ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE Automation – Part 2 of 2

In Part 1 of this blog post, we learned how to create a VBScript file to automatically create and set the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE environment variable.  Next, we’ll go over how to setup and run this script.

Before we begin, I’m assuming that your network uses Windows Server Domain Controllers with Active Directory to control users, shares, permissions, access, etc.  If that’s not the case, you can stop here.  You should also consult with your IT staff if you are not an administrator for your Windows Server.

Firstly, you need to copy or move the adsk_lm.vbs file to the NETLOGON share on your windows server.  Assuming your server is named SERVER, this location would be \\SERVER\NETLOGON.

Secondly, you need to edit each user in Active Directory Users and Computers on your Windows Server.  Set the logon script for the user to the adsk_lm.vbs script file:

That’s it!  When the user logs onto his computer, the adsk_lm.vbs script will run.  Simple, right?

The logon script text box above will accept VBScript files (*.vbs) and batch files (*.bat).  You might already have a batch file set in the Logon script text box above.  If this is the case, you obviously will not want to replace it (it probably does some other very important things).  In this case, you can edit the batch file to run the VBScript file.  Assuming the batch file is also located at \\SERVER\NETLOGON, you can add the following line to the batch file:

wscript %0\..\adsk_lm.vbs

This command in the batch file will now run the VBScript file in addition to the other tasks already setup in the file.

In summary, changes to your Autodesk license management scheme may require changes to the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE environment variable on all users’ computers.  This post demonstrated how to automatically add or edit this variable using VBScript and Windows Active Directory.