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How to Test the Network Key Prior to Purchase
- By Mark Nicholson
- Published 21 February 2008
- Installation and Troubleshooting
- Unrated
Testing the Network Key
Many corporate customers want to convert from multiple single user keys to network keys,but want to make sure that their networks are properly configured before changing something that's worked for years. We understand! That's why ZEMAX has a built-in diagnostic that lets you set up a network key server without actually having a network key attached, and that then tests the connection to the server so you're sure the network key won't be blocked by firewalls, security software etc. All you need is a regular stand-alone ZEMAX key and a working ZEMAX installation.
First of all, read the Knowledge Base article How to Install the Network Licensed Version of ZEMAX. Then follow these simple steps.
1. Install the key driver software on the machine that will be the keyserver machine once you buy the network key. Test it with a browser, as described in the main installation article. You should see the same screen as shown in that article, except that the number of licenses will be shown (correctly) as zero. But you now know the keyserver machine is working properly!
2. Now go to the machine that has ZEMAX installed on it. Use the browser test again. Assuming it passes this test, browse to the ZEMAX installation folder, and find the file sntlconfig.xml.bak. Rename it to sntlconfig.xml, and then open it in Notepad. Add the IP address of the keyserver machine between the ContactServer tags, and save the file.
3. Now start ZEMAX. You will need a normal, standalone key plugged into the machine. Remember, this should be a working ZEMAX installation before you run these tests! ZEMAX will start up, and detect your standalone key normally. Then click on Tools...Miscellaneous...Test Network License Server, and press its Start button. You should see:
The bottom line should show the IP address of the keyserver machine, which should be the only text between the ContactServer tags of the sntlconfig.zml file. The above message shows that ZEMAX was able to successfully connect to the keyserver machine, but as no network key was plugged in no license was available. This shows that everything is working, and all you need is a network key plugged into the keyserver machine!
The same test will of course work with a key server that does have a network key attached, and it will show that licenses are available, unless all available licenses are in use by other people.
If you get the message 'Unable to Contact Key Server' then some firewall (either hardware of software) is preventing ZEMAX from connecting to the keyserver on ports 7001 and 7002. Contact your network administrator to resolve this problem.
First of all, read the Knowledge Base article How to Install the Network Licensed Version of ZEMAX. Then follow these simple steps.
1. Install the key driver software on the machine that will be the keyserver machine once you buy the network key. Test it with a browser, as described in the main installation article. You should see the same screen as shown in that article, except that the number of licenses will be shown (correctly) as zero. But you now know the keyserver machine is working properly!
2. Now go to the machine that has ZEMAX installed on it. Use the browser test again. Assuming it passes this test, browse to the ZEMAX installation folder, and find the file sntlconfig.xml.bak. Rename it to sntlconfig.xml, and then open it in Notepad. Add the IP address of the keyserver machine between the ContactServer tags, and save the file.
3. Now start ZEMAX. You will need a normal, standalone key plugged into the machine. Remember, this should be a working ZEMAX installation before you run these tests! ZEMAX will start up, and detect your standalone key normally. Then click on Tools...Miscellaneous...Test Network License Server, and press its Start button. You should see:
The bottom line should show the IP address of the keyserver machine, which should be the only text between the ContactServer tags of the sntlconfig.zml file. The above message shows that ZEMAX was able to successfully connect to the keyserver machine, but as no network key was plugged in no license was available. This shows that everything is working, and all you need is a network key plugged into the keyserver machine!
The same test will of course work with a key server that does have a network key attached, and it will show that licenses are available, unless all available licenses are in use by other people.
If you get the message 'Unable to Contact Key Server' then some firewall (either hardware of software) is preventing ZEMAX from connecting to the keyserver on ports 7001 and 7002. Contact your network administrator to resolve this problem.
