A quick explanation on how the SolidWorks network license operates:
For a network license, SolidWorks operates in a way where there is a SERVER PC and CLIENT PCs. All of the licenses will be stored in the SERVER PC and every time a user wishes to use SolidWorks, it will automatically try to obtain the license from the SERVER PC
Understanding this, the CLIENT must always be connected to the SERVER when SolidWorks is running.
To use SolidWorks out of office where there is no connection to the SERVER, you must borrow a license using the SNL (SolidWorks Network License Manager)
If the problem arises where the CLIENT is not able to connect to the SERVER please try the following steps:
1. Ensure that the IP address is a fixed address for the SERVER PC.
It is not recommended that you use an automatic IP address for the server.
2. Try to run ping test on both the SERVER and CLIENT PCs. Type command prompt in windows search and run as administrator. On the CLIENT PC , you can do this by typing in ‘ping SERVER‘ orr ‘ping IP‘ where ‘SERVER’ refers to the computer name of the SERVER PC and the ‘IP’ refers to the IP address of the server computer.
3. Repeat the step above but perform the ping test on the SERVER PC and see if both the PCs are able to ping each other. One of the following cases will happen:
Case 1:
Server able to ping client
Client unable to ping server
Case 2:
Client able to ping server
server unable to ping client
Case 3:
Unable to ping at all
For all 3 cases, they show signs of connections being blocked by either the SERVER or the CLIENT PC. To resolve this:
4. Go on both computers and turn off windows firewall. Then try to run the ping test again (step 2&3)
5. If it works, it means that the connections are blocked by the windows firewall.
6. In your windows search, type in ‘Windows firewall’
7. Navigate to the ‘Advanced Settings’
8. For both Inbound and Outbound Rules, follow the following steps
9. Right Click on ‘Inbound Rules’ and select ‘New Rule’ > ‘Port’
10. Click ‘Next’ and under ‘Specific Local Ports’ type ‘1433, 25734, 25735, 3030’ in any order
11.Click on ‘Next’
12. For the next page ‘Ensure the option to ‘Allow the Connection’ is selected and click ‘Next’
13. Ensure all the options are selected
12. For the name you can name it e.g. ‘SolidWorks1’ for Inbound.
13. Do the same for the ‘Outbound Rules’
13.Use the name ‘SolidWorks2’ for Outbound. The names should be different.
Now the SERVER and CLIENT PC should be able to ping each other. Once both the computers are able to ping each other, the CLIENT will be able to detect the SERVER in the SolidNetwork License Manager.