The Javelin Technologies Blog

 
As older computers become outdated and need to be replaced, or upgraded, a fairly common question we get from IT departments is how to move the SolidWorks network license to a new server with the least amount of disruption to users possible.

The steps below detail how to move an activation based, meaning SolidWorks 2010 or newer, SolidNetWork License service to a new computer.
 
 
 

-On the new server-

1.  Using the SolidWorks installation files, available either from the installation DVD or through the Downloads and Updates section of the SolidWorks Customer Portal, install the SolidNetWork License Manager.

 2.  If a firewall is active on the server, ensure that TCP/IP ports 25734 and 25735 to the firewall exception list.

Do not activate the new License Manager yet.

-On the user workstations-

3.  Go to Start > All Programs > SolidWorks <year> > SolidWorks Tools > SolidNetWork License Manager.  On the “Server List” tab click “Add…” and enter the new server name and port number using the format: 25734@newserver.  Click “Yes” on the message indicating that the license server is not reachable, this will add the new server to the list.  Repeat this procedure on all workstations.

-On the old server-

4.  On the server that will no longer be used for SolidWorks licensing, launch the SolidNetWork License Manager program as described in step 3, and on the “Server Administration” tab, click “Modify…”.  In the “SolidWorks Product Activation” window that opens, select “Transfer a software license” and click “Next >”.  Once the process is complete the old server is disabled and you can now activate the new server.

-On the new server-

5.  On the new server (it’s best to do this physically at the server if you can; this article explains why “How to avoid downtime when upgrading!“ ), launch the SolidNetWork License Manager program and on the “Server Administration” tab, click “Modify…”  Within the “SolidWorks Product Activation” window, select “Activate/Reactivate a software license”.  Once the process is complete, the workstations should see the new server and draw their licenses from it.

-On the user workstations-

6.  Finally, remove the old server from the “Server List” in the SolidNetWork License Manager on each user workstation.