Remote License Acquisition

[snowyweston]

I've got a support case open with Autodesk and a line out to my reseller - but I'm impatient, so 'cross'-posting here...


Scenario #1 (that we understand, use, and have no issue with)
User at the end of the working day, fires up a work laptop (connected to our network/domain), launches Revit then borrows a license from the license pool, disconnects from the network/domain, goes home and works, returning license as/when needs be.

Scenario #2 (that we wish to do)
User working from home fires up a computer (theirs or ours) connected to their home internet connection, wanting to run Revit, using a license from our (on office network/domain) license pool. How?



Despite my best Googling-efforts, I am unable find any information on “remote license acquisition”. In so much, where/when we have PCs out/off-of-network (laptops on the move, or personal computers at home) is there a way to “reach into the license pool and claim one”. I know all about license borrowing – but that presumes being connected before wanting a license, whereas my query is for the occasions after. Does that make any sense?

I did see one AUGI thread talking about setting TIMEOUTS on the license server to accommodate laggy VPNs, suggesting that a VPN into our domain (from the outside) is our first requirement (makes sense) – but beyond that the (forum) thread didn’t really elaborate on steps to take before/after.

Might you know of any document/guidance I could swot up on that will shed some light?

[Twiceroadsfool]

Simple VPN works fine for that. You can change the timeout variable on the users computer, and it works fine as long as they are pathed to your license server.

No special magic needed.

Having said that, I personally think a company would have to be batshit crazy to let people pull revit licenses on to personal machines. Way too many things that can go wrong, aside from the licenses (which are easy).

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[snowyweston]

Having said that, I personally think a company would have to be batshit crazy to let people pull revit licenses on to personal machines. Way too many things that can go wrong,

Like maintaining aligned-builds on live-job model-filesets? Or something more sinister? Yeah, that's not really a current concern - but noted.

Right, VPN...

[Twiceroadsfool]

Like letting folks meander around project models and company networks on machines that aren't secured or checked out by company IT, lol.

But yeah. I've done it with regular VPN in Windows 10, Cisco anyconnect VPN, etc. Quick license server env var and timeout change and you're off.

More interesting problem though, is you have to declare standalone or license server when you install. And if it cant find the LS it won't let you install. So they would have had to connect to install...

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[snowyweston]

More interesting problem though, is you have to declare standalone or license server when you install. And if it cant find the LS it won't let you install. So they would have had to connect to install...

So best to ensure the VPN is established beforehand?

(Back-tracking a little)

Essentially, I'm aching to have Revit at home again. There's always a work laptop, but that means I have to plan/think ahead (and almost always means schlepping said laptop to the pub on Fridays). There's poaching a workstation for something a little more permanent, but whilst we've machines spare aplenty, I'm fancying a shiny new rig of my own - on which I hope to use work's software (licenses).




I can't believe I've got Adobe sat on one shoulder whispering "This is soooo easy with Creative Cloud" and Microsoft on the other chuckling "365 likewise!"

[Twiceroadsfool]

Well that's silly. If you have licenses through the new license model and autodeskID then you don't have to mess with VPN and license server at all. But it depends on your licenses and how you deploy the software.

I much prefer the license server to the Autodesk ID's.

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[snowyweston]

If you have licenses through the new license model and autodeskID then you don't have to mess with VPN and license server at all. But it depends on your licenses and how you deploy the software

All on "traditional maintenance subscription" still - but perhaps my reseller knows otherwise. :hide:

[DaveP]

If you're on Subscription, you can request a "Home Use" license, which basically allows you to install a second copy of your office license at home:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/account-management/software-downloads/home-use/request-home-use-license

You have to promise not to have anyone using the license in the office while you're using it at home.

[snowyweston]

You have to promise not to have anyone using the license in the office while you're using it at home.

Given the hours I potter, there's 0% chance of that ever being an issue!