Unable to Communicate With License Server Error in NI VLM

Issue Details

• Whenever I launch the software, when attempting to connect to the license server I get the following message:

• My local licenses in NI License Manager are in evaluation mode or appear as unlicensed. 
• When I open NI License Manager and try to connect to a license server I receive the error below. 

• I was able to connect to the license server but there was no Manage button. Even though the server has assigned a license to me, the icon did not turn green.

Solution

This issue can have multiple causes. Below you'll find suggested solutions, the following suggestions may also be used on FlexNET servers:

The client machine is not on the Server's Network

• You must make sure the client machine's connected to the same Network the server's in. If the client lost network connection, make sure to reconnect the machine.
• If your client machine is not meant to connect to the network you may consider using a Disconnected License
• If you plan on connecting to the server using a different network you may follow this guide.

The client machine is not pointing to the Server correctly:

• On NI License Manager click on the top left corner and then click on "Manage Volume License Servers"
• Enter the Server Name and Port Number following the desired format SERVER_NAME:PORT_NUMBER and click ok.

The server's port number must match the exact Main Licensing Port VLM was configured with.
 

Potential Server compatibility issues

• Both NI License Manager and VLM must be compatible with each other, for additional compatibility details, visit this site.
• If you have an outdated NI License Manager version, you may upgrade your client version to next compatible release. 
• If VLM is out of date then you may also upgrade it, following the official VLM Upgrade Guide. 

The Server's using an outdated License File

• When trying to activate a newer version of NI Software that is not included in your license file you will receive an error "Unable to connect to the Server".
• Please determine that you are using an updated license file, in case you aren't you may request a new license file.

NI provides its customers with new license files in an email at the time of releasing a new software version. Software Administrators may install said files to their server when these are sent to them.

The license server may be down

• Ensure that the server computer is on and that the license server is running.
• If the server's stopped, make sure to restart it. If the server cannot be restarted, try rebooting the server machine.
• If the issue persists, you may check the following guide to learn how to make the server run again.

When performing any change to the VLM Server, the "Apply Changes" button would highlight itself, make sure to click the button to save all pending changes.

The client may not be on the same domain as the license server

• This error might occur if the client computer is connected to a license server that is on a different domain than the client computer.
• To resolve this, add the server's domain to the client computer's DNS settings. To do this, complete these steps on the client's computer to verify the domain.

Network issues and potential firewall blocks

• If none of the suggestions above help you resolve the communication issue, this could tie to a potential Network Infrastructure issue, please see the Volume License Manager Troubleshooting Guide.