IMAGINiT Technologies Support Blog

Licensing error: A valid license could not be obtained by the network license manager

I have outlined steps you or your IT department need to take before contacting your Support for help regarding Autodesk license/server errors. 

Here are a couple errors that customers get when attempting to open a newly install network version of their Autodesk software on their machine. Typically the error is titled "Licensing Error" or a dialog box pops up and you are asked to verify the path of the server or license file.

Errors that you might see on the Server while setting up the LMTools Utility:

From the Stop/Start/Reread tab;

• Server failed to start
• Cannot read license file

From the Server Status tab;

• Vender dameon down
• Adskflex down
• Flexnet Licensing error:

Here are three things you should verify before containing your Autodesk support group.

1. Verify the correct LMTools is installed.
2. Try resetting LMTools.
3. On the user machine; delete the licpath.lic, cascadeinfo.cas, and add an environment variable.

If you do the three things and you are still getting the error message take a print screen of the error message on the user machine and a copy of your servers debug.log typically found in the C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Autodesk Network License Manage.

Verify the correct LMTools is installed

Open up your LMTools on the server then click on the Help drop down menu and click on About.  This will tell you which version you have installed. Click on this link to see the current version written by one of our Technical Specialist Jeff Lotan: http://blogs.rand.com/support/2013/05/i-just-received-2011-do-i-need-to-upgrade-the-license-manager-for-network-licensing.html

Try resetting LMTools:

1. Open LMTools on the server and click on the Start/Stop/Reread tab.
2. Click the check box to Force Server shutdown and click the button to Stop Server.
3. Go to the Config Services tab.
4. You need to make sure the paths for all three items are correct by clicking the browse button.
5. Make sure that the two check boxes at the bottom of the Config Services tab are checked.
6. Click Save Service.
7. Go back to the Start/Stop/Reread tab and click the Start Server button then click the ReRead License File button.
8. To verify that the license file was properly read you will want to go to the Server Status tab and perform an Enquiry. You will be looking for in the first few lines; Vendor Deamon on\up, adskflex on\up.

If you get any errors that show a code please copy all of the text and paste it in a new note pad file to send back to the tech.

If everything looks good on the server then on the user machine do the following:

On the client\user machine

You may need to re-path\re-point the Autodesk software to the new server. You will need to do the following to each machine:

1. Delete the Cascadeinfo.cas file by navigating to the following folder, one the software connects to the license file this file will be re-created:

• Windows XP > C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\Adlm Windows
• Vista > C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Adlm

1. Delete the Licpath.lic located in the C\Program files\Autodesk\software name (you may need to  run a search on your C drive for the file licpath.lic in order to find it.) This file will be re-created once the machine connects to the server and finds the license information.
2. Set an environment variable to specify one or more license servers for your Autodesk products:

• On the Start menu (Windows), click Settings > Control Panel.
• Double-click System.
• In the System Properties dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
• Click Environment Variables.
• Under System Variables, click New.
• In the Variable Name box, enter ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE
• In the Variable Value box, enter the license server(s) in the following format: @server1;@server2;@server3 (where server is the hostname or IP address of your license server)
• Click OK to close out of all of dialog box.

AutoCAD 2012 is unable to obtain the Building Design Suite 2012, 2013 or 2014 network license.

When you run AutoCAD 2012 you receive a network licensing error, but when you run Revit Architecture 2012 you do not.  Also, all the newer programs obtain licenses just fine, AutoCAD 2012 seems to be the only program affected.

AutoCAD 2012 is unable to obtain the Building Design Suite (BDS) license, because AutoCAD was not installed from the Building Design Suite 2012 media.

Looking  at the cascading sequence they are different depending on which media you install. This was a oversight on Autodesk's part and was later cleared up in a technical solution.  If AutoCAD was installed from the BDS media it works fine, otherwise you receive a licensing error (probably [0.0.0]). 

1. We have 3 legal workarounds (we wouldn't want any other kind!):
   1) Uninstall AutoCAD from all the machines, reboot, install AutoCAD from the Building Design Suite 2012 media. You should be able to download it from the Subscription website.
   
