WARNING: T-Mobile JeXtream Hotspot

[Michael_Barb]

I have a T-Mobile JeXtream hotspot that AutoCAD is not compatible with.  I work in locations that often do not have wireless.

AutoCAD licenses check when you open it fails more often as it succeeds.  It works fine when wireless is tethered from my cell phone.  When I do a direct connection to the hotspot it is problematic. When I do a wireless connection to the hotspot it fails much more often than it succeeds.

After I get AutoCAD running on the cell phone I change my web connection to the hotspot.    Every once in a while it will crash the cell phone connection.  Again, direct connection is more stable than wireless.  I suspect it is the ongoing license check.

At first I blamed the location.  I am now using it in the 4th locations and see the same pattern in all.  It has taken several months to see the pattern.

AutoCAD says T-Mobile is at fault, T-Mobile says it is AutoCAD.  T-Mobile no longer offers JeXtream hotspots.  JeXtream cost $200, the replacement costs $350.  What does that tell you?

I am stuck with the $200 charge and have to start over with the more expensive one.  The data charge is the same whether on the hotspot or added to the cell phone.  The moral of the story is forget using a hotspot.  Just tether off your cell phone.

[Simon_Weel]

I don't know JeXtream, but could it block certain ports? Like those used by the license manager? See Which URLs/Protocols need to be allowed for Autodesk Subscription Licensing

[Michael_Barb]

It is random.  I would think a cause like you suggested would be consistent.  It feels like a timeout problem.  Or a randomly dropped packet because it hit some kind of magical bit pattern. 

Another vague trend is after running all morning it will crash somewhere around noon.  Are the licensing serves getting slowed down around then.  Maybe it is T-Mobile server.  It seldom crashes late afternoon.  Still, when tethered to the cell phone this never happens.

Also note that I have replaced the hardware and the problem persists.  It is something unique to the JeXtream.

[mdavis22569]

Possible option .. 

So you need these URL's ..

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/What-URLs-protocol...

Take the PC into offline mode, so you use it on the 30 day calendar.  Activate it within the window  of the time here and there for the licensing. If you have a valid license this should work.   THen you won't get the licensing error while working. As it won't connect. 

[Michael_Barb · Accepted solution]

I tried something like that.  I need my computer online during the day for e-mail and I keep my drawings in the cloud. Sometimes I would start AutoCAD offline and work for maybe an hour.  I then have to go online for something.  In 15 minutes to an hour after going back online AutoCAD would shut down in a licensing violation. 

Again, tethering off the cell phone works fine.  The whole point of this thread is WARNING: T-Mobile JeXtream Hotspot.  The solution is just do not get one or try to use it.

[mdavis22569]

Gotcha ... thanks for sharing about the T-Mobile