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FLOW-3D LICENSING TROUBLESHOOTING ---------------------------------
Hello, I'm Matthew Taylor, Flow Science's IT Administrator. In this brief tutorial,
I'd like to share troubleshooting tips for licensing problems with FLOW-3D, FLOW-3D Cast,
and FLOW-3D/MP. The normal license configuration can be found in the documentation for your
product, which is installed in the "help" directory by default.
1. Components of FLOW-3D licensing
Across all of our products, Flow Science uses Flexera's FlexLM system for software license
management. This system consists of several components.
THE LICENSE SERVER
The main component is the license server. This is a general-purpose executable, named
lmgrd, which can be run on the local machine where FLOW-3D is installed or on a different
machine on the network.
There is another executable, named F3DTKNUX, that handles the FLOW-3D license file features.
It is known as the "vendor daemon."
THE LICENSE FILE
The vendor daemon determines which features will be made available by reading a license
file, which is a text file with special encryption codes. Typically, the license server machine
is equipped with a USB dongle that allows the decryption of the license file. The decryption
can also be done based on the MAC address.
ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
The FLOW-3D graphical user interface and CFD solver executables request features from the
license server. This is achieved using an environment variable.
The variable is handled slightly differently on the Windows and Linux platforms. It is
named F3DTKNUX_LICENSE_FILE, and will be discussed in detail in the troubleshooting portion of
this presentation.
COMMUNICATION
The final component in the licensing system is communication. Whether the server is on
the local machine or running on a remote system, the client and server must be able to communicate
with one another in order to use FLOW-3D.
DEFINITIONS
Some jargon is used in this tutorial, which can cause confusion. Here are some common
terms.
-Dongle: The physical device that is used to control which software features are available.
It plugs into a USB port on the machine acting as a license server. The dongle is provided
by Flow Science.
-FlexID: The FlexID is the number used when the license is locked to a USB dongle. It
is printed on the side of the dongle and is also used in the license file.
-HostID: The HostID is the number used when the license is locked to a network node. It
is the MAC address of the machine which will run the license server.
-License daemon: The lmgrd executable; created by Flexera.
-Vendor daemon: The F3DTKNUX executable; created by Flow Science.
-Client: A machine which will be requesting licenses. This can be the same machine on
which the license server software is used, or a different machine connected to the same
network as the license server. May also refer to the FLOW-3D graphical user interface or
CFD solver.
-Server: A machine which runs the license server software. May also refer to this software,
the lmgrd and F3DTKNUX executables.
2. Troubleshooting
-----DONGLE
First, we should ensure that the dongle is working properly. The red light should be
lit. If it is not lit, there is a driver or communication problem. Often, moving the dongle
to another USB port will resolve the issue.
It is recommended to connect the dongle to a USB 2.0 port, rather than a USB 3.0 port.
USB 3.0 ports are identified by their blue plastic.
SENTINEL HASP DRIVER
If the dongle still fails to light, re-installing the driver may be the solution. The driver
can be found in one of several places.
On the Windows operating system, when the installation executable has been run, a preinstall
directory is created in the licenses subdirectory within the installation directory. In this
preinstall directory, an executable named "hinstall.exe" will reinstall the driver.
On the FLOW-3D Cast CD, this executable can be found in the hinstall directory.
A reboot may be necessary before the driver recognizes the USB dongle. When the communication
is established, the dongle should light up.
On the Linux operating system, the Sentinel HASP driver is found in the tarred and gzipped
installation file. It is a pair of RPM files, starting with aksusbd. These can be installed
by navigating to the directory where the file has been untarred and issuing the command
"rpm -i aksusb*" -- a reboot should not be necessary.
DONGLE STILL NOT WORKING?
If you have tried these troubleshooting steps, and the dongle is still not lit, please contact
support@flow3d.com or call Flow Science at (505)982-0088.
-----LICENSE FILE
The Flow Science License Administrator provides the license file. By default, it is named
flow3d.lic.
LOCATION
The license file should be placed in the licenses subdirectory of the FLOW-3D installation.
By default, these locations are as follows:
For FLOW-3D version 10.1 -- c:\flow3d\v10.1 OR /home/(username)/FLOW3D/v10.1
For FLOW-3D Cast, version 3.5 -- c:\flow3d\CAST3.5
For FLOW-3D/MP -- /home/(username)/FLOW3D/v5.0
SERVER LINE
The license file can be opened using a text editor to ensure it is correct for the machine.
The only line which can be edited without causing a failure is the first line of the
file, beginning with the word SERVER.
The first entry is the host name or IP address. It must match the machine's hostname or IP
address, unless a dongle is used. If a dongle is used, "this_host," the default, is sufficient.
