Troubleshooting Floating Licenses

Troubleshooting Batch Files

Have you confirmed that your floating license server is running?

1. Log into the machine where license server is running  and launch the LMTOOLS*** application.  
2. Go to the Server Status Tab and click – Perform Status Enquiry. You should see a message that reads:  <LicenseHost> : license server UP?

If the License Server is not running

1. Open LMTOOLS if is not already open. Go to the Start/Stop Reread Tab and click the Stop Server Button and then the Start Server Button. Go back to Server Status tab and click Perform Status Enquiry again. If the Floating license server is now running you may need to check the User Services box in the Config Services tab to allow the floating license server to run.
2. If the license server still won’t start go to the Config Services tab in LMTOOLS***.  Ensure that the Path to the license File is a valid and is pointing to your safe.lic license file. Next check that the license file referred to above is intended for the machine you are running it on. Open the safe.lic license file in a text editor. The first line of the license file should show the license server host name (machine name or IP) and the hostid for example: SERVER MYCOMPUTER 00231504209c
3. Confirm that the computer or IP address named in the license file is actually the name of the machine you are running it on. You can edit the host name (do not edit anything else) but this will only help if you confirm that the hostid is correct – see next step below.  
4. Confirm that the hostid in the license file is valid for this machine by checking this number in the System Settings tab of LMTOOLS***. The number may represent your ethernet address - if you have more than one ethernet address the hostid may match one of them. If the hostid shows as '"fffffff" this is not correct - see this article. If the number in the license file cannot be found anywhere on the System Settings tab this license cannot be used on this machine. Your license may have been issued for a different machine. If you are running your license server on Virtual Machine and you have moved to a different physical machine this will also invalidate the license if the ethernet address has changed. In either case you may need to request a new floating license - see the steps at the bottom of this article.*
5. Confirm that you are running a recent enough version of flexlm. For FME 2010 or later you must be using flexlm 11.4 or later. If you need to upgrade your flexlm license server please see the instructions in the FME Installation and Licensing Instructions
6. If none of the above steps have resolved the problem go back to the Config Services tab in LMTOOLS*** and click on the View Log button. Examine the floating license log. There are a number of issues that can be seen here but if the problem is not clear please email this log file to support@safe.com along with the floating license itself, your company name and your serial number. The path to both the log and the license file can be found on the Config Services tab of LMTOOLS***.

Licensing FME

Licensing was not Successful for FME 

1. FME may be unable to reach the FLEXlm Server. Before going any further you may want to try running the Troubleshooting Batch File referenced above on your license server which will attempt to open the necessary ports.    Ensure your FME machine can connect to the FLEXlm Server by pinging the floating license host. You may have a firewall or some other barrier between your FME machine and floating license host. By default the floating license is obtained through port 27000 and this port must be open. Also, the vendor port (safe) may also need to be open. This port is listed in the log file as "safe using TCP-port ####". You may need to talk to your System Administrator and ask if communication can be open through this port, or if lmgrd.exe and safe.exe can be added to your firewall's exception list. It is possible to use another port other than 27000, and the steps can be found in the FME Installation and Licensing Guide.  If you can ping the license host but still cannot get a license for your FME it may be that the specific port used by the license server is blocked.  Try entering 27000@<floatinglicenseserverhost> in the FME License Wizard** when asked for the floating license server host. You can confirm the port is accessible using Telnet at the command prompt for example: C:\> Telnet LicenseHost 27000 If you see a blank screen you know that the port is accessible and you may need to return to the step above - Have you confirmed that your  floating license server is running?  If you cannot connect to the LicenseHost using Telnet on the specified port this still likely to be a firewall or networking issue and you may need to consult with your System Administrator.  
2. When trying to connect to license server you may see the message "The floating license version is not compatible with this version of FME". Floating licenses created before FME 2006 are not compatible with later versions of FME. These older license files contain 9999 on each feature line which you can see if you open your safe.lic file in a text editor. If you have this type of license and need to run a newer FME please request an updated license file following the steps below.*
3. FME 2007 and FME 2006 are not compatible with floating licenses that include the "BORROW" feature. The borrow feature has been included in licenses since 2010. If you are running either of these releases (FME 2006 or 2007) and cannot obtain a floating license check your floating license file (safe.lic) on your license host in a text editor. If you see the word "BORROW" you will need to request a modified license file.  Please specifically request a license that does not include "BORROW" and provide the other information listed below.*
4. FME 2005 and earlier requires a specific type of floating license that is not compatible with later versions of FME and is not compatible with "BORROW". If you are running FME 2005 or older confirm that the floating license file on your license server is compatible with this release. The license file should have the numbers 9999 on that line that defines your FME edition and should not include the "BORROW" capability. If you have an incompatible license file please send an email to codes@safe.com with your existing floating license file attached and request a license for FME 2005 and earlier. Please note: Floating licenses issues for FME 2005 or earlier are not compatible with later releases of FME.
5. Make sure you do not have the feature chinese_locale in your floating license file unless your machine is set to the Chinese locale.

FME is Licensed but with the wrong Product or Edition

1. Start FME Workbench and confirm that it is using your Floating license and the product you wish to use is licensed. Go to Help – About FME Workbench. You should see FME Desktop <YourEdition> (floating) .
2. If you do not have the FME edition you expect, rerun the FME Licensing Wizard** and be sure to select the product you want to use if more than one FME product is available.
3. Confirm that the FME Licensing Wizard was run from within the same directory as the FME Workbench you are running – this can be an issue if you have more than one FME installed. Both applications can be found within the FME install directory. The FME Licensing Assistant application can be found here: <FME>/fmelicensingassistant.exeand FME Workbench is available here <FME>/fmeworkbench.exe.
4. Check that you do not have an old fixed license still sitting in your licenses directory. With your file explorer browse to <FME>\licenses\ . Back-up and remove any files ending in .fmelic – unless you actually intend to use a fixed license.
5. Ensure that you have installed the correct license on your floating license server. One the floating license server start LMTOOLS*** and click on the Config Services tab. Confirm that the Path to the license File is valid and is pointing to your safe.lic license file.
6. Still on the license server machine, open your safe.lic license file in a text editor and check that the products you have purchased are included in the license file. If you do not see the products listed that you have purchased please contact your Safe Software Account Manager or sales@safe.com.

*To request a new Floating License File

**Running the FME Licensing Assistant or Wizard

*** Launching LMTOOLS