Installation Guide – SNL Installation
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 are the same as 2016, it is no longer supported under Windows 8.0. Below are the system requirements for 2015-2017:
If you are installing on a virtual server, not all are supported. Below is a list of current supported virtual server 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 two 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 2017/SOLIDWORKS Tools/SolidNetWork License Manager 2017
- 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 with 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:
Blake Cokinis
Sr. Support Product Specialist
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.
Blake,
Thanks for these instructions. We’ve seen the behavior of SOLIDWORKS 2017 change when it comes to traveling and accessing the license server. Has SOLIDWORKS changed how they check regions for 2017? Do they now look at the location of your device, the regional settings of windows, or the clock when issuing licenses? Will we not be able to check out licenses when we travel to other countries?
-Jeremy