When a user closes SOLIDWORKS or unloads an add-in such as SOLIDWORKS Simulation, the license is automatically returned to the pool. After the SNL is installed it needs to be activated, which pulls in the appropriate licenses.Īs users load up SOLIDWORKS products, the appropriate licenses are checked out from the license pool. It’s a very low overhead tool, so you don’t need a powerful server to run it.
Initial setup is simple – if you already have an existing server PC running Windows, installing the SolidNetWork License Manager or “SNL” or short is a straightforward process. Any client PC that can ping the network license server will then be able to access a license of SOLIDWORKS, or associated products. It allows establishing a license server which hosts the SOLIDWORKS licenses. Network licensing is typically the best option for medium to large organizations. There is no limit to the number of times a license can be transferred, but if you are planning on switching computers frequently, you may want to consider network licensing. This involves accessing the Help Menu and choosing to Deactivate Licenses on the PC currently hosting the license, and then Activating on the new PC. This means if you are planning to use SOLIDWORKS on two different computers (such as a work and home PC), you will need to go through the license transfer process each time you want to switch between them.
With standalone licenses, it is possible to install SOLIDWORKS on more than one PC with a single license, but SOLIDWORKS can only be activated on a single machine per license. With this licensing model, the SOLIDWORKS license is activated and tied to a particular workstation. Standalone, or machine licensing, is the default choice for many customers.