Unable to access license server via VPN

[fward]

HI Out there,

I am having major issues trying to access the lisence server for ProE Wildfire 4 via my VPN. The host machine in with my employer in USA and I am in UK. I have never had such problems before, but it seems (possibly coincidentally) that since I installed MS Office 2010, this problem has occured. When I start Proe, I get a message

License request failed for Feature Pro_E*** - 96

The server machine is down or not responding

Here is what I have tried to date:

1. System restore
2. Uninstall Office
3. Researched all types of similar problems and FAQ's

If any one has any bright ideas on how I can resolve this I would be most grateful. I am on Win XP SP3

Frank

[PrebenReventlow]

Hi,

Did a little research and found this:

Match server's hostname and IP address in hosts file (c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts) in client

• Use full domain name while specifying the license server name in Pro/ENGINEER setup.

• Give exceptions to the Pro/ENGINEER executable in the firewall.

• Check Port settings:

1. In the License.dat, set the port number in the Daemon line like DAEMON ptc_d D:\PTC\flexnet\i486_nt\obj\ptc_d.exe D:\PTC\flexnet\licensing\ptc.opt xxxx, where xxxx is the required port number
2. Make sure the port is exempted in the firewall.
3. After specifying the port number in the license.dat and saving the file, make sure to Stop > Start > Reread License file through lmtools(PTC License Server Tools).

• Check for parallel connections e.g. Windows DirectAccess

I'm frequently using WF5 (Win7) via VPN and have absolutely no problems.

Connecting to Windchill database also.

Preben

[fward]

Hi Preben,

First, thanks for taking the time to research and try to help me. It is really kind of you.

I too had looked at those posts, and admit to being a tad confused. Maybe you could help clarify?

1. I assume the license.dat resides on the host machine in the USA. I searched for this file, and only have old versions that I used when Proe was running 'locally'
2. I have a file (text) lm-9148200, which when I open is the current license file (I think), but does not specify the server machine SERVER__ HOSTNAME__ etc
3. Looking in the hosts file, the host seems to be listed, but when I ping it (VPN connected) I get no response.

Woe is me

[PrebenReventlow]

If you can't ping the server, there's no connection.

Can you access other computers on the network via VPN?

[fward]

Hi Preben,

Yes I can ping some other computers.

Regards

Frank

[HugoHermans]

Frank,

• Can you ping the your license server?
• Is the 7788 IP port open?

Twice a 'yes' is necessary and sufficient to grab a Flexnet license for ProE.

Hugo.

[fward]

Hi Hugo,

Thank you for replying. I need to check the server name when my colleagues in the USA are at work. How do I check if the 7788 port is open?

Regards

Frank

[HugoHermans]

From a dosbox: c:\> netstat -a [enter]

Regards, Hugo.

[fward]

Thanks again Hugo,

Having done that, with the VPN live, I see no reference to 7788.

Regards

Frank

[MartinHanak]

Frank,

I met the same situation at our customer. One of their workstations was configured to run Creo Parametric 2.0 inside the company, firstly. This means there was launch command containg information about license server name, FLEXnet port and Creo license name. Later they wanted to use the workstation at home using VPN connection.

I had to contact their VPN administrator and he unlocked 2 ports in VPN configuration (unfortunatelly I do not know exact procedure).

First port number is 7788 (it is used by lmgrd.exe process when FLEXnet 10.8 is installed).

Second port number (it is used by ptc_d.exe process) is listed in ptclmgrd.log file in FLEXnet\licensing directory on license server. By default, this port number is random, i.e. every FLEXnet start generates new port number. It is possible to set fixed port number in FLEXnet\licensing\license.dat file (see following example).

---

DAEMON ptc_d PATH\PLATFORM\obj\ptc_d.exe PATH\licensing\ptc.opt xport=1234

---

Good luck

Martin Hanak

[fward]

Hi Martin,

Thank you. Out of interest, whenever I start my PC I get an lmgrd error, saying it has to shut down. It has done this ever since I installed ACAD LT, but never seemed to affect the running of ACAD, ProE or any other software.

Could this be an issue?

I am copying your response to the IT specialists in my company in the USA.

Thanks for your help

Frank

[MartinHanak]

Frank,

I I were you and get lmgrd error during start of PC then I would investigate this error and resolve it. This is because I don't like to get errors on my PC.

Martin Hanak

[skumar-10-11-1225]

Hi Martin

Thanks for the details; now I'm able to access license through VPN.

Regards

Sanjay 

[ptc-4714360]

Good Day,

I hope this problem is still related. our flexnet license server for Creo is having problem

connecting its license to the client PCs. but upon testing to turn off the firewall, it just went fine.

is there anything to do to connect the license while the firewall is turned-on?

Already added port exeptions (7788, UDP and TCP) but still cant connect if the fire-wall is enabled.

Is there additional ports to be enable for us to connect the license?

please give us procedures.

Thank you

CHRIS

[MartinHanak]

Christian,

see my reply from Mar 22, 2013 2:38 PM. It contains information you need.

Martin Hanak