   2) Ask your sales rep to see if they can get you an exception to run the old Revit Architecture Suite 2012 license. They typically generate an exception for 13 months, so you'd need to get everyone up and running on the newer AutoCAD before the license expires.
   
   3) Run the newer version of AutoCAD. Unlike Revit, it does allow you to save back
   to the older release.

 

See the Autodesk Technical Solution:

• http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS16981643

If you don't believe this is the cause, give us a call and we can prove it out one way or another.

UNSUPPORTED - error in the debug log file after updating your network license file.

When you upgrade the license manager or implement a new license file you just may see something like the following error:

10:48:44 (adskflex) UNSUPPORTED: "59200AMECH_PP_2009_0F" (024E CF45 AB41 CD1A ) loginname@machinename-MOBILE  (License server system does not support this feature. (-18,327:10054 ""))

This typically means that they were working in the program when you changed the license (or sometimes just the license manager) and now it's not happy.

The error will continue to log in the debug log until the user exits the program, waits a few seconds then gets back in.

 

Communication Failure Error when trying to install after downloading the Autodesk package

This one catches quite a few people.  When you login to the subscription site, go to the downloads and select the option to "Install now", you may receive the following error.

Communication Failure

Download and installation has been interrupted by a lost connection between the Autodesk website and this computer.  The most likely causes are:

-  The installation package was moved from the installation location, which is not support.

-  The Autodesk download website was closed or manually refreshed before the installer launched.

-  A firewall has blocked the network ports.

Please address these issues if possible, return to the website, and then click again on Install Now, or use another download method:  Download Now or Browser Download.

 

When you use this option it downloads that huge .exe file and extracts the files to c:\autodesk\another_folder_name, then it runs setup for you. If this process is stopped or interrupted you will get that message or if you try to manually run the setup later.

This method does *not* allow you to use the setup later, only during this session.

I believe the best download method is to use the "Download Now". 

• It uses the Download Manager which is far more reliable and can be paused.
• Once you extract the files you can run the setup as many times as you'd like.
• Typically it's faster too!
• You need the original installation location to install service packs (or insert the DVD)

Once you download that huge file you can extract the install files to any location.  

Note: the default is C:\Autodesk\Filename, where Filename is the same name as the large .exe fie you downloaded.

So to get past the Communication Failure error I'd recommend downloading it again using the "Download Now" option, download it and double click that .exe to extract all the files and it will run setup for you..  

Note:  you do have to download and install the Download manager before the installation begins.

 

Map 3D 2014 is out take look at the System Requirements

Map 3D 2014 is out make sure your system can run the software!

Map 3D 2014's system requirements are posted and the software is available: 

http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS15421202

 

Operating systems recommended:

• Windows® 8 Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise edition (SP1)

• Windows® 7 Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise edition (SP1)

• Windows XP® Professional (SP2 or later)

 

It is always good practice when installing the software that you go with what is recommended and not the minimum for the best software performance.

Do I need to upgrade the Network license manager?

The answer is yes, always upgrade the license manager when implementing new Autodesk Networked products or new license files with old products.  From time to time Autodesk enables new features in the newer license files, which needs the latest license manager to function properly.  These new features can be incompatible with the older license managers. Newer license managers are backwards compatible, meaning the latest license manager will work with older license files, but not the other way around. It may seem to work, but it will break sooner or later.

The FlexLM version is 11.11 for the 2014 programs

• Pre-upgrade steps:
  Ensure you have the media (downloaded media counts) and you can access it from the license manager machine or see the Autodesk downloads:

If you do not have IPV6 installed (or if it's okay to turn it off), then use the IPV4 version after turning off IPV6.
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL16273699

If you MUST run IPV6 on both the license manager and the clients, then use this one:
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL10976858

Note:  The IPV6 version may have undesirable limitations.  Check the readme and notes at the download page.

