How to set up the Autodesk Network License Manager on a Mac

Autodesk Support

Feb 20, 2024

Products and versions covered

Issue:

This article shows how to set up and configure the Autodesk Network License Manager on a Mac.

Environment:

  • Apple macOS 12.5 - Monterey
  • Apple macOS 13 - Ventura

Solution:

For the Autodesk Network License Manager system requirements for Mac operating system see: System Requirements for the Network License Manager
    1. Download Autodesk Network License Manager version 11.19.4.1 for Mac
      • ​​Download the nlm11.19.4.1_ipv4_ipv6_mac64.tar.gz file to the Desktop.
    2. To install the Autodesk Network License Manager:
      • Double click on nlm11.19.4.1_ipv4_ipv6_mac64.tar.gz to unpack the installer package.
      • After unpacking nlm11.19.4.1_ipv4_ipv6_mac64.pkg will be /Downloads/adlm/FLEXnet folder.
      • Double click on nlm11.19.4.1_ipv4_ipv6_mac64.pkg to start installation and follow the installation wizard.
      • The license server will be installed in /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory.
    3. Change permissions for /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory to 777 
    • Open Terminal (located in /Applications/Utilities/Terminal) and enter the following command:
    sudo chmod -R 777 /usr/local/flexnetserver
    • Note: Administrator password may be asked. While typing no characters are shown, just type out the password and hit return key.
    • Note: To start the license server only with elevated permissions (using sudo command), change permissions to 755 instead of 777.
    1. Create /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses directory for network license file location
    sudo mkdir /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses
    1. Find the license server Host Name and Host ID.
    2. Generate the Network License File in the Autodesk Account (video tutorial).
    Note: In this article we will refer to adsk_license.lic as network license file name. Feel free to change the actual name of the license file, but make sure to reflect the new name when using the commands below.
    1. Create a debug.log file in the /usr/local/flexnetserver/ directory using the following command:
    touch debug.log
    1. To start the Network License Server use the following command:
    /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /usr/local/flexnetserver/debug.log
    Note: If folder permissions for /usr/local/flexnetserver/ are set to 775, then use sudo command to start the server. For example: 
    sudo /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmgrd -c /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic -l /usr/local/flexnetserver/debug.log
    1. To obtain license server status enquiry:
    /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmutil lmstat -a -c /usr/local/flexnetserver/licenses/adsk_license.lic
    1. To stop the license server:
    /usr/local/flexnetserver/lmutil lmdown -q -force
    • A​​lternatively, run ps command to obtain process ids for lmgrd and adskflex and then kill those processes:
    ps -ax | grep lmgrd
ps -ax | grep adskflex
kill -9
    • (provide process ids obtained by previous commands individually)


    To start the license server automatically after the system reboot, check these articles:
    A step-by-step video tutorial can be found here below.


     

    Products:

    All Desktop Products;

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