Cadtales

Portable License Utility:
Moving your AutoCAD license to another computer
?You can?t take it with you,? may apply to your worldly possessions in regard to the hereafter ? but you can take your Autodesk? product license with you to another workstation. The introduction of the Portable License Utility by Autodesk makes it easy for you to do just that. With this utility you can move, temporarily or permanently, your Autodesk product license from your ?Master? computer to another computer (Computer B). The process is simple.

Start by installing Autodesk product on computer B and entering the Autodesk product serial number in the Authorization dialog box. Then start the Portable License Utility by following the program path below:

Start>Programs>Autodesk>AutoCAD 200x>Portable License Utility.



In the Portable License Utility dialog box , change to the ?Computer? tab and note the Computer Name and Identification Code. Take this information to the Master computer.

On the Master computer start the Portable License Utility (program path listed above). Make the ?Computers? tab current and press the Add button.

In the Add Computer dialog box, enter the Computer Name and Identification Code from computer B and select OK.

Back in the Portable License Utility dialog box, use the Export License function to create either a License Code or a License File on a memory stick, floppy disk or CD. Take this file/info to Computer B.

On computer B open the Portable License Utility and use the Import License function to enter the Computer Name and Identification Code manually, or import from floppy, CD or memory stick. Once authorized, this will allow the Autodesk product to run on Computer B until the license is moved again.
Note: The Autodesk product on the Master computer will cease to operate if the license in not returned within a 24-hour grace period.

To return the license to the Master computer, use the reverse process; make the Export License file on Computer B and use the Import License function on the Master computer.

Q What happens if the Computer Name and Identification Code file is lost or destroyed before importing?
A Always export to a file, saving the file to your local hard drive first, then copy to CD, floppy, USB data stick or thru network share. Never export directly to a floppy or other removable media. If the media is bad you can always copy again from the file on your hard drive. Backup, backup, backup! If all that fails you will have to apply to Autodesk for a new Authorization Code.

Q Is there a time limit on moving an AutoCAD license?
A No, the license can be moved temporarily or permanently. If the license is exported from computer A to B then the Autodesk product on computer A will stop functioning after 24 hours. You can move it back before or after the 24 hours and functionality will be restored.

Q What happens if Computer B crashes and the AutoCAD installation is lost?
A If the AutoCAD license was moved to Computer B then your only resort will be to restore from your most recent backup of the system. Backup, backup, backup! There are other methods for disaster recovery. These are documented in the Stand Alone Licensing Guide found on the product CD or DVD.

Porting your license to another station can be a productivity benefit for users with multiple stations in different locations. You can ?carry your license with you.? The Portable License Utility offers an unprecedented opportunity to manage, design and distribute documents for any project ? and to help meet impending deadlines.