Monitoring all license usage from distributed license server set up

[avto]

Recently Autodesk Product Support was asked how to capture all license usage from distributed license server set up.

We would like to get a solution out to a larger audience of users through this post.

You need to install Autodesk License Server tools and then run the command below on a DOS shell from “C:\Program Files\Autodesk Network License Manager” folder, serverStat.txt file will capture the command output.  

lmutil lmstat -a -c @License_server_1;@License_server_2;@License_server_3 > serverStat.txt

[syitha]

So our license server setup is as follows:

1. We have 15 licenses of the Autocad/Revit Suite
2. We have 5 licenses for just Autocad
3. We have 2 Revit Structure licenses
4. They are distributed among three servers:

• Server 1 - 11AutoCAD/Revit, 1 Revit Structure, 5 AutoCAD
• Server 2 - 2 AutoCAD/Revit, 1 Revit Structure
• Server 3 - 2 AutoCAD/Revit

How does AutoCAD determine which license to use when the application is opened?

Does it depend on the serial number associated with the deployment?

[JTBWorld]

It is based on the order they are added and if the first does not have any license available the next one will be checked.

http://www.jtbworld.com/Autodesk-Network-License-Manager.htm#_Toc308431824

[syitha]

Thank you for the quick response.

Do you mind reviewing my License Status Enquiry?

I perused your link and I am very curious as to how you created that graph. Was it automated or manually done?

[JTBWorld]

What do you want reviewed in the status report?

What graph did you have in mind?

[syitha]

Apologies for the ambiguity.

I want you to review the status report to see if this would work correctly.

Some users are not able to open Autocad 2011 because the license server is saying there are no available licenses. In the status report we have 6 of 15 suite licenses that are not used, whereas the 5 autocad licenses are all taken up.
Do I have to rearrange some lines in the license file so that I can achieve proper license grabbing? This would mean if another user opened AutoCAD, would it grab the AutoCAD/Revit license?

For the graph, I want to basically see which licenses are used throughout the day. I believe your JTB Flexreport would do the job. This would enable us to actually see the real-world usage instead of assuming that every user is using AutoCAD or Revit 8 hours a day.

Your website is very detailed and will take some time to digest. Sorry for not reading before asking you these questions.

[JTBWorld]

For knowing for sure I need to see the license files (not a good idea to post them online so you can email them) and I also need to know how the products were installed, possibly the settings on the clients as described in the first link.

Yes JTB FlexReport can create these graphs/charts of the usage as well as in list format and HTML snapshot reports. Email me for a free trial.

[DarrenP]

its also a good idea to update your license manager you are running old ones

the latest one is 11.9 which is on the 2012 media

[JTBWorld]

Good catch Darren, having older versions can mess up things.

[DarrenP]

also another tip is to generate each combined license file on the same day

other wise it can cause problems with cascading

[JTBWorld]

Creating them on the same day is only needed if you combine into one license file. Otherwise I'm not aware of any problem generating them on different days.

[DarrenP]

i am saying each servers license file when combined everything in that license would have to be generated on the same day

there are known issues with cascading with the 2012 products

[JTBWorld]

Agree, and that's why it might be needed to review the license files to determine that. It can be done by searching for ISSUED= and then make sure the date is the same for all instances within the license file.

[syitha]

Mr. Bergmark,

I sent the license file via the textbox in private message since I do not have your email address. syi(at)timhaahs(dot)com is mine if you prefer to correspond in that way.

If you think it's a better idea for me to talk to someone at Autodesk, I can do that too.

[JTBWorld]

I got one attachment. Question is if this was for one license server or all. If it was for one license server your problem might be that the parts are issued at different dates. Suggestion then is to request a completely new license file for each server.

I've added link for contact details on my profile as well as sent you a direct email.