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 Currently in: Support>License Support>License Types>Network

 
Licensing Types - Network License

 

How it works

Windows Version of FlexLM only (FlexLM for UNIX is not supported)

  • CAD Design Software uses the well-established FlexLM license manager from Macrovision. Network Licensing allows a license to “float” among various workstations on a network. It is sometimes referred to as a floating license. The software is designed to release a feature license as soon as the command which requires the feature is finished. For example if you finish using a command, your co-worker can use it immediately, as long as you do not use another command which requires the same feature license.

  • Setting up a Network License involves configuring a License Server and one, or more, Application Clients. The License Server is the computer that runs the Network Licensing software. It can be any Windows 9X/NT/2000/XP machine in a network. It can be, but need not be, the network file server. The Application Client is the computer running the CAD Design Software application. The License Server can also be an Application Client. The Application Client must be able to communicate with the License Server via the TCP-IP protocol. The advantage is CAD Design Software may be installed on multiple workstations on the local intranet.  However, only the number of licenses purchased may use the software at the same time.

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Installing

 
Read the FULL installation guide

Procedure Overview in Brief

  1. Download FlexLM tools that includes the CDS Vendor Daemon and extract on selected server to be the FlexLM host.
  2. Use lmtools.exe on the System Settings tab to gather information about license sever (Computer/Hostname and Ethernet Address also know as MAC) and send the information to CAD Design Software's license department at the following e-mail address: authcodes@cad-design.com
  3. Receive a license via e-mail from CAD Design Software and follow the instructions in the e-mail.
  4. Create, Configure, Start and confirm FlexLM services for CDS is running.
  5. Set Environment Variable on client workstations (Variable Name: CDS_License_File | Variable Value: port@host) See How to Set the Client Variable  
  6. Install CAD Design Software for client workstations.
  7. Run CAD Design Software and verify no license error dialog box appears.

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Download the CDS FlexLM tools and Daemon 

Flex LM License Manager Utilities - Tools required for using network version, including the CDS Daemon. This may also be used as an upgrade from previous versions of FlexLM that you have obtained from CDS. If you have FlexLM from another vendor, you can still use a newer version of FlexLM software because it is forward compatible.  Or just use the CDS.EXE vendor daemon included in the zip file. For more information about FlexLM, visit Macrovision.com

For EPD Versions 7.2 - 7.5, use this version of FlexLM v9.5

Download FlexLM 9.5 Zip File (Includes the CDS.EXE Daemon)

 

For EPD Version 7.6 ONLY use the FlexLM v11

Download FlexLM 11 Zip File (Includes the CDS.EXE Daemon)

 

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Installing a Network Variable for clients
  • If the license server is also a workstation that will be using CAD Design Software, the same Environment Variable must be set on it as well.

  • Verify that the license server Vendor daemon status is UP running 

Windows 2000 / XP:

  1. Navigate to Windows Start>Settings>Control Panel and double pick the System icon.
  2. Pick the Advanced Tab, then pick the Environment Variables button.
  3. In the System variables area:


  4. Pick the New button and the New System Variable dialog box appears:



  5. In the Variable Name edit box, type CDS_LICENSE_FILE
  6. In the Variable Value edit box, type the port@hostid information. Note, CDS uses the default port of 27000.
  7. Pick OK.
  8. The variable is now set. 
  9. Pick OK on the remaining dialog boxes.

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Troubleshooting network license

Instructions for re-installing a networked license.

  1. Rename attached PWD license to CDS.PWD, place in the \CDSFlexLM directory and overwrite. 
  2. Run the lmtools.exe.
  3. Pick the Configure using Services radio button.
  4. Select the Service to edit (CAD Design Software).
  5. Located along the top of the LMTOOLS dialog box, pick the Start/Stop/Reread tab
  6. Pick the Stop Server button.
  7. Pick the ReRead License File. (May say Reread Server Failed)
  8. Pick the Start Server button.
  9. Pick the Server Status tab
  10. Pick the Perform Status Enquiry button
  11. Scroll down to the line Vendor daemon status (on server)
  12. Verify it says:

    CDS:  UP vX.X

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Upgrading to Windows XP SP2 Causes License Problems

Symptoms:
FLEXlm Error -96. Server node is down or not responding. You cannot get a license after your license server has been upgraded to Windows XP SP2 (service pack 2). Please note that your local machine is considered your license server if you have a nodelocked license. For a floating license, this problem occurs when you are on a client machine, trying to access a floating license.

Cause:
This problem is caused by the Windows XP firewall software on the license server. Prior to SP2, the firewall was turned off by default.
But after installing SP2, the firewall is turned on by default. The initial settings of the firewall are set to block the communication between your local client machine and the FLEXlm license server. This means you will not be able to get a license without configuring the firewall.


Solution:
To solve this problem, follow these instructions on your license server:

Select Start->Settings->Control Panel.
In the Control Panel window, select Security Center and then Windows Firewall.
From Windows Firewall, select the Exceptions tab.
Under Exceptions, press the Add Program button and then browse to lmgrd.exe in the \CDSFlexLM directory.
Then, press Add Program again and browse to cds.exe in the \CDSFlexLM directory.

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The Desired vendor daemon is down

First make sure that the CDS.EXE vendor daemon is running.

  1. Open lmtools.exe
  2. Pick the service to view (CAD DESIGN SOFTWARE)
  3. Pick the Server Status tab
  4. Pick the Perform Status Enquiry button
  5. Scroll down to the line Vendor daemon status (on server)

    If running: CDS: UP vX.X


  6. If the vendor is down, it will read cannot connect to license server.
  7. Make sure no other FlexLM services are using PORT 27000
    CAD Design Software issues network license files with the default port of 27000. 
    1. To check other services, return to the Service/License File tab
    2. Pick a service 
    3. Pick the Server Status tab
    4. Pick the Perform Status Enquiry button.
    5. On the line License server status: port@server showing the current port assigned.
    6. If it shows 27000@server, this would be the conflict.
  8. You may change the port number in your CDS.PWD license file to a new port. 
  9. Open the CDS.PWD using notepad (see above).
  10. On the server line   SERVER server name mac address 27000
  11. Change the port 27000 to another port that is free (ex 27010) and save/close the license file.
  12. Open lmtools.exe
  13. Select the CAD DESIGN SOFTWARE service
  14. Pick the Start/Stop/Reread tab
  15. Pick the Stop Server button
  16. Pick the Reread button
  17. Pick the Start Server button
  18. Pick the Perform Status Enquiry button
  19. On the line License server status: 27010@server showing the new port assigned.
  20. Scroll down to the line Vendor daemon status (on server)
  21. Should now say

    CDS: UP vX.X

  22. Update the Environment variable on each client's computer to the new port number.

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Network CDS.PWD license information
  • The CDS.PWD license file can be found in the \CDSFlexLM directory on the Host computer or use Windows>Search.
  • You may view the CDS.PWD file with any ASCII text editor (Recommend Notepad).
  • You may change the PORT in the license file and save the license.
  • You may change the path to the DAEMON but you must use our cds.exe vendor daemon that comes with the Flex LM 9.5 zip package available from the link above Flex LM License Manager Utilities v9.5

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