If you have a network license and need to work offline, you can borrow a license for a specified span of time (the borrowing duration). You must be on the network when you borrow and return the license. Borrowing a license reduces the number of available licenses in the pool.
A borrowed license is tied to the MAC address (the 12-character host ID) of the network adapter used when you borrowed the license. If a computer is connected to a docking station, consider whether you will use it after borrowing the license. If not, undock the laptop first and then reconnect to the network to borrow the license.
To borrow a license
- Open the Borrow A License window in one of the following ways:
- Click Tools > License Borrowing > Borrow License.
- Click Help > About > Manage License .
- In the Borrow A License window, select a da y from the calendar. The license is automatically returned at the end of th at day, or you can return the license early.
- Click Borrow License.
- Click Close in the confirmation window.
Make sure that your network card remains active, and don’t change the sign-in credentials for end-user computers. Because some computers disable the network card in power save mode, you may need to disable the power save setting.
To check the expiration date of a license
- In the status tray, right-click the License Borrowing icon.
- In the Help menu, click About > Manage License. In the License Manager dialog, view the Subject to License Term date.
To return a license early
- Click Tools > License Borrowing > Return License Early.
- Click Help > About. In the About window, click Product License Information. In the Product License Information window, click Return License, and then Yes.
- Enter RETURNLICENSE on the command line.
- In the status tray, right-click the License Borrowing icon. Click Return License Early.
Note: If your product supports this method, the status tray display settings must be on. Right-click an empty area on the status bar and click Tray Settings.
Configure borrowing options
Use an options file to configure the following borrowing choices:
- Reduce the time span (the borrowing duration).
Note: Autodesk doesn’t allow license borrowing for more than six months.
- Restrict the number of licenses that can be borrowed.
- Select which users can borrow licenses.