A SOLIDWORKS network license requires a network connection between the server and client machines.  The server runs the SolidNetwork License Manager service and client machines must verify a connection and available licenses from the server before SOLIDWORKS will open.  Communication errors are commonly found on first setting up a network license or if there are changes to the network.

Here are a few possible error messages that may be seen on a client machine when trying to open SOLIDWORKS.

Server

The SolidNetwork License Manager needs to be installed, activated and started on the server.  The major version needs to be the same or newer than SOLIDWORKS running on the client machines.  It is backwards compatible so you should always upgrade the License Manager before SOLIDWORKS.  For example you can use a 2019 License Manager while running SOLIDWORKS 2018.

After any upgrade to the License Manager, you must reactivate to obtain the latest license version.
https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2012/01/update-solidworks-solidnetwork-license-server/

Service Started

Verify that the SolidNetwork License Manager service is running.  Open the License Manager and click ‘Start’ if applicable.  You can also check Windows Services to verify the service has been started and set to Automatic startup.

SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Start

SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Service

Firewall Settings

The most common source of communication errors are due to firewalls blocking the required ports.  If you do have firewalls setup on your network, you will need to select the option that ‘A firewall is in use on this server‘ while activating.  This switches the License Manager to use a static vendor daemon port in order to specify the specific port in the firewall.  By default the License Manager uses TCP ports 25734 and 25735.  These can be changed if required.

To access these options again, you can go through the same reactivation process.

SOLIDWORKS Network License Manager Ports

Both ports 25734 and 25735 must be opened through the firewall for both Inbound and Outbound communication.  For general Windows firewalls, the follow process can be taken.

1. Go to Windows Control Panel > Windows Firewall
2. Select Advanced settings in the left panel
3. Select Inbound Rules in the left pane and choose New Rule
4. Choose Port and specify TCP ports 25734 and 25735
5. This needs to be set to Allow the connection
6. Choose the appropriate profiles of Domain, Private, Public (Public is most likely not desired)
7. Give a descriptive name for the rule such as “SolidNetwork License Manager Ports” and Finish
8. Select Outbound Rules in the left pane and choose New Rule
9. Follow the same steps 4-7 to allow outbound connection for ports 25734 and 25735

Windows Firewall Rules

Though not typically required with the default Windows Firewall, you may need to apply a rule to allow connection for programs lmgrd.exe and sw_d.exe.  By default these programs are located under C:\Program Files (x86)\SolidWorks SolidNetWork License Manager.

Client

As mentioned, client machines must be able to communicate with the server before a SOLIDWORKS license can be obtained.  The firewall ports will need to opened in the same manner as the server.

Firewall Settings

1. Go to Windows Control Panel > Windows Firewall
2. Select Advanced settings in the left panel
3. Select Inbound Rules in the left pane and choose New Rule
4. Choose Port and specify TCP ports 25734 and 25735
5. This needs to be set to Allow the connection
6. Choose the appropriate profiles of Domain, Private, Public (Public is most likely not desired)
7. Give a descriptive name for the rule such as “SolidNetwork License Manager Ports” and Finish
8. Select Outbound Rules in the left pane and choose New Rule
9. Follow the same steps 4-7 to allow outbound connection for ports 25734 and 25735

Server Location

Verify the SolidNetwork License Manager Client application is pointing to the correct server.  This application is found under Start > SOLIDWORKS Tools > SolidNetwork License Manager Client.  On the Server List tab, add the appropriate port and server name.  Ensure only one server is listed unless you have multiple servers hosting separate licenses.

NOTE: When you add a new server name to the list, click OK and go back into the License Manager to verify the new server name is still listed.  If it doesn’t stick, you may need to run the License Manager Client application as an administrator.  Right-click on the application in the Start menu on click Run as Administrator

SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Client

You can also test entering the server IP address instead of the server name to see if there is an issue with name resolution.

If you still receive errors on opening SOLIDWORKS, there are several tests you can perform to verify the connection is valid.

Ping Test

The Ping test verifies that you have access to the server over the network.  This will also give you an indication of the speed of connection from the response time (latency).  If the test fails, you will need to check your network connection on both machines.

1. Open the Windows Command Prompt (click Start and type CMD)
2. Type in ping server_name (where “server_name” is the name of your server or the IP address)
3. It should give a response that 4 packets were sent and 4 were received with 0% loss to verify you have a connection

Windows Ping Test

The speed in milliseconds will be given to determine the latency.  This should be a low as possible.  If it shows more than 100ms, this indicates a very slow connection and may fail to obtain a license due to a default timeout.  Have your IT troubleshoot the slow performance of the network.

Telnet Test

The Telnet test allows you to verify that ports 25734 and 25735 have been opened properly.  Follow the steps outlined in our article How To Perform a Telnet Test

Connectivity Tool

Although typically used to troubleshoot SOLIDWORKS PDM connections, the Connectivity Test Tool can be used to test for the SNL Server connection only.  To find out where the tool can be downloaded, read our blog article SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool

SOLIDWORKS Connectivity Test Tool

The post SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager Troubleshooting (SNL) appeared first on The Javelin Blog.