Software License Troubleshooting

Our flexible subscription model increases the benefits of our software. Because the software license key (SL key) can be placed anywhere on a network, the software can be used by those who need it on any computer in the network. Occasional issues do appear, however, so this article aims to walk you through those issues and their solutions.

Software is running in Demo mode

Check to be sure that your subscription has not expired. Access the CEI Portal and click on My Software Licenses. Green flags indicate current licenses, yellow flags indicate SL keys that will expire soon, and red flags indicate SL keys that have expired. If your SL key has expired, you may click the link at the bottom of the Portal and visit the CEI online store, or you may email our sales department to purchase a new SL key.

Only part of the software is available/working

If your company has an unequal number of SL keys to certain modules, some users may find themselves operating in a partial demo mode. For example, if you have two SL keys for DesignCalcs Basic but only one SL key for the Skirt Module, the first user to launch the program will use a SL key for DesignCalcs Basic and the SL key for the Skirt Module. The second user will only have access to the DesignCalcs Basic SL key, so the Skirt Module will operate in Demo mode.

To remedy this situation, both users should exit the program and the user that needs the Skirt Module SL key should then launch the software first.

Software was working when launched but is now in Demo mode/not working

Check the CEI Portal to make sure your subscription has not expired. If your SL key is still valid, it may have timed out. If the software is launched but not used for an extended period of time, the SL key will be released back to the key so others may access it. Close and reopen the software to obtain another SL key.

SL key is plugged in locally but no subscriptions are visible 

If your SL key is plugged into your physical machine and no licenses are visible in the CEI Portal, you may need to install the HASP™ drivers. Visit SafeNet’s web site and navigate to Support > Sentinel Drivers and Downloads, or search for “Drivers.” 

Download and install the appropriate drivers for your operating system and version. After installing the drivers, reboot your system if necessary.

SL key is plugged in locally but a "404" error appears when accessing the HASP™ Admin Control Center

If your SL key is plugged into your physical machine and your browser returns a "404" (page not found) error when you click the Sentinel HASP Admin Control Center button in the CEI Portal, you may need to install the HASP drivers. Follow the instructions above to do so.

Advanced Troubleshooting - HASP™ ACC Configuration & Firewalls

The primary functionality available within the ACC is the configuration of access to CEI's Flex License Keys. By default, the keys will "broadcast" SL keys to all systems on a network so any system on that network with CEI software and the Sentinel HASP driver installed will be capable of using the SL keys. In a large network with multiple sub-networks or in the case of users remote accessing the network, additional configuration may be necessary.

Click the Sentinel HASP™ Admin Control Center (ACC) button at the bottom of the CEI Portal; on the page that loads, select Configuration from the Administration Options.

To connect to a license on another machine, select the Access to Remote License Managers tab. "Allow Access to Remote Licenses" and "Broadcast Search for Remote Licenses" should be selected. Select "Aggressive Search for Remote Licenses" to allow access to SL keys blocked by firewalls.

Enter the IP address of the system which has the physical key plugged into it. Press Enter and then type the machine name of that computer. Once the desired changes have been made, click Submit.

Hardware and software firewalls should be checked to verify that Port 1947 is open and accessible as well.