Installation & Licensing Center
HOW TO - Test & Fix License Manager Connectivity Issues
Authored by Caleb Scharf
January 13th, 2023
12109 views
4 likes
KB955765
Description
Are you unable to checkout a license or properly open your Ansys software? This article will help you ensure the client can successfully communicate with the License Manager (aka License Server).
Solution
Step #1 - Test Connectivity with the License Manager
Client Versions 2021 R2 & Later
Two processes and ports must be running and able to be communicated with on the license server in order for clients to connect to it.
- FlexLM Process - Port:1055
- Vendor Daemon Process - Port: Dynamic
Test | Success | Failure |
FlexLM & Vendor Daemon From the client computer > Windows Search > Search for Ansys Client Licensing Settings [latest version #] > right click and select Run as Administrator > click FlexNet Publisher License Status |
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Two possible failures can occur: ![]() ![]() |
Client Version 2021 R1
Two processes and ports must be running and able to be communicated with on the license server in order for clients to connect to it.
- FlexLM Process - Port:1055
- Vendor Daemon Process - Port: Dynamic
Test | Success | Failure |
FlexLM & Vendor Daemon (Ansys Client Software is Required) From the client computer with Ansys installed > Open a command prompt and run the following command using your license server hostname: "C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\winx64\lmutil.exe" lmstat -a -c 1055@YourLicenseServerName
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Two results are possible:![]() ![]() |
Client Versions 2020 R2 & Prior
Three processes and ports must be running and able to be communicated with on the license server in order for clients to connect to it:
- FlexLM Process - Port:1055
- Vendor Daemon Process - Port: Dynamic
- Ansys Licensing Interconnect Process (Client Ver 2020 R2 and Prior only) - Port:2325
Test | Success | Failure |
FlexLM and Vendor Daemon From the client computer > Windows Search > Search for Client ANSLIC_ADMIN Utility [latest version #] > right click and select Run as Administrator > View Status/Diagnostic Options > Display the License Status > Scroll to Top |
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Two possible failures can occur: ![]() ![]() |
Ansys Licensing Interconnect Open a command prompt on the client computer >Run the following command: "C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\winx64\ansysli_util.exe" -printavail |
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Any Version - Alternative Test Methods (Client Software Not Required)
Below are some alternative methods to test connectivity with the License Manager, in particular, three of the methods below do not require the client software to be installed or functioning.
Three processes and ports must be running and able to be communicated with on the license server in order for clients to connect to it:
- FlexLM Process (lmgrd.exe) - Port:1055
- Vender Daemon Process (ansyslmd.exe) - Port: Dynamic
- Ansys Licensing Interconnect Process (ansli_server.exe) - Port:2325 (Required for Client Versions 2020 R2 and Prior only)
Test | Success | Failure |
FlexLM (Ansys Client Software Not Required) From the client computer > Open Powershell and run the following command Test-NetConnection -ComputerName YourLicenseServerNameOrIP -Port 1055
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Ansys License Interconnect (Ansys Client Software Not Required) From the client computer > Open Powershell and run the following command: Test-NetConnection -ComputerName YourLicenseServerNameOrIP -Port 2325
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Vendor Daemon (Ansys Client Software Not Required, but License Server Access is required) Step #1 - Identify the Port # From the License Server Computer > Search for and Open Resource Monitor > Network tab > Listening Ports section > locate ansyslmd.exe and view the port column (see picture) Step #2 - Test From the client computer > Open PowerShell and run the following command: Test-NetConnection -ComputerName YourLicenseServerNameOrIP -Port YourPort# |
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FlexLM & Vendor Daemon (Ansys Client Software is Required) From the client computer with Ansys installed > Open a command prompt and run the following command using your license servername: "C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\winx64\lmutil.exe" lmstat -a -c 1055@YourLicenseServerName
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Two results are possible:![]() ![]() |
Step #2 - Troubleshoot Based on Test Results
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Did the Test Succeed?
- If tests above succeeded, but you still experience problems checking out a license, please follow - HOW TO - Troubleshoot License Checkout Errors
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Did the Test Fail?
- If the tests above fail, this could be caused by one or more of the following issues. Walk through each of the steps below in sequential order to rule them out.
A) The license server is specified incorrectly
- Verify the license server specified is spelled correctly.
