How to Borrow a Network License

SOLIDWORKS Network License Borrowing Guide

This article describes how you can obtain a network license to be used away from the network hosting the license server.

Borrowing vs Checking out:

The term “checking out” refers to pulling a license from the license server for a current session of SOLIDWORKS. When a license is obtained this way it is automatically returned to the license server when SOLIDWORKS is closed.

If you are using a network license and you are required to use SOLIDWORKS away from the network hosting a license server, you can do so by “borrowing” a license which removes it from the available pool of licenses.  The license is lent for a specified period of time, up to 30 days, (or as defined by the SNL Options file ).

Here are the steps to borrow a license:

1. Click Start > All Programs > SOLIDWORKS 20XX > SOLIDWORKS Tools > SolidNetWork License Manager 20XX.
2. Navigate to the License Borrowing tab > Select a date in “Borrow until” to specify the length of time you want to borrow the license, with a maximum of 30 day
   
3. Select the product license to borrow, then click Borrow.
4. Click Refresh. The Expire Date column indicates when the license is due back.
5. Click OK.

Returning a borrowed license:

1. Click Start > All Programs > SOLIDWORKS 20XX > SOLIDWORKS Tools > SolidNetWork License Manager 20XX.
2. Go to the License Borrowing Tab.
   
3. Select the product to be returned in the “Borrowed product licenses” dialog box
4. Click on Return

Please note that an issue can occur if you use a different connection to return the borrowed license to the SolidNetWork License server such as a laptop's wireless connection instead of ethernet connection.  Please ensure the connection used to initially borrow the license is enabled (i.e. wireless or ethernet) and in use.

Benefits of borrowing a license:

1. After borrowing a license, a connection to the license server is not needed.
2. License is assigned only to you for a specified time.

Restrictions:

 If the borrow functionality needs to be restricted, an options file can be configured to do the following:

1. Configure the number of licenses that can be borrowed.
2. Configure maximum amount of time in hours a SOLIDWORKS license can be borrowed.
3. Configure a computer or group of computers that can borrow licenses.
4. Configure which licenses can be borrowed.

More information regarding options files can be obtained here.

If you are not able to perform these steps or you have any questions, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at support@hawkridgesys.com.