Moving The SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License (SNL) Manager

When it comes time to migrate to new servers, moving the SolidNetwork License Manager Server for your SOLIDWORKS software can be a daunting idea.  Dozens or even hundreds of users will be affected by the move.

However, following these steps will help to ensure that there will be the least amount of disruption to the users, and the move can be done in as few steps as possible:

-ON THE NEW SERVER-

STEP 1:  If a firewall is in place on the server, ensure that BOTH of the ports that the SolidNetwork License Manager will use for communication are added to the firewall Inbound and Outbound exception rules.  By default TCP ports 25734 and 25735 are used for communication between the SNL server and the clients, however these can be modified if you wish.  If you encounter any issues with the with the Clients not being able to connect to the new server after Step 3 below, review our SolidNetwork License Manager Troubleshooting Guide for additional assistance.

Windows Firewall

STEP 2:  Using the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager, available either from the installation DVD or through the Downloads and Updates section of the SolidWorks Customer Portal, click the “Server products” radio button and check to install the SolidNetWork License Manager software.

Input the SOLIDWORKS serial numbers when installing the SolidNetwork License Manager (this will not affect the existing server or cause any disruption to the users). HOWEVER, do not try to activate the new license manager yet.

 -ON THE USER WORKSTATIONS-

STEP 3:  Open the SolidNetWork License Manager Client 20XX program and go to the “Server List” tab. Click “Add…” and enter the new server name and port number using the format: 25734@hostname.

The new server is not reachable yet because we haven’t activated the license and service is not running.  Click “Yes” on the message indicating that the license server is not reachable, this will add the new server to the list.

Both the old and the new license server computers should now show in the list.  Repeat this procedure on all workstations.

OPTIONAL:  If there are many workstations that need to be updated, the following two registries can be exported from the system updated in Step 3 and then imported on all other systems:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINIE\Software\FLEXlm License Manager

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\FlexLM License Manager

Once the workstations have ALL been updated so that they are showing both the old server and the new server on the Server List tab, then you are ready to perform the transfer.  The next two steps should take no longer than 5-10 minutes to complete.  During this time if there are users currently working in SOLIDWORKS, they will continue to be able to work without any interruption for approximately 1 hour, at which time the would receive a warning that the license manager is down, after which they would have a 20 minute grace period during which they can save their work.

This should provide plenty of time for the new server to be activated, however as unforeseen circumstances can develop it is wise to (1) perform the process at a time of relative inactivity and (2) have the number of your Value Added Reseller’s technical support desk hand in case you need their assistance with the transfer.

After Step 4 is performed, any users who launch SOLIDWORKS will receive a message that no license is available until Step 7 is completed.

-ON THE OLD SERVER-

STEP 4:  On the server that will no longer be used for SOLIDWORKS licensing, open the SolidNetWork License Manager Server 20XX program, and on the “Server Administration” tab, click “Modify…”.  In the “SolidWorks Product Activation” window that opens, select “Move your product license(s) to a new/upgraded computer” 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-

STEP 5:  On the new server, launch the SolidNetWork License Manager Server 20XX program and on the “Server Administration” tab, click “Modify…”  Within the “SOLIDWORKS Product Activation” window, select “Activate/Reactivate your product license(s)”.

STEP 6:  On the “SolidNetWork License Server Information” screen, make sure that the option “A firewall is in use on this server” is checked if there is a firewall in place. If not, just click “Next >“.

STEP 7:  On the “Activate/Deactivate Your SOLIDWORKS Product” screen, make sure to click “Select All” so that all licenses will be updated.  Select “Automatically over the Internet” if the server has an internet connection.  If not, select the “Manually via e-mail” option and follow these steps to activate manually. Then once all license highlighted, click “Next >“.

Once the activation has completed, click “Finish” to complete the process and close the SOLIDWORKS Product Activation window.

 -ON THE USER WORKSTATIONS-

STEP 8:  Open the SolidNetWork License Manager Client 20XX program and go to the “Server List” tab. Select the old server and click “Remove…”, then “Yes” when prompted.  Repeat this process on each workstation.

OPTIONAL:  Again, if there are many workstations that need to be updated, the following registry keys can be exported from the system updated in Step 6, then those keys can be imported on all other systems so that only the new server will be in the list:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINIE\Software\FLEXlm License Manager

and

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\FlexLM License Manager