• Obtain a new license file from Autodesk.
  • Call the Autodesk Registration and Activation department at 800-551-1490
  • Login to www.autodesk.com/register and login (you can create  login or use your subscription login)  and retrieve it.
  • Send an email to Autodesk at  authcodes@autodesk.com.  You need to include in teh body of the email the following information.  Company name, serial numbers, server name and server MAC/Ethernet address.
• if necessary, Combine your license files (check your license agreement!).

To upgrade the license manager:

1. Run LMTools and ensure you stop the service. I like to check the box for "force server shutdown" and click Stop a couple of times, then exit LMTools.
2. Uninstall the license manager.
3. Install the 11.11 license manager.
4. Configure and start your service.

Done! Under 5 minutes, if you're really good, and you don't have problems trying to stop that service.

Autodesk has developed a video with the exact steps to assist you in setup and configuration. You can go to: http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS13503006 and click the image to load up the video. The upgrade solution can be found at : http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS66079

So, what version of Autodesk programs go with what versions of Flex License Manager? 

Since the license manager is backward compatible, the newer license manager can grant older licenses. 

 

 

 

 

Installation Help for Autodesk 2014 Products

We’ve written before about how to do a network deployment for your Autodesk programs. While we wrote it awhile back, the content is still valid (though your images may differ slightly).  You will need to upgrade the license manager as well, the 2014 version is 11.11. 

If you just need to install your product on a single computer, use the helpful Autodesk guide for that.

Other things you’ll want or need include the information about your software license agreement (Autodesk has a handy page with all their product licensing information, see www.autodesk.com/eula) and how to find the serial number and product keys.

That’s it. Everything you need for installation in one handy-dandy place. If you find yourself in need of significant help, don't hesitate to contact us or check out our installation toolkit.

 

Where did all the AutoCAD sample files go?

Well, they don't come with the program anymore, however, you can download them from the Autodesk website.  www.autodesk.com/autocad-samples

 

Why would you want the sample files?

One *great* reason is for testing.  Say you have a drawing that won't copy/paste or is really slow.  Use a sample file to see if the same thing happens in it.

If it does not have the same problem, then you know that your drawing has a problem.

If it does have the same problem, then you may have an issue in AutoCAD or with your system.

 

 

 

 

Installing Product Design Suite 2014 pre-requisites...

Autodesk has published quite a few readmes for this release. I found some VERY interesting information in the Product Design Suite (PDS) readme that I wanted to share with you as it's really good information and can save you HOURS of uninstalling, rebooting, and installing all over again.

Note:  I'm sure this applies to most all of the 2014 release programs.

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Before you begin...

1. Install Microsoft .Net 4.0
2. Install all Windows Updates that are pending on your machine and reboot. You may need to perform a Windows Update multiple times in order to completely update your operating system.
   •  Windows XP: Use the Windows Update utility located in the Control Panel. 
   • Windows 7: Windows Update is located in the Control Panel, and on the sidebar.
3. Reboot the system.

------------------

Next:

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Uninstall all prior Autodesk Beta products:

Before installing Autodesk Product Design Suites please uninstall all prior Autodesk beta products. The recommended way to uninstall the Autodesk Product Design Suite beta is by using the Quick Uninstall Tool for Autodesk Product Design Suite. To launch the tool go to the Start Menu, All Programs, Autodesk, and click the tool.

-------------------------------

Doing these things *before* you install your 2014 release could save you hours of work!  I'll be looking at other readmes, but I'm sure they'll have the same information in them!

 Here's the really cool part, the readme is already online!

http://images.autodesk.com/adsk/files/Product_Design_Suite_2013_README_RTM.html

 

 

ZOMBIES! Yes Bob, I said Zombies. Watch out!!!

Well, you don't really have to "watch out", but this type of Zombie can give you a frustrating day!

I had a call where the client was unable to properly REEDIT their Xref, it gave the following error:

refedit Select reference: 1645.443800,169.507849,0.000000
Errors found in references to other objects: ** AcDbZombieObject objects cannot be referenced.

I've run into problems with an add-on program and their blocks in the past so I looked there first. The nested Xref has one or more bad blocks in it. I deleted all the blocks, purged all, saved as a different name and repathed it ... REFEDIT worked without errors.