Issue:
Encountering an error code -15.x when initiating an AutoCAD product.
Causes:
This issue typically arises from a failure to connect to a designated license server, possibly due to incorrect server assignment.
Solution:
A solution is to define the license servers for AutoCAD products through an environment variable, which applies only to software that utilizes the ADSKFLEX.EXE vendor daemon. This variable auto-configures during client installations from deployments set up for multiple servers. For setups requiring redundancy, adjustments should be made in the licpath.lic file.
Important: Assistance from a system administrator may be necessary to correctly execute these steps.
Step-by-Step Guide to Configure ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE
- Open the Windows Control Panel and navigate to System and Security, then click on System.
- Select Advanced system settings from the sidebar.
- In the System Properties window, click on the Environment Variables button.
- Under the System variables section, click on New.
- In the Variable Name field, enter
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE. - For Variable Value, provide the names of one or more license servers in the following format:
2080@server1;2080@server2;2080@server3(substituting ‘server’ with the hostname or IP address of your license server).- For server with IP address
193.45.12.4and custom port27009, enter[email protected]. - Click OK to apply these settings, which take immediate effect.
This specifies the port number and hostname to facilitate communication between AutoCAD and the server. The number 2080 is the Autodesk reserved port for adskflex. If a custom port is necessary, use the format: port@server. For instance:
Understanding the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE Environment Variable
When configuring the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE variable, keep in mind the following:
- AutoCAD checks all servers listed in this variable, prioritizing licenses based on their ranking. Refer to Autodesk’s documentation for details on License Ranking.
- There is no cap on the number of servers you can include.
- Ensure the entries in the
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILEare pointed to operational Autodesk license servers. - This variable will override any other existing license server configurations, including those found in licpath.lic files or registry cache.
For a visual guide on setting this variable for a Windows system, a tutorial video is available below:
See Also:
Utilization of the licpath.lic file and the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE environment variable simultaneously on the same machine.
Products:
All Desktop Products;
Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I do if the environment variable does not resolve the error?
Ensure that all server addresses entered are correct and that the servers are operational. If the issue persists, consider consulting with your IT department or Autodesk support for further assistance.
- Can I specify more than three license servers?
Yes, there is no limit to the number of license servers you can specify in the
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILEvariable. - What if I want to revert to using the licpath.lic file instead?
Simply remove or comment out the
ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILEvariable from your environment settings, and the system will default to using the settings previously configured in the licpath.lic file.