I need a floating license to run AutoCad/Inventor on a Win 7 pc and a Win 10 pc

[Anonymous]

Our company has mandated all pcs to be on Windows 10 by end of this year.  We are currently on Windows 7.   No problem, just upgrade.  However, we are using BlueCielo Meridian 2014 and it appears to be incompatable with Windows 10 (different security protocols it appears).  We will be moving the Meridian files to Windchill PDM sometime in the first quarter or half of 2020.  The problem is we still need to produce work.  Our solution from IT is to run a Windows 10 pc for our daily work on our company network and run a Windows 7 pc on a isolated network (no internet access).   I have local admin rights on both PCs.  Autocad works fine on my main Windows 10 pc, but when I log onto the Windows 7 pc, I get a request for either the server location or a license file.  I enter the server location of the license file, but it ignores the response and all I can do is cancel the operation.  The attached screenshots show the order of requests:  01=initial request (Also troubling is the loading error for autocad360, we do not have that loaded).  02=response after entering license file location.  04=final screen and autocad closes. 

Hopefully this makes sense.  Thanks for any insights.

[natasha.l]

Hello @Anonymous, 

This is because you are not connected to the license server where you obtained the license. Based on the situation you described you will have to Borrow the license while you are offline. When you are online & connected to the server return the Borrowed license. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

Have you reviewed this? https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-...

Is firewall enabled on this given machine?

[Anonymous]

I was not expecting such a quick reply, I will let you know if this works after IT completes some initial work . Thanks I thought this may be a solution, I was hoping this was not it.😐

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick response, if the borrowing license response does not work there has to be an answer in your post.

Will update when I get it working, waiting on IT to complete some groundwork before proceeding.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

Let me ask you this because your posting only indicated no internet on this machine.

But is it connected to your internal network?  If so there's no need to borrow a license if the machine can ping and communicate with your own servers.

[Anonymous]

I have been told that only the Meridian server location will be accessible on this isolated server, so no I do not believe we will have access to the license server. 

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

Well borrowing a license is not going to work either unless this machine is moved to a location where it can access the license server and then you can get a license and then borrow it.   But borrowing can only occur for "X" number of days.   If something happens to that machine, the borrowed license is stuck out there and then you have to get Autodesk and/or your reseller involved to get the license back.   In the end borrowed license should really be used when you're taking the machine/software on the road.

You could request home use for this, get a standalone serial # and activate it that way.   But if you do then you need to  reserve 1 license through an option file on the license manager because you are using a home use request in the office and you need to remove 1 license from your license pool to adjust for this.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like what we need to do.  We need to do this for 2 dedicated users and 1 pc for the rest of the company to access.  We can afford to lose 3 licenses for 3-6 months.  When our situation is resolved will we be able to get our floating licenses back?  Are these requests actual requests only or does money need to change hands?  Thanks so much for the insights and help.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

Request only, but

You never indicated the type of network license.

Perpetual license not on an active maintenance plan:   Unable to request home use

Perpetual license on a active maintenance plan: Able to request home use

Multi-user (network) subscription license:  Able to request home use

Contract manager or software coordinator for your network license can request home use through here https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/account-management/users-software/home-use/request-h...

[Anonymous]

We have a network perpetual license on an active maintenance plan.

I will use your advice to request the home use license when we return from year end break.

Thanks and have a Merry Christmas and New Year.