Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on SolidNetWork License Activation

Question: What is SolidNetWork License (SNL) activation?
Answer: SNL Activation is a natural extension of Standalone License Activation. It is a secure and hassle free process that authenticates network licensed users during the installation process. The process verifies that the serial number is legitimate and has not been activated on more systems than allowed by the SolidWorks End-User License Agreement (EULA). It does not affect the ability of licensed users to use their software the way they have always done.

Please also refer to the Licensing and Activation page for general activation or SNL questions.

Question: What is the process of SNL Activation on the license server?

Answer: Below are the detailed instructions.

1. Via the Installation Manager, download and install the SNL Administrator. During the installation of the SNL Administrator, the user will be prompted to enter a SolidWorks SNL Serial Number.  This number may already be populated assuming the Installation Manager was used on that same machine to obtain the installation files.  If the serial number field is not populated, then type in the 24-character SNL Serial Number before clicking “Next” to continue through the rest of the install.

2. After the installation is finished launch the SolidNetwork License Administrator that was installed at Step 1.

3. Reply “Yes” to the question “Would you like to activate now?”

4. Proceed through the following screens to complete the activation process.

Question: What are the differences between licensing with a dongle and SNL Activation?

Answer: Licensing with a dongle needs both a physical dongle and an explicit digital license file to activate a SolidWorks Network License product while SNL Activation does not need the dongle or the explicit license file, which will greatly reduce the delivery time and potential technical issues.

Question: Will SolidWorks Simulation (COSMOS) products be subject to SNL Activation?

Answer: Yes.

Question: When will SNL Activation be implemented for the existing legacy customers?

Answer: SNL Activation will be implemented for all the customers in SolidWorks 2010 SP0.

Question: When will SNL Activation be implemented for Education Edition customers?
Answer: SNL Activation will be implemented for Education Edition customers in SolidWorks Education Edition 2010-2011 academic year.

Question: Can a customer manually activate SNL licenses using email?

Answer: Yes. Please follow the email activation wizard from the SNL administrator to proceed, but it may take more time than Internet Activation.

Question: What are the Operating Systems supported in the SNL Activation? 
Answer: Please refer to the system requirements.

Question: How do I transfer my license to another computer?
Answer: You can launch the SNL Administrator and press Modify button. Here you will have Transfer option if you have activated the server.

Question: Do I need to activate my license server immediately?
Answer: Yes. SNL Activation requires immediate activation for the license server to distribute licenses.  

Question: How can I increase or decrease my seat numbers on my existing license?

Answer: You can increase the number of licenses by purchasing additional seats through your local reseller.  If you want to decrease the number of licenses, you need to request a license decrement from your reseller. In either case, please reactivate your license server and the change will be in place.

Question: What if my server crashes before I transfer my license to a new server?

Answer: You will need to contact you reseller and they will create a Service Request with the SolidWorks Technical Support team. They will either issue a temporary license file, or reset the activation on the server, allowing you to reactivate on a different machine.

Question: How many Activations are allowed per network license server?

Answer: One.

Question: We have Home Use Licenses (HUL) with our SNL. How will SNL Activation affect HUL licenses?

Answer: SNL Activation will not affect HUL licenses.

Question: Will I still be able to use the “borrow” functionality with Activation?

Answer: Yes.

Question: How does SNL Activation benefit Customers?

Answer: SNL Activation will help dramatically decrease one of the biggest customer pain points: configuration of SNL installations. More than just removing the dongle and license file from the setup process, SNL Activation also takes care of setting up the SNL server with all of the companies SolidWorks assets. SNL Activation will also allow near-real-time fulfillment of SNL seats when an order to add or remove seats is placed.

Question: When can users activate after the placement of an order?

Answer: Generally within one business day. You can also contact your reseller and have them check on the status.

Question: What happens if the activation server is unavailable when I try to activate?

Answer: The activation server is very reliable with downtimes measured in only a few hours per year. In the rare case of an activation server failure, you cannot activate or run your software. Please contact Resellers Technical Support team for a temporary license file.

Question: How long does it take to activate an SNL product?

Answer: About one minute for Internet Activation or ten minutes for E-mail Activation.