- Verify the specified license server matches the server listed in the installed license file.
- You can skip this step if the license server you've specified does not include a domain name at the end (Ex. LicenseServerName.companydomain.com). This is normally seen on if you are connecting via VPN or on license servers specially configured to be public facing.
- If these server names do not match, you have 3 options:
- Change your specified license server to match the server listed in your license file. If you do this and the connection test still fails, follow the next option.
- In addition to changing your specified license server to match the server listed in your license file, you must edit the host file on the client computer.
- HOW TO - Edit Your Windows Host File
- This is considered a work around and will need to be performed on all other similar computers. For a more permeant solution see the next option.
- Modify the server name listed in your installed license file to your desired full domain name.
- Stop the License Manager
- Modify the server name found in your installed license file as pictured above > start your license manager.
- All Ansys users will need to update their specified license server to this new server name.
- In the future, when you attempt to install a license, you will need to manually edit the provided .txt file before installing it and change the server name to YourServerName.company.com before it will successfully install.
- You can skip this step if the license server you've specified does not include a domain name at the end (Ex. LicenseServerName.companydomain.com). This is normally seen on if you are connecting via VPN or on license servers specially configured to be public facing.
B) The License Manager out of date or not running
Update the License Manager
- Identify what version the license server is running
- Check this list to see if it's the latest version - INFO - Ansys Versions & Release Dates
- Download and install the most recent version of the License Manager if needed.
Verify The License Manager Server is Running
- Can other users/computers connect and checkout licenses? If so, the License Manager Service is running, and you can skip this step.
- These next steps need to be performed on the license server computer.
- If you do not have access to the license server computer, you will need to have your IT Administrator perform this step.
- Windows Search > search for Ansys License Management Center > Right click it and select Run as Administrator
- Once open select View Status/Start/Stop License Manager > verify you see a green check mark.
- If not, start the server and repeat the License Manager Connectivity Test.
- If you cannot start the server, follow ERROR - Ansys License Server Won't Start.
C) DNS is Not Resolving Properly
DNS is the system looks up the license server host name and converts it to an IP address. If this doesn't work, the client can't talk to the license server. Perform the following test to see if DNS is a problem.
- Specify the license server via IP address instead of computer name / hostname and re-run the License Manager Connectivity Test.
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Success?- You have a DNS resolution problem and will need to contact your IT administrator.
- Alternatively, you can manually edit your Windows host file as a work around.
- Failure? - Continue troubleshooting.
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Success?- You have a DNS resolution problem and will need to contact your IT administrator.
- Go back and change license specified to the hostname. Do not leave your license server specified via IP address as not all Ansys features will work properly.
D) Ports on the License Server, VPN or Network Firewall are blocked
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Add necessary Software Firewall Rules on the License Server Computer
- Can other users/computers on the same network as you and running the same version as you connect and checkout licenses? If so, the ports are likely open, and you can skip this step.
- Note - VPN connections are on a different network than local connections. Different offices/building are on different networks as well.
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Add necessary Firewall Rules to any network firewalls/VPN's/routers.
- This is not common in smaller network environments, but more common in highly secure, enterprise networks, and you will need to contact your network team.
- Repeat the License Manager Connectivity Test.
E) Client Computer is not connected to license server network
- Verify the client computer Wi-Fi or physical network cable is connected to your office network.
- If working remotely, ensure the client computer VPN is connected.
- Run the following commands to test network connectivity
Test Success Failure Examples Ping Server Hostname
Open a Command Prompt on the client computer and run the following command:ping YourServerName
Ping Server IP Address
Open a Command Prompt on the client computer and run the following command:ping YourServerIPAddress
- If ping responses are disabled on the license server, attempting to connect via Windows File share can sometimes be an alternative way to test.
Test Success Failure File Share Test - Server Hostname File Share Test - Server IP Address
- If these tests fail the server is either offline or not configured to respond to ping requests/file sharing and you'll need to contact your IT Administrator.
F) The License Server Computer is Offline
- Can other users/computers connect and checkout licenses? If so, the server is online, and you can skip this step.
- Perform the tests above in the section Client Computer is not connected to license server network. These tests will also help determine if the license server is online or not.
- If these test fails, the only other way to confirm if the license server is online is to remote desktop into it or physically go to the computer and verify it's online and connected.