How is a SOLIDWORKS Network License (SNL) Manager upgraded?

As companies are making the switch to SOLIDWORKS 2009, we receive many calls on how to upgrade a SOLIDWORKS Network License.  To make this easier for you, here are the steps to upgrading a SOLIDWORKS Network License:

STEP 1:  Obtain a SolidNetWork License File

The SolidNetWork License (SNL) file is a text file containing license information that clients access to check licenses in and out. 

To obtain an SNL file with an existing Customer Center account, follow these steps:

1.      Go to https://customercenter.solidworks.com

2.      Type email address and password and click ‘Sign-In’

3.      Select the ‘My Products’ link. 

4.      Select the serial number for the correct version and pick ‘Get License’.

5.      A license file will be emailed to you.

6.      With the receipt of the email, copy the SNL file (text file) to the hard drive in a location where it can easily be browsed to.

To obtain an SNL file without an existing Customer Center account, follow these steps:

1.      Go to https://customercenter.solidworks.com

2.      Select the link to create a new account

3.      Select the ‘Register My Products’ link. 

4.      Enter the serial number and other requested information and a license file will then be emailed

5.      With the receipt of the email, copy the SNL file (text file) to the hard drive in a location where it can easily be browsed to.

STEP 2:  Remove the old SolidNetWork License Server/Manager
Note: A SolidNetWork License (SNL) Manager for a newer release can distribute licenses for clients remaining at the previous release as well.

To upgrade the SNL Manager on a license server:

1. In Windows, click Start, All Programs, SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager, SolidNetWork License Administrator

2. On the Server Administration tab, under License Server, click Stop, then click OK

3. Unplug the USB Dongle from the server

4. Open the Control Panel and open Add or Remove Programs

5. Select SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager, click Remove, and confirm the deletion

6. In Windows Explorer, delete the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager folder.  This location is typically C:Program FilesSolidWorksSolidNetWork License Manager.

7. Install the new SNL Manager as described in STEP 3 below

STEP 3: Install the new SolidNetWork License Server/Manager
The license server supports multiple license clients. It distributes licenses to clients on the network.  Note: This needs to be done while physically on the server.  A remote connection will not install the product correctly.

To install a new SNL Manager on a license server:

1. Insert SOLIDWORKS DVD 1 into the license server drive

2. The Installation Manager will launch listing your SOLIDWORKS Serial Number.  If no serial number is listed, enter your Network Serial number beneath ‘Serial number for SOLIDWORKS Standard, Professional, Premium, or SolidNetWork License’

3. Click Next

4. For Installation Type select ‘Administrative Image and Server Products’
   1. Put a check next to ‘Install SolidNetWork License Server (distributed licensing) on this computer.’

5. Click Next

6. Follow the on-screen directions and on the last page select Install

7. Once the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box comes up, plug the USB Dongle back into the server

8. In the SolidNetWork License File Wizard dialog box, under Server Type, select Single and click Next

9. In the Server Information box, if the company uses a firewall, select ‘a firewall is in use on this server’
   1. Use the port number and vendor daemon port number default values, or type the port numbers that are being used and click Next.
      Note:  The port number is a TCP/IP port number in the 1024 – 60000 range, used exclusively by this process. The default, 25734, is normally suitable and is unlikely to be the same as any other FLEXlm server process currently on the license server.

10. Click Read to enter the license information. Browse to and open the SNL file obtained in STEP 1 above.  The licenses appear in the wizard.

11. Click Finish twice.

For additional information on installation procedures for SOLIDWORKS products, refer to the “Admin Guides” link here…

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/Administration_guides/ServicePacks.html

The ‘SOLIDWORKS Installation and Administration Guide’ describes various licensing and installation methods available for SolidWorks.

Leslie Lougheed