Arnold 2020 license server fails to start on a macOS with the Autodesk Network License Manager already installed

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

On a Mac with the Autodesk Network License Manager already installed, the Arnold License Manager cannot install and setup the Arnold 2020 license server. In some cases one or more of the following messages may appear:

"License Authentication Failed"
"A license error has occurred. Contact your technical support representative for assistance"
"License server machine is down or not responding."

Causes:

The new license server install conflicts with an existing license server install:
  • The network license file for original NLM was not placed in /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory
  • The original NLM was configured for automatic startup with a different script.

Solution:

  1. If you have your own automatic startup script for lmgrd (like a plist daemon or a line in your .profile), remove it. The Arnold License Manager creates automatic startup scripts along with the Network License Manager installation.
  2. Stop the current Network License Manager service. Run following command from a terminal window (Applications > Utilities > Terminal)
  • sudo /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmutil lmdown -all
  1. Move any existing license files to /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory.  
  2. Restart the license service, by running following commands:
  • sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.autodesk.adskflex.plist 
  • sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.autodesk.adskflex.plist 
  1. Check the license service status. In the Arnold License Manager, click File > Diagnostics, and look for the "lmutil lmstat -S" section. That shows the status of your Arnold 2020 license.
Note: If you have other licenses (such as Maya, 3ds Max, AutoCAD, etc.) to verify their status run the command below from a terminal, there should not be errors in the output.
  • /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmutil lmstat -a -c @localhost

Products:

Arnold;

Versions:

2020;

Was this information helpful?

Need help? Ask the Autodesk Assistant!

The Assistant can help you find answers or contact an agent.

Ask the Assistant

What level of support do you have?

Different subscription plans provide distinct categories of support. Find out the level of support for your plan.

View levels of support