How to Set up Your Network for License Borrowing

Gabor Almasi
Graphisoft
Graphisoft
We differentiate two cases: whether the network has DNS server or not. Your system administrator can help to decide which one features your office. In case you share the internet with only a simple router you probably do not have DNS server.

There is a DNS server in the network

This is a simpler case in terms of the borrowing method of the CodeMeter driver. If there is a stand alone DNS server in the network then the client computers can identify the CodeMeter license server by its host name. If there is a problem reaching the server this way your system administrator or IT engineer can help. Some general suggestions:
  • Do not use IPv4 and IPv6 addressing at the same time.
  • Set the Server Identification to Server name on the Configuration/Borrowing tab in the CodeMeter WebAdmin of the license server. (By default this is set.)
Please find more information about CodeMeter server here: CodeMeter server setup guide

There is no DNS server in the network

This usually features smaller offices, where the internet is shared and the network is created by only a router. When you only have computers with Windows operating system you probably do not need these settings because they create a local DNS cache for themselves. But if you have a mixed, Mac + Windows environment our suggested settings are the following, please check/set them according to this order:

Router

  • Do not use IPv6 because our suggestions apply to IPv4 addressing.
  • At the DHCP settings reserve a certain local IP address for the CodeMeter license server ('Client 1' on the screenshot) within the DHCP range. Then please make sure this has been issued for the server. The screenshot was created using Airport Utility, but every router should have the same option.
    wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_codemeter-networksettingsforlicenseborrowing--dhcpreservation01.png

License server

Network settings:
  • Configure IPv4 to use DHCP
  • On Mac: make sure the same computer name is set for the license server at the following locations:
    • /etc/hostconfig file needs to contain HOSTNAME=’computername’ row
    • System Preferences/Sharing: Computer Name field
    • System Preferences/Network/Advanced: on TCP/IP tab DHCP Client ID field
    • DHCP Reservation settings in the Router, as explained above
  • Restart the server then the router after these.
CodeMeter WebAdmin settings:
  • Set the Server Identification to IP Address on Configuration/Borrowing tab.
  • Start the network server with 'Run Network Server' option on Configuration/Network tab.
Please find more information about CodeMeter server here: CodeMeter server setup guide

Client

Network settings:
  • Configure IPv4 to use DHCP
  • On Mac: make sure the same computer name is set at the following locations:
    • /etc/hostconfig file needs to contain HOSTNAME=’computername’ row
    • System Preferences/Sharing: Computer Name field
    • System Preferences/Network/Advanced: on TCP/IP tab DHCP Client ID field
CodeMeter WebAdmin settings:
  • Enter the IP address of the server into the Server Search List on Configuration/Network tab.
On Mac if borrowing still does not work some additional settings can be required (e.g. mainly in mixed, Mac+PC environment) . You may have to bind the IP address of the license server to its name in the hosts file of the client computer. An administrator user can do this following these steps:
  • Open Terminal
  • Use the following command to edit the hosts file: sudo nano /private/etc/hosts
  • Enter your administrator password. Note nothing will be visible on the screen.
  • Navigate to a blank row at the bottom of the host file and enter the new mapping here. On the screenshot x.x.x.x is the IP address what you have reserved for the license server at the DHCP settings of the router, and DHCPClientID is the DHCP Client ID of the license server.
  • Press ctrl+o to save the file. Do not change its name.
wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_codemeter-networksettingsforlicenseborrowing--hosts01.png
  • Restart the computer and test borrowing.

Important

wp-content_uploads_2017_10_Warning_18x18.png
Always test borrowing before you start using it for work. Set a short (few minutes) duration on Configuration/Borrowing tab in the WebAdmin on the license server, then try if borrowing and returning works.
wp-content_uploads_2017_10_Warning_18x18.png
As long as any of the licenses are in borrowed state,
  • do not uninstall the CodeMeter driver from any computers
  • do not install a new main version of ARCHICAD
  • do not modify the server computer's IP address or hostname settings
  • do not reinstall the operating system on the licese server or on a computer where a license is borrowed
  • do not transfer the key into an other computer even with the same network specification

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