Offsite access to ABAQUS License Server

This deals with installing ABAQUS (while connected to the departmental network) and subsequently accessing the ABAQUS License server from Computers in College rooms and Home Computers (even if not connected to the Cambridge University Network but connected to the internet with broadband).
For computers running Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS and Linux.
Strictly for Members of the Cambridge University Engineering Department as it requires a valid UseriD and password.

Procedure

The steps involved are listed below :

Installing the appropriate version of ABAQUS from a mapped drive (from within the department)
Establishing a connection to the CUED Computing system using secure shell.
Starting ABAQUS from remote Location (College rooms and Homes)

The first step has to be carried out before being able to use it from college. This would require the computer to be brought to the department so only suitable for laptops. It is currently not possible to install ABAQUS remotely. This is being investigated as this is possible from other departments (Chemical Engineering, Dept of Earth Sciences). The step 2 is then carried out from the remote location.

Installing ABAQUS

ABAQUS Installation Instructions

Setting up a Secure Shell connection

The information presented here is based on the following web page : Offsite access to Remote Desktop (Windows PC).
The steps given in the above web page is essentially the same as for logging into the CUED Teaching System except for the SSH tunnelling commands. Therefore follow the instructions given in the above page upto logging into the Teaching System, with the following exception :
Instead of the tunnel entry :

3389 mypc.eng.cam.pc:3389

use the following ssh tunnel settings :

27000 abaqus-lmserv.eng.cam.ac.uk:27000
20000 abaqus-lmserv.eng.cam.ac.uk:20000

Once you have established the SSH connection you can minimise the PuTTY window.

Starting ABAQUS from Remote Location

First you need to change the license server details for remote access.
Find the file abaqus_v6.env in the ABAQUS installation directory. If the default directory name is used it will be in the the following directory : C:\SIMULIA\ABAQUS\6.11-1\site
Open the abaqus_v6.env file using notepad. Find the line containing ABAQUS_LMSERV and change it to ABAQUS_LMSERV="27000@localhost" and update the file. Once secure shell connection has been established and you have logged into gate start the ABAQUS program.
START -> All Programs -> ABAQUS 6.11-1 -> ABAQUS CAE
If you get an error message then report this problem with screen dump of the error message.
In a DOS window (DOS prompt) type : nestat -a > netstat.dat
and include this in the email.
Also include the results of ping and telnet.

ping localhost

telnet localhost 27000

Troubleshooting

If you get a licensing error message or a Winsock error message then the ssh tunnels are not set up correctly (Action : check back all the previous steps for typos etc.)
If you get a Flexlm error like : -96, 147. If you get this and after checking the previous steps for any errors look at the license files listed with the error message.

Report Problems

If you run into any problems email a description of it to pc-support@eng.cam.ac.uk .
Include screen dump of any error message.

Last updated: 4 September 2011

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