL-outport) and an available Port number (for example, 25744). Contact your system administrator to obtain a port number. You reference this port number in sw_d.lic in the next procedure.

If you use the PDMWorks™ application, you must modify PDMWorks port numbers in the Windows Firewall dialog box. See the PDMWorks Installation and Administration Guide.

9. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click OK.

10. Close the Windows Security Center and the Control Panel dialog boxes.

To modify the license file:

1. In Windows, click Start, All Programs, SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator.

2. In the dialog box, on the Server Administration tab, under License Server, click Stop.

3. Click Yes, then click OK.

4. Under License File, click Modify.

5. Click Next.

6. In the dialog box:

   1. Select A firewall is in use on this server.

   2. Leave the Port Number and Vendor Daemon Port Number as their default values, or type the port numbers that your company uses.

   3. Click Next.

7. Click Finish.

8. In the SolidNetWork License Administrator dialog box, under License Server, click Start.

9. Click OK twice.

Temporary "ANY" Licenses

The temporary "ANY" license creates an SNL file, which may be used to temporarily replace a dongle for:

• SNL installations that have experienced a dongle failure and a replacement dongle is not immediately available.

- or -

• New SNL installations.

By installing the "ANY" license file, you agree to implement the traditional, dongle-based license file upon receipt of an SNL dongle from SolidWorks Corporation. You are still required to comply with license restrictions as to the number of concurrent licenses in use at any time.

To install an "ANY" license file:

1. Uninstall the SNL Manager and delete the install folder.

2. Remove the dongle from your computer.

3. Follow the installation instructions under License server installations. Click Cancel when you see the following message:

"Could not read the Globetrotter dongle ID number.

Please make sure the dongle is firmly connected on this computer then press Retry."

The Dongle ID "ANY" appears automatically.

4. Continue with the installation instructions under License server installations.

Section 8: Glossary

Administrative image. A source image of the SolidWorks software on a network. It is similar to a source image on a CD-ROM. Users who have access to the administrative image can install the product from this source.

Application and license client. A computer that does not have the SolidWorks software installed. During the SolidWorks software installation, a "file client" installation must be performed on this computer for it to share the SolidWorks software with the license server. Each time the client runs the SolidWorks software from the administrative image, the client must also obtain a license from a server. (The application and the license may be served by the same computer or different computers.)

Application client. A computer that does not have the SolidWorks software installed; it runs SolidWorks from an administrative image. During the SolidWorks software installation, a "file client" installation must be performed on this computer for it to share the SolidWorks software with a server.

Checked out. When a user is granted a license and they start the SolidWorks software, the license is checked out. The total pool of licenses decreases by one.

Dongle. Also referred to as a hardware key, the dongle is a device that connects to a USB or parallel port. A dongle limits software access by distributing the available SolidWorks software licenses. The dongle is attached to the license server; only one is needed. Depending on the type of dongle you use, connect it to the USB or parallel port.

FLEX2lm. The license manager that allows the license server to meter out licenses of the SolidWorks software.

License client. A computer that has access to the license server. A license client has the SolidWorks software installed, but does not have a license to run the program.  It must obtain a license from the license server each time it starts the SolidWorks software. This process is invisible to the user unless all licenses are in use and permission is denied. The license client does not need write access to the license server. Additionally, license clients are not required to have user accounts on the license server.

License server. A computer that hosts the SNL File and SNL Manager.

Released. When a user exits the SolidWorks software or a SolidWorks add-in product, the license is released back into the pool of available licenses. The total pool of licenses increases by one.

SolidNetWork License File (SNL File). A text file that lists the number of SolidWorks licenses and SolidWorks add-in licenses that your company owns. This file is read by the SNL Manager to distribute the licenses.

SolidNetWork License Manager (SNL Manager). A program that is installed separately from the SolidWorks software. It distributes licenses of the SolidWorks software and SolidWorks add-ins, when they are requested.  It also tracks how many seats are currently in use and how many are currently available.  To use the SNL Manager, you must have a valid SNL File, which is read in to the SNL Manager. The SNL Manager does not require a high-performance computer on which to run.

Triad server. A set of three license servers. Two or more of the servers must be running for licenses to be distributed.