Description

Use this article to install and start the Ansys License Manager (FlexNet) on a Linux server with no graphical user interface (GUI), such as a minimal Ubuntu 24.04 server or one you manage only over SSH (Secure Shell).

The default installer opens a graphical window and needs a display, so on a headless server you run it from the command line in silent mode.

Shown with Ansys License Manager 2026 R1 on Ubuntu 24.04 server (minimal, no GUI).
*This example was taken from this version but is not necessarily limited to this version.

Solution

Prerequisites

1. Install the required Linux packages and libraries: HOW TO - Install Ansys' Required Linux Packages & Libraries.
2. Set the server's hostname to its final name before you request or install the license file. If the server still uses an old or temporary hostname, clients cannot reach the license server.

1. Install and Start the License Manager

1. Download the License Manager installation package from the Ansys Download Center: select Linux OS ➜ Tools ➜ License Manager Full Package.
2. In the folder that contains the downloaded file, extract the package:

   tar -xf ANSYSLICMAN_your_version_LINX64.tgz

   Replace your_version with the version in your downloaded file name.
3. From the extracted path, run the silent installer:

   sudo ./INSTALL -silent -LM

4. When the installer finishes, copy your Ansys license file to /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/license_files/.
5. Start the licensing service:

   sudo /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/start_ansyslmd

   Note: On a server with a GUI, you can also start the License Management Center (LM Center) with the command below. On a server with no GUI, this command may return an error, but the license server still runs without it.

   sudo /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/start_lmcenter

2. Verify It Worked

1. On the server, run:

   /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/linx64/lmutil lmstat -a -c 1055@localhost

2. On a client computer, open Command Prompt and change to the licensing client folder:

   cd C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\vXXX\licensingclient\winx64\

   Replace vXXX with the client's installed version folder, for example, v252 for 2025 R2.
3. Run:

   -lmutil -lmstat -a -c 1055@your_hostname

   Replace your_hostname with the license server's hostname.
4. Both outputs (Server and Client) should show the license server UP (MASTER) and ansyslmd: UP, followed by the license features.
   
   Note: If the server shows the license features but the client does not, open the license ports in the server's firewall. See HOW TO - Add Firewall & Port Exceptions for Ansys License Manager.

3. Point Client Computers to the License Server

1. On each client computer, set the Ansys Licensing Settings to your license server: HOW TO - Specify an Ansys License Server.