AutoCAD Mechanical 2018 - License server connection impossible over VPN?

[Anonymous]

So I've been using AutoCAD Mechanical 2012 for years under a shared Enterprise license on a server.  Never upgraded to the newer AutoCAD software cause there was no reason to.

I just got a new Windows 10 PC and decided I should use the newest version that my company has to offer, which is 2018.  Took me a few tries to get it installed with my toolbars (had to install 2012, import my custom configuration, then install 2018 and import it), and everything was working fine (while I was physically at work - wired or wireless).

Then I tried to work from home one evening and couldn't acquire a license (I could use File Explorer to navigate to the license server and license file though).

I raised an internal IT ticket to get whatever my issue is fixed, and they have informed me that AutoCAD 2018 cannot be used over VPN (but 2012 does).

Is this true?!?

[gaurav.satalkar]

Hello,

Regarding using VPN for AutoCAD 2018, I could find a thread where a similar question was answered by an expert.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/vpn-and-working-remotely-questions/td-p/6335855

But, may be you would like to use the License Borrow facility, where you can use your AutoCAD Mechanical 2018 on a network license without having to be in the network for as long as 6 months. After 6 months, you can borrow the license again.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/network-license-administration/managing-network-lice...

When in the network, and connected to the License Server (In Office), follow these steps for borrowing a license:

1. ABOUT>> Click on Manage License button

2. Click Borrow

3. Select the date and click on Borrow license

With this you can continue working without any issues even when you are not connected to the network.

Hope this helps.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Thank You,

[Anonymous]

That previous thread is about using AutoCAD accross a network connection, rather than on a local PC.  Or at the least it's about accessing and modifying files accross a network.  It sounds like their issue is network speed vs. the data they are trying to pass back and forth.

My issue is that on my laptop, while working remotely with a VPN connection, my local autoCAD 2018 can't seem to find a license (which is nearly no data to send/recieve).  My IT people have told me that AutoCAD itself doesn't allow the aquirign of a license accross a VPN connection (which with my limited knowledge doesn't sound true.  why would AutoDESK do that?).  I can make my work files local to my machine, or put them on a network drive.  but i can't even get that far.

I hadn't thought about borrowing a license, and we have a very limited # of licenses, but i'll do that until someone comes and yells at me for taking one of our precious few licenses.  then i'll let them know they need to fix my issue or i'll keep borrowing.

So borrowing is a band-aid fix, but i am still interested to know if AutoDESK has for some reason denied people from aquiring a product license from a (shared) license server over a VPN connection.

[gaurav.satalkar]

Hello,

I have used AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical in my laptop many times, using the Network license through VPN, where the license server is in my Company network. Have never faced this issue.

You might have already tried setting up the License server again., but may be want to give it another shot.

I will try if i can get a solution for your problem. Did you get time to check the License Borrow utility mentioned in my last post? This should help you.

Thank You,

[DarrenP]

you also need to ask your IT dept where they heard this from or read somewhere

I have not heard or read anything that this will straight up not work over VPN

this sounds more like a communication problem between your laptop and the license server

[Anonymous]

I assumed (and to a certain extent still do), that this is a communication problem between my AutoCAD 2018 install, my laptop, the VPN, and my company network.  Since i can "physically" get to the server and license folder when on VPN, i can only imagine that my issue is my AutoCAD install (including the way the shared license server is set up in my AutoCAD install).  That was why i initiated a ticket with my IT group, for them to fix this issue, only to have them inform me that the new AutoDESK software is supposed to work this way (not allow licenses over VPN).

I did just find out that my company and AutoDESK have had license issues over the last 3 years, but i can't imagine that someone "ressolved" these issues by removing the ability to use a license over VPN.  And i'm not sure how AutoCAD or the VPN software could be set up to work that way.

Lastly, i can and have used the license borrow ability, but due to the issues we've had with licenses, it was strongly suggested by my immediate management to not borrow a license from our limited pool.  Sounds like i get to have my own dedicated license from here on out.

I did request the information from my IT department about how AutoDESK doesn't allow licensing over VPN.

I'll post any further updates.

[Mark.Lancaster · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

When you VPN into your company's infrastructure, it takes more time to grab a license and most likely you're timing out.  Have you added the FLEXLM timeout as indicated here: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-A-valid-license-could-not-be-obtained-by-the-network-license-manager.html

[Anonymous]

Wow, fixed.  Thank you! Shared with my IT department so that they could stop spreading the false information that AutoDESK has disallowed licensing over VPN.

Our VPN connection is aweful, for being a major tech company that I'd guess everyone would know of.

Did a "speedtest" on the connection this morning since I was connected to VPN to test the timeout extension solution, and this is what I got:

VPN connection

PING:  212 ms

Download:  2.48 Mbps

Upload:  1.07 Mbps

Same connection without VPN (still lackluster...)

PING:  115 ms

Download:  26.26 Mbps

Upload:  1.40 Mbps

This is a "Guest" network connection though, since I couldn't test the VPN connection at work while on the company network.  Will redo this at home, but I don't expect a big change.  I'm glad I can move my files to be local for when I take work on the road.