The host name can be found by right-clicking "Computer" and choosing "Properties" on Windows.
On Linux, issue the command "hostname."
Next is the hostID or flexID. This should match the dongle ID or MAC address. The dongle
ID is printed on the dongle.
The IP and MAC addresses can be determined using the command prompt found in the Windows
Start Menu, by issuing the command "ipconfig /all." On Linux, in a terminal window, use
"ifconfig -a."
The last configurable option on the SERVER line is a port number. By default, this is
not included in the file, and the license server uses port 27000.
PORT CONFLICTS AND FIREWALLS
If the machine is running other software that uses the FlexLM licensing system, such as
AutoCAD, the default port may be in use. If this occurs, a different port can be specified
at the end of the SERVER line in the license file. This is done by adding a port number
at the end of the line.
It is common to use a high port number in the 20000 range to avoid other conflicts.
If port 27000 is in use, we tend toward port 27010.
When changing the port, it is also important to ensure that the firewall allows traffic
on the new port. The installer automatically allows the lmgrd executable through the Windows
firewall through whatever port you choose. On Linux, please check the configuration for
iptables or whatever firewall software is being used.
However, some users have third-party firewall tools. To allow traffic, please refer to the
security software documentation to open the relevant ports.
-----LICENSE SERVER AND UTILITIES
After verifying the dongle is working and the license file is configured to the environment,
the license server can be run and checked on the local machine.
To start the license server and write a log file, please navigate to the licenses directory
in your installation, using either the Windows Command Prompt or a Linux terminal.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When running the command line utilities on Linux, a preceding dotslash may
be necessary, depending on the current $PATH. For example, ./lmgrd or ./lmutil
(cd c:\flow3d\v10.1\licenses OR cd /home/(username)/FLOW3D/v10.1/licenses)
lmgrd -c flow3d.lic -l flow3d.log
Issue the command as shown. The -c flag indicates the license file name and the -l flag indicates
the log file name.
We like to test the server using the supplied command line utility. This command will display
status information about the running license server.
"lmutil lmstat -c flow3d.lic"
A good way to check for issues is to open the log file in a text editor. Dongle communication
issues and host name mismatches will be described here fairly clearly. Other issues typically
give an error code, which can be given to our support team for further troubleshooting.
If lmutil and the log file do not show errors, and indicate that the server is running, communication
from the client to the server may be the issue. This can occur even if the client and server
are on the same machine.
-----ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
The environment variables are set in different ways between Windows and Linux.
On Windows, the installer creates a batch file in the "local" subdirectory in the FLOW-3D
installation directory. The batch file is named Flow3d.bat. It can be edited by navigating
there, or simply by right-clicking the desktop icon. Giving the variable a value is done
using the "set" command.
On Linux, the installer creates a shell script in the "local" subdirectory of the FLOW-3D
installation directory. It is named flow3dvars.sh and can be edited using a text editor. Giving
the variable a value is done using the "export" command.
In either case, the licensing variable is named F3DTKNUX_LICENSE_FILE.
If the port is the default, a server name or IP address, preceded by an @ symbol, is used. For example,
set F3DTKNUX_LICENSE_FILE=@127.0.0.1 or export F3DTKNUX_LICENSE_FILE=@license-server.
When using a different port, the port must be specified before the @ symbol. For example,
export F3DTKNUX_LICENSE_FILE=27010@license-server or set F3DTKNUX_LICENSE_FILE=27010@127.0.0.1.
-----LICENSE SERVER COMMUNICATION
The final link in the chain is communication. The license server runs on a given port, and
if this port is blocked at any point between the client and server, the license checkout
will not occur.
The most common failure is at the firewall on the server machine. Port 27000, or the
port used in the license file, must be open. Again, the defaults should allow communication.
With additional security software, the easiest troubleshooting step is to temporarily disable
its firewall capability and test whether a license can be checked out. If so, please
refer to the security software's documentation on how to allow communication on the preferred
port.
Another common problem is the firewall on the client machine. The installer will automatically
open the necessary port, but additional security software may override this. Again, temporarily
disabling the firewall will quickly demonstrate whether this is causing problems.
Finally, especially within secure environments, network routers and switches can block the
necessary ports. In such an environment, it may be necessary to contact the IT department
and determine if this is the case. They will be able to test whether the server is responding
at the appropriate port across the network.
We have also seen cases where the port is only blocked when connecting over a VPN. Again,
the local IT department would address such a situation.
-----FOR MORE INFORMATION
We hope this video has been useful and informative, and solved the problem. For questions or unresolved
issues, please contact Flow Science's support department at support@flow3d.com or (505)982-0088 and we will be happy to assist.
Thanks for watching.
FLOW-3D is a registered trademark in the US and other countries.