Setting up a network license server for CAD software

Introduction to CAD Network License Setup

CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software is an extremely useful tool in the field of design and engineering. To use this software effectively in a business environment, it is often necessary to set up a network license server. In this article, we'll discuss how to properly set up a network license server for CAD software to provide access and license management within your organization.

Step 1: Choosing the right license server

The first step is to choose the right license server for your CAD software. There are many solutions available that offer different features and capabilities. It is worth paying attention to scalability, security, supported communication protocols and technical support offered by license server providers. Choose the solution that best suits your organization's needs.

Step 2: Install the license server

Once you have selected a license server, you must install it on the appropriate device on your network. The installation process varies depending on the CAD software vendor, so it is a good idea to review the documentation and instructions provided by the license server manufacturer. Make sure that you are installing the latest version of the license server and that you meet all system requirements.

Step 3: Configure the license server

After installing the license server, proceed to its configuration. This is a crucial step that will allow you to manage and share licenses on your network. Depending on your CAD software and license server provider, configuration may include the following steps:

a) Selection of Licensing Mode: Select the appropriate licensing mode, such as Network Mode, which allows you to share licenses across your local network.

b) License configuration: Configure the license types and the number of licenses you want to make available on the license server. Specify whether you want to assign licenses on a permanent or loanable basis.

c) Set up access policies: Set up rules for access to licenses, for example, by specifying a list of authorized users or groups.

d) CAD License Monitoring and Management: Ensure that the license server is equipped with tools to monitor and manage licenses. These tools will help you track your licenses, monitor their usage, and ensure compliance with license terms. You will be able to easily see which licenses are currently in use, by whom, and for how long. In case you need to recover your license, you will be able to release them and assign them to other users.

e) Security and backup: It is worth taking care of the security of the license server to prevent unauthorized access and theft of the license. You can use features such as user authentication, data encryption, and setting appropriate access permissions. In addition, regularly make backups of the license server configuration so that in the event of a failure or data loss, you can restore the server operation without losing the license.

f) Updates and Support: Make sure you keep track of available license server updates and install them regularly. Updates often include bug fixes, functionality improvements, and security enhancements. In addition, it is worth maintaining active contact with the license server provider to receive technical support in case of any problems or questions. So much for the theory.

How to set up an ActCAD network license:

ActCAD network licensing allows you to transfer licenses between computers connected to a LAN. A single NFL (Network Floating License) license key will allow one ActCAD client to work simultaneously in the network. On example, if you buy five NFL keys for an office network with twenty computers, you can simultaneously use ActCAD on any five computers on the LAN that are launched first. If ActCAD is closed on one client computer, The license is transferred back to the network license server ActCAD (NLS) and can be used by another computer on the network. In this way, the license will automatically flow between the NLS server and the client computers. All you need is a LAN connection (no internet required). Supported computers can be connected to Ethernet as well as via Wi-Fi.

The ActCAD Network License Manager (NLM) is available in the ActCAD installation directory. There is no need to install the server separately. Any normal computer can be used as an ActCAD network license server. NLM makes available to customers their licenses on demand and will recover them when the program ActCAD is closed on any client computer. Network communication of computers is automatic.

Double-click the file "ActCADNetworkLicenseManager" to run it from the location shown below:

Click Activate License Keys with ActCAD NLM and complete the activation process with the purchased ActCAD NFL keys. There is no limit on the number of license keys to activate. You need at least one NFL key to activate. Activation is required the first time NLM is used on a given computer.

When the activation is complete, click Start Network License Server. You can split the licenses you purchase if you want to use them on multiple networks.

After activation, click Start License Server to view the available licenses as below:

On the ActCAD client computer, open the folder "ActCAD install directory/bin" in Windows Explorer. Delete all files in this folder and create a text file called serverip.txt in this folder. Enter the IP address of the ActCAD NLS server in this file and save. Then run ActCAD on this computer and it will open if the license is available in NLS.

After button "Refresh license data", ActCAD NLM will update the Details on license availability and active computers using the license, as shown below:

When ActCAD is closed on any client computer, the license is released and transferred back to NLS. Now, this license is available for use by another computer on the local network.

All details of the use of the ActCAD network are saved in a .xls file in the "bin" folder. You can use this Excel file to generate your own reports on the use of the ActCAD network license. Diary usage can be seen by pressing the Open Log Dialog use in the Network License Manager as below:

The Help web page will be launched if in the Network License Manager press Network License Guide after the network license