SNL
When updating SOLIDWORKS that has been installed using a floating, network license the latest version, many users will forget the very last step, re-activating the SolidNetWork License Manager Server. This needs to be done so that the SolidNetWork License Manager Server can communicate with the SolidWorks Activation Center and be allowed to provide the new, updated licenses to the SolidWorks users who are connected using the network licensing system. If the step is missed, for instance when updating to SOLIDWORKS 2019, any client computers still using the older version of SOLIDWORKS would still be able to get their licenses and open the program, but as soon as a user tried to open SOLIDWORKS 2019 they would receive the message “Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS”. That’s because the SNL License manager just wouldn’t have a license of SOLIDWORKS 2019 to give out yet, it needs to be reactivated first….
The SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License (SNL) Manager can distribute licenses to client installations that are directly connected to it through a network, but it can also allow client installations to borrow a license for a period of time and disconnect from the network. However, administrators may wish to limit the number of licenses that users can borrow from the network so that they can ensure there will be enough floating licenses for the users still in the office. This can be controlled using an Options File. More information about the process for creating the Options file itself and setting the SNL Manager to use it can be found in my colleague Scott’s informative article. The option BORROW_LOWWATER can be used to prevent all users from being able to borrowing a license of a specified product from the SolidWorks network licnese. This can be entered as: BORROW_LOWWATER feature n The value feature…
When it comes time to migrate to new servers, moving the SolidNetwork License Manager Server for your SOLIDWORKS software can be a daunting to 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, add TCP/IP ports 25734 and 25735 to the firewall exception list for inbound and outbound connections. 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. *** DO NOT ACTIVATE THE NEW LICENSE MANAGER YET *** -ON THE USER WORKSTATIONS- STEP 3: Open the…
Just purchased NEW SOLIDWORKS licenses? Don’t forget to Reactivate your License Manager
If you have purchased additional SOLIDWORKS licenses to float on your existing network and received a notice from our office indicating they’ve been processed, then you have ONE CRUCIAL STEP left to perform before your users will be able to utilize these new licenses – REACTIVATE YOUR LICENSE MANAGER. While this only takes a couple of minutes to do, it is readily forgotten about. Step 1: Load up the SolidNetWork Licence Manager on the Server machine that is hosting your licences Step 2: From the ‘Server Administration’ tab, select ‘Modify’ Step 3: Choose the option to ‘Activate/Reactivate your product license’ Step 4: Select ‘Next’ to maintain the same firewall settings as you had before. For more information on this setting click here Step 5: Click ‘Select All’ to highlight all of your SOLIDWORKS network serial numbers, if the serial number for the product you wish to add is not listed then…
If you are using a network license for any SOLIDWORKS product (e.g. SOLIDWORKS CAD, SOLIDWORKS Visualize, SOLIDWORKS Composer etc.), once you close the program [or sign out of SOLIDWORKS PDM], then the license that was in use on your system should immediately be returned to the SNL Server so that another user can access that license. SOLIDWORKS Network License not returned to the Server likely indicates there is interference with the vendor daemon communication. By default the SNL manager uses a dynamic vendor daemon port, so some security software or firewall may be causing the communication back to the license manager to fail. To address this, you will need to change the vendor daemon to a static port number and add exceptions for that port number. Making the following adjustments will ensure that licenses are being returned immediately and maximize the availability of your SOLIDWORKS Network product licenses. How to resolve the…
Re-activating the SolidNetwork License Manager after purchasing additional licenses
If you have an existing SOLIDWORKS Network License and you purchase additional network licenses of SOLIDWORKS, or other network licenses of SOLIDWORKS products, such as Simulation, PDM, Inspection, Visualize, MBD, Composer … etc, then those licenses will simply be added to your existing SOLIDWORKS serial number (unless you have specifically requested that they not be). Once SOLIDWORKS has processed the order and you have heard back that new licenses are ready to use, you will need to re-activate SolidNetWork License Manager so that users can make use of the new licenses. Reactivating the SolidNetWork License Manager STEP 1: On the license server, launch the SolidNetWork License Manager Server and click Modify. STEP 2: Select the option to “Activate/Reactivate your product license(s)” and click “Next>”. STEP 3: Don’t make any changes on the “Server Information” screen. STEP 4: On the “Activate Your SOLIDWORKS Product” screen, either click “Select All” so that…
Now that SOLIDWORKS PDM (both Professional and Standard) is using the SolidNetwork License Manager for distributing licenses to clients, reserving SOLIDWORKS PDM licenses for specific users or groups of users is now possible. This is done through the SolidNetWork License (SNL) Manager Options File. In other posts we’ve discussed how the Options File can be used to change the default timeout for PDM licenses, the default timeout for SOLIDWORKS licenses, how to block borrowing of SOLIDWORKS licenses and how to reserve just SOLIDWORKS licenses, now let’s look at reserving SOLIDWORKS PDM licenses for either PDM Professional or PDM Standard users. How to create a Custom Options File Step 1: Launch the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager program and click “Modify…” on the Server Administration tab. Step 2: Select the option to “Activate/Reactivate a software license” and then click “Next >”. Step 3: On the next screen check the box beside “Options File” and…
When installing, or modifying the installation of the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager, you may encounter the following error: Failed to get the string for the Localized Property : STR_SWINST_ACTIVE_SW. This error can occur, if SOLIDWORKS is open on the same system where the installation is taking place. Close SOLIDWORKS and then retry the installation. This should allow you to continue with the install error free.