Set Up V-Ray as a Floating License on Your Network

Set Up V-Ray as a Floating License on Your Network

How it Works

The principle is the same as a normal V-Ray installation but when V-Ray looks for a license, it must look for a machine on the network with a designated IP address 

Standard Installation
PC/Mac <=> V-Ray License Server Software <=> V-Ray (all on same machine)

Network / Floating Installation
PC/Mac (acting as server) <=> V-Ray License Server Software <=NETWORK => V-Ray (on any machine on the same network)

 

If you use a dongle, this should be set up on the machine you want to act as your licence server. If you use online licensing, you still need to designate one machine as the licence server but rather than installing the dongle on this machine, you would log in to your V-Ray account through online licensing.

 

Set-Up

Using the normal V-Ray installer, install all elements on the machines where V-Ray is to be used. If the server machine will also be used as a workstation, install everything. (Refer to normal V-Ray installation.) 

If the server machine will only be serving the license, install everything apart from V-Ray itself (so.. Wibu drivers [for dongles], V-Ray License Server and startup items/processes). 

On the client/workstation machines, there is a licence utility which needs to be configured. This tells V-Ray where to look for the license. On a standalone install, it just looks on the same machine (localhost). For network setups, it needs to be given the IP address of the server machine. 

On the Server Machine
Verify the license server is available by visiting: http://localhost:30304 in your web browser. (See: Understanding the V-Ray Licence Server.)

Set the IP of the License Server Machine on the Workstation

Windows:
Windows Start > All Programs > Chaos Group > V-Ray for SketchUp > Change V-Ray license settings

Mac:

Run the  setvrlservice  program from the /Applications/ChaosGroup/V-Ray/[host app]/bin/   directory, e.g:

/Applications/ChaosGroup/V-Ray/SketchUp/bin/ sudo setvrlservice -server= [server name or IP] -port=30304

 

More information on licence changes is available on the Chaos help page.

 

V-Ray License Utility

With the license server running and the workstation set to look up the license from the server across the network, it is then possible to open your modelling application. If a license is free, V-Ray will then be available in your modelling application. 

 

Extra Information

If any part isn't working after the initial install, the first thing to do is reboot that machine. This is a quick fix for lots of issues. The Wibukey dongle and the V-Ray License Server both need certain services to start when the machine boots. They are not always triggered immediately after installation, hence a reboot is often necessary.


On a PC, ALWAYS INSTALL AS ADMINISTRATOR. Most software cannot fully install without admin priviliges but may not show an error when installing.

 

Ports to Keep Open

30304
80

 

Private & Public IP Addresses

The license server can also be made available on a public IP, though a knowledge of port-forwarding and firewall settings by the network/router administrator is required. 


    • Related Articles

    • V-Ray License Server - Online Licensing Not Working

      When accessing the V-Ray Online License Server (OLS) at http://localhost:30304/, you will see an orange light next to 'Online Licensing' if it isn't working correctly. To fix this, first check that the computer you are using is connected to the ...
    • Upgrading SketchUp Network License to SketchUp Pro 2019

      If you are a SketchUp Pro 2018 Network License user with an active Maintenance & Support plan, your license will be automatically upgraded to SketchUp 2019. Please see below for the process your license will go through: FIRSTLY - Your SketchUp Pro ...
    • Install the Standalone V-Ray License Server

      If you're having trouble getting the V-Ray license server to run, it's worth installing the standalone license server. This is particularly relevant for Mac users. Log in to your Chaos account, go to: Downloads > License Server, select the ...
    • Keyshot Floating License

      Keyshot floating licences require additional information to complete the licensing process. Download details and serials are provided with any purchase; however, to complete the licensing process we need the MAC address and computer name of the ...
    • Failed to checkout V-Ray GUI license

      This is a common V-Ray error that is usually simple to resolve. What does it mean? V-Ray is not able to connect to the Chaos License Server to verify your details. If your software cannot find a valid licence, it will not let you render. What should ...