With any network seat, the first step to complete is installing the SolidNetwork License Manager. This should be installed on a computer (server) that all clients can reach over the network. It is recommended that this computer have a static IP address so you will not have any connectivity issues if your IP happens to change.
The system requirements have changed slightly with 2016, it is no longer supported under Windows 8.0. Below is the system requirements for 2014-2016
If you are installing on a virtual server, not all are supported. Below is a list of current supported virtual servers that will support the license manager.
The install can be installed new or you can update your previous version install. This can be run from the SOLIDWORKS DVD or download by selecting "Server Products"
If you are upgrading you current License Manager, there are 2 things you want to do before upgrading:
- Verify that all borrowed licenses are returned.
- Transfer the license (Modify/transfer license)
The installation instructions are pretty straight forward (installation path, etc.)
Once the installation is complete, the first step is to activate it.
- Launch the license manager (Start/Programs/SOLIDWORKS 2016/SOLIDWORKS Tools/SolidNetWork License Manager 2016
- When prompted to activate, select "Yes" (if you do not have internet access on the server, I will cover the process to use a license file later)
The next screen will give you some options:
- Is there a firewall in use on this computer? – If so, select the checkbox for this option. – Additional steps will be required. This will be covered later.
- Will you be using an options file to manage usage/permissions? – Please see the FlexNet administration guide for using this option.
The next screen will give you the options to activate the products.
Make sure you "Select All" to highlight your serial number(s). Also, an Email Address is required.
At this point, you get a successful activation screen showing your products.
You are now done…..unless…if you have a firewall and you selected the option in the SNL manager, you will still need to add the exceptions in the firewall options.
Firewall configuration:
Depending if you use the Windows firewall or a 3rd party, the configuration is the same.
You will have to add 2 exemptions.
Create incoming TCP port for ports 25734 and 25735.
Once these are open, you should have no issues with the clients connecting.
The last issue you may run into is if you server does not have internet access. If this is that case, you must request a license file for usage.
This is done by selecting the "Manually via e-mail option" during the activation process.
Once completed, you will receive an email with a license file. Once received, save it to the "licenses" directory under the installation location whereyou installed the SNL (default – C:\program files (x86)\Solidworks Corp\SolidnetNetWork license manager\Licenses) then configure the SNL manager to use a license file.
To use a license file, select the "Options" button under the Advanced Options area.
Then select "Use a License File"
Your SNL manager is now installed and ready for use!
The license manager can be installed on a computer that also has SOLIDWORKS installed. This can cause some confusion since there is also a client version of the license manager. In the past, it would depend on the order you installed the products. If you installed SOLIDWORKS after the license manager, the shortcut for the license manager in your programs list will launch the client version. The difference in the 2 is that client version does not have an "Administration" tab
Client:
Server:
The only way to launch the server version was to run the executable "swlmwiz.exe" from the installation location (C:\Program Files (x86)\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SolidNetWork License Manager\utils)
2016 has addressed this. You will now see a separate listing in your program list: "SolidNetwork License Manager (Client)" – This way there will no confusion on what version you are seeing.
We hope this series has given you an insight on how to successfully install SOLIDWORKS 2016. Please check back to the CATI Blog as the Dedicated Support Team will continue posting new series of articles every month that go further into the details of many of the SOLIDWORKS tools. All of these articles will be stored in the category of Daily Dose…..of SOLIDWORKS Support and links to each article are listed below:
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part1 – Individual Installation (Neil Bucalo)
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part2 – SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Installation (Blake Cokinis)
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part3 – SOLIDWORKS Electrical Installation (John Van Engen)
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part4 – SOLIDWORKS Composer, SOLIDWORKS Simulation - Motion, Flow, SOLIDWORKS Plastics, SOLIDWORKS MBD, and SOLIDWORKS Inspection (Bryan Pawlak)
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part5 – eDrawings and DraftSight (George Branes)
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part6 – 3DQuickPress (Ronnie Flaugh)
- SOLIDWORKS 2016 Installation Guide Part7 – EPDM Administration (Jim Krivoshein)
Blake Cokinis
Sr. Support Product Specialist
