Reconnect to License Server

I work for a large company and use Matlab on my laptop with NNU license (license server is on company license server).

When I'm at my desk the Laptop is connected via wired LAN, and when I'm in a conference room or some other room I use company WLAN with a company VPN.

In both cases, Matlab works fine and license is checked.

The PROBLEM is with the switching! Each time I switch Matlab is not able to re-establish license validation! It forces me to exit Matlab and reactivate. It is successful every time, but it is a hassle! I'm a heavy Matlab user and restart the Matlab and beck to the development point is annoying and time consuming. It is clear that the laptop IP is different between the two cases. Furthermore, when I use Matlab at home (same laptop via VPN to the company servers) I have the same issue.

I would like to have a solution for this even if it requires to run a script (Matlab commands or Windows commands) without the need to close the Matlab. The only solution I have today, is to use Borrow process, but it is limited since sometimes I need to run toolboxes that are floating licenses. Then the issue is back.

Please let me know how it can be solved. If there is no current solution I would like Mathworks to add one in the future.

I know others in my company have same issue, and I'm sure it is common to other companies as well.

Thank you,

Alecs

Answer 1

[Udaya Mallampati]

Hi Alecsander,

You can use the FlexNet license borrowing for the license mobility. This capability enables you to use MathWorks products on computers that do not have continous connection to the license server. For this, you will need to request a license file from MathWorks that includes the license borrowing capability.

You can refer to this link that gives an overview of license borrowing.

[Alecsander Eitan]

As I wrote, Borrow process is a solution, but bulky and requires an additional Matlab restart for using floating licenses.

(in any case one Matlab restart is required to return the floating license).

I truly expect Matworks to solve this issue.

Answer 2

[Andreas Goser]

Alecsander, if I understand it correctly, the issue surfaces when you change the network and you suspect IP addresses being part of the problem. But technically, the NNU license's options file uses user names. So maybe there is something you IT can do for you and the other users. Maybe they set up the options file or the network in a way it is different to other companys? Also, those are the likely the people to convince to (if everything fails) give you a stand-alone license that does not need a server connection in the first place.

Next step: You or your IT contact installation support please. I see you work in a country without direct MathWorks office. The reseller may need to get help from MathWorks too. You can contact me directly if anything in the process takes too long.

[Alecsander Eitan]

Thank you for the suggestion, but company IT policy is not something that can be changed. The company network is designed and maintained for the benefit of all and having a fixed IP address for each device is not included for various reasons.

Changing to IND type instead of NNU is also not applicable for our use. I assume Mathworks is supporting these types for real reasons. Removing the NNU is not the solution that is acceptable.

I hope that with the increase in mobility use Mathworks will solve the issue and not just suggest bulky workarounds.

[Steven Lord]

I second Andreas's suggestion that you and your company's IT staff contact Installation Support. You, your IT staff, and Support can discuss potential solutions and hopefully either find one that works for all three parties or gather information that the installation and licensing developers can take into account for future enhancement.

[Walter Roberson]

I would not expect Mathworks to solve the issue. Mathworks is limited by the licensing software they use. Although they could in theory switch licensing software vendor, I do not imagine that to be realistic in the near to mid future.

I would expect, however, that if you open a case and put your IT people in touch with the Mathworks support people, the two could work together to figure out what the technical bottlenecks are, and at the very least put together a use scenario that your IT people would be willing to live with, that Mathworks could then present to the vendors of the licensing software.

One thing my days in IT taught me was that if a problem could be resolved by editing a config file and making the change did not open security holes or involve a cascade of other changes, then saying "But I don't want to" was not an acceptable response.

Go through the Support process. Get a precise response from the specialists. Ask your IT to implement it. If they refuse, submit the refusal in a letter to your manager pointing out how the refusal is interfering with your work. Let your manager push it up the hierarchy. At some point someone with authority is going to balance your time against IT's time and make a Go/ No-Go decision.

Note: I do not work for Mathworks.