EDU Update license file for Autodesk - specifically AutoCAD 2021

[jflannery]

Our license for 1250 devices expires this summer (3 year license) now it's year to year and I have to update the license on 1000 + machines for our school board. 

Is there a script or already packaged method of updating the licence on all AutoCAD versions we have (this isn't specific to just AutoCAD but all other versions as well.) 

[rapidcad]

You might want to post this question on the Licensing forum (which admittedly seems a little difficult to find on Autodesk's site. Here's the link..

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/installation-licensing/bd-p/24 

Let me know if that helps:

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

Thanks for your question.

About a month before your licenses expire and assuming your educational eligibility is up-to-date—be sure to check the Get Products page and login to confirm—you should receive an email from us about renewing your network licenses.

At that point, you'll be able to generate a new network license file that you can use for your campus machines.

You can learn more here:

Renew access for educational institutions

Does this help? 

Regards,

Gabe

[jflannery]

That is exactly what I've done and now I have new licenses but have to find a way to get them on the machines that have the software installed. The current licence is done July - I have a new one good for a year but now I have to update the license file on all 1000+ machines we have autocad on without having to repackage and redeploy the entire suite. 

Make sense? 

[jflannery]

I would but I get a permission error when trying to....😫

I get the following message. 

You do not have sufficient privileges for this resource or its parent to perform this action.

Click your browser's back button to continue.

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

Thanks for the additional details. We took a look at what we think is your account, and it looks like you have mostly multi-seat standalone (MSSA) licenses. Is that correct?

The easiest way to deploy new licenses to all of your machines would be to switch them over to network licenses and to use a network server. 

Is that an option for you? 

[jflannery]

I would really rather not. The beauty of having these as stand along licenses was not having to manage flex net licensing server. we haven't used it for the past three years and I don't want to go backwards. Is there not a way to script add the new license? I worked with Support several years ago when a license went bad and it was an option then but I (unfortunately) didn't maintain the script or correspondence. I know it's possible but am still looking how to do it. 

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

Thanks for the additional info. I'm checking with some colleagues to see if we can figure out any options for you.

Regards,

Gabe 

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

Could you please clarify if your preference is to update your installed software and associated licenses to AutoCAD 2021 vs. using the older version still installed on the 1,000+ machines?

Thanks,

Gabe

[jflannery]

My preference is to maintain the installed software and only update the licence file on each machine with the new licences we have now. Sorry I was away for a week otherwise I would have got back to you sooner. 

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

Thanks for confirming. I'm working with my colleagues to sort out the best option for you. 

Regards,

Gabe

[jflannery]

Thanks for reaching out to me via support ticket but Matt has had to relegate it to Education support and we've not heard anything from them as of yet. (it's not been a week so I assume it takes time for the free education support). 

Currently we have 16 high schools with AutoCAD 2021 running on over 1000 machines. For the past three years I've been able to use the license from the 1250 batch license and package\deploy the software. 

Now that the license is expired I and I assume many other School Boards will have to either re-think how we deploy AutoCAD products or (and this is my wish) we have the ability to extend the current license we have installed or if not possible (it's on a 1 year cycle now I understand) a way to use the new license of which I am unsure how to even acquire for 2021 at this point even though I have renewed my Educator status and have access to get new installs the software\licenses we used to see in the portal do not show for any of the new licences I have requested.  I have attached Screen capture for reference. I have 2019 perpetual licenses (which we no longer use.) and a 1250 AutoCAD license that expires in July 22nd,2021 that is ending it's maintenance schedule. This one is the one I would love to extend. 

[jflannery]

Further to this the link to installing for multiple locations in the Education software download area (more info link) is dead. 

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-manage-Education-...

[emily.steinglass]

Hi @jflannery , 

Apologies for the delay. The reason why your AutoCAD 2021 license wasn't auto-renewed was because we need you to  confirm your eligibility for educational access. I have sent you a private message with instructions on how to confirm your eligibility. Please let me know how you make out and then I can help you renew your access to AutoCAD 2021. 

Best,

Emily 



Thank you for your patience. 

[jflannery]

I have already done this and the [email protected] you suggested is assigned to us is for ECNO and not the Simcoe County District School Board. 

I can get new licenses - I have already registered my account with AutoCAD and can get new licences (although right now there is an issue with the site and no licences are being assigned.) 

The license I want to renew (the 2021 license we have) would be great to renew if that possible. We deploy many different apps from system centre but I am focused on AutoCAD 2021 right now. 

I can download and install net new versions of the license. 

The question was\is - 1. Can I renew what I already have? or 2. If not, can I update the license with the new one I just got recently after re-registering (in June) my Educator status?

[emily.steinglass]

@jflannery - Thank you for providing more details. I just sent you a private message requesting additional account details. This will help me better assist you. 

Best,

Emily

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

I see that @emily.steinglass has jumped in to help out (thanks, Emily!).

Re: the dead link you noticed, do you recall the page where you found that? You noted the education download area, but do you recall the exact URL where you found it?

In the meantime, this link may be helpful, too:

Get started - IT/lab admins in educational institutions

Thanks,

Gabe

[jflannery]

When downloading the software (I am logged in and authenticated) I click on 

Managing licenses for multiple campuses - See more - this link is dead. 

I've attached a screen cap. 

[gabe.anderson]

Hi @jflannery,

Thank you. I've reproduced the issue and am looking into updating it.

The article I previously shared includes this note: 

If you work for a regional or district office and are responsible for software acquisition for multiple educational institutions, you will need to create a separate account for each institution.

Hope this helps?

Regards,

Gabe