Ansys license manager configuration and license file installation

The guideline shown on this page is to configure the Ansys license manager for shared access to the Ansys licenses on a license server.

Requisites

• Admin or root access on the license server
• Ansys license manager 2021 R1 or newer

Configure license file with static port

If you use a firewall or on a secure network, you will have to add the ports used by the Ansys license manager to your exceptions list. The process shown here is using the default TCP Ports used by the Ansys license manager. 

Notes: 

If Ansys LM is running, "Stop" the Ansys license manager and edit the "ansyslmd.lic" license file to add a static port for the VENDOR Daemon. Default location of the license file shown below.

Windows: 

"C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\license_files"

Linux:

/ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/license_files/

• The 'ansyslmd' vendor daemon port is dynamic (random) when you receive your license file.  
• To set a static port for the Vendor Daemon, append 'PORT=1056' or any free TCP port in your network to the end of the VENDOR line in the license file,

  SERVER hostname/IP hostid_information 1055
  VENDOR ansyslmd PORT=1056
  

• Once the VENDOR port is added to your license file, in our example, add the TCP ports; 1055,1056, and 2325 to your firewall/exception lists to allow access to the license manager. 
• If different ports are used for the FlexNet and VENDOR Deamon in the license file, add these ports together with the Licensing Interconnect (2325) port to your firewall/exception list.
• If the license manager port, 1055 is not used or changed to a different port number, the client computer accessing the license should "Specify" the port number in the license configuration. 

Installing the license file

This process installs the the license file to the Ansys license manager that don't have an existing license, using the default process. 

• Open the Ansys license management center from the "Start Menu > Ansys license manager" in Windows or open the URL, http://localhost:1084/ on a browser on the Linux server running the Ansys LM. 
• Navigate to "License file options" -> "Add a license file".
• Browse to the location of your license file and add the license file.
• Install the license file and Restart the license manager when prompted.

Installing a license file via the comand line 

This process adds the license file into the Ansys license manager without the web interface, Ansys license management center that is not running any existing license. Or installing a license file where the previous license has expired.  

1. Copy the new "license.lic" into the "..\license_files\" folder in your Ansys LM installation directory.  The expired license file can be removed or overwritten with the new license file. The default path of the license file is in: 
   • Windows:

     "C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\license_files"  

   • Linux:

     /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/license_files/  

2. Restart (stop/start) the Ansys LM using the command line:
   • Windows:  

     "C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\winx64\ansysli_server" -k stop 
     "C:\Program Files\ANSYS Inc\Shared Files\Licensing\winx64\ansysli_server" -k start

   • Linux: 
     

     sudo /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/stop_ansysli 
     sudo /ansys_inc/shared_files/licensing/start_ansysli

Adding a license file 

Notes

• If you have an existing license, the 'HostID' on the new and existing license files should be the same.

SERVER hostname HostID 1055 

• Also ensure that the new license file do not contain the same license features in the existing license file. i.e. If the existing license file has the FDTD license, the new license should not have FDTD license.
• Otherwise if the HostIDs are different or the new license contains the same license features, contact your Ansys Account Manager, if the license file was emailed to you and provide the HostID from your existing license to obtain a new license that contains both the existing and new entitlements. Or activate the new entitlements together with your existing entitlements on the same HostID/server in the Ansys Licensing Portal  

Adding the license with the same HostID 

1. Rename the new license file (.lic). Do not use "ansyslmd.lic" or the same filename as the existing license file installed in your server.
2. Renewal entitlements typically have the same license feature with the existing one.
   • Activate the new entitlement on the HostID/server that is running your current licenses. Both the current and new entitlements should show on the same HostID/server in the Ansys Licensing Portal. 
   • Download and add the new license file that contains both the current and the new entitlements on your license server shown above. 
   • Otherwise, add the renewal license when the current license expires. 

See also

Ansys License Management Center Overview (video) 

Managing Ansys Activations (video)  

Adding inbound rules to Windows Defender firewall