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Licensing Installation

The document provides detailed instructions on licensing and installation for SigmaNEST software, including system components, license server setup, and various installation types. It outlines the requirements for a license server, the process for moving a license server, and how to install post processors. Additionally, it discusses different setup configurations such as server/workstation, single-system, and multi-server installations to optimize the use of SigmaNEST in different environments.

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Aleksandar Bajic
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
245 views48 pages

Licensing Installation

The document provides detailed instructions on licensing and installation for SigmaNEST software, including system components, license server setup, and various installation types. It outlines the requirements for a license server, the process for moving a license server, and how to install post processors. Additionally, it discusses different setup configurations such as server/workstation, single-system, and multi-server installations to optimize the use of SigmaNEST in different environments.

Uploaded by

Aleksandar Bajic
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 48

Licensing & Installation

Licensing & Installation

Contents
System Components 1
License Server 2
License Server Installation 3
SigmaNEST License Server Web Interface 5
Moving a License Server 6
Post Processors 8
Setup Types 9
Server/Workstation Setup 9
Single-System Setup 10
Multi-Server/Workstation Setup 10
System Requirements 11
Licensing 13
License Types 14
Named vs. concurrent licenses 14
Roaming a license 15
License Transfer Utility 16
License Activation 18
Test License Server Connection 18
Activate License Server 18
Activate SigmaNEST Product Licenses 19
Connect the SigmaNEST Product to the License Server 19
License Manager 21
View or modify host and port information 21
Change SigmaNEST product and/or add-ons 21
Release a concurrent license 22
Roaming a license 22
Demo Mode 23
Licensing & Installation

Installation 24
First-time Installation 25
Upgrade Installation 26
Back up the SNData folder 26
Back up the SQL database 26
Parallel Upgrade 27
Standard Upgrade 29
Database/SNData Installation 30
SigmaNEST Installation 32
Custom Installation 35
Resources 38
Technical Support 39
Other Support & Training 40
Training Classes 40
Webinars 40
Knowledge Base 40
Help Center 40
Software Maintenance Plan 41
Advantage Support 41
FAQs/Troubleshooting 42
Licensing & Installation | 1

System Components
There are a number of different components required to run SigmaNEST software:

1. The SigmaNEST software application is stored in a folder on each workstation. The default path is
C:\Program Files\SigmaTEK\{SigmaNEST product}{version}, but you can change this destination
during the installation process. (For more information about our product offerings, see sigmanest.com.)

2. Your company’s license server is a computer or server on your network (intranet) that maintains your
company’s licenses. When you open any SigmaNEST product, the application contacts your license server
to retrieve a license. Your license server communicates with the SigmaNEST licensing system. (See
License Server (page 2) for more information.)

3. Valid, active software licenses are issued by the SigmaNEST licensing system. (See License Types (page
14) for more information on available licenses.)

4. The SNData folder is a Windows file folder that is shared among all users at your company, and contains
data such as post processors, part files, and shapes. (See Database/SNData Installation (page 30) for
more information.)
n Post Processors are unique script files that communicate information about applied toolpaths from
the software program to your machine. They are stored in the SNData folder. (See Post Processors
(page 8) for more information.)

5. Microsoft SQL Server is a database platform used to manage data such as material, quotes, and work
orders. Our database requires Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (64-bit) or higher. You can install the SQL server
during installation of SigmaNEST software applications, or use an existing installation of this version or
higher.

In a simple, single-user setup, all of these components can be installed on one computer. In more complicated
installations, each component could be on separate servers or computers. See Setup Types (page 9) for more
information.
Licensing & Installation | 2

License Server
Your company’s license server is a computer or server on your network that maintains your company’s
licenses. When you open any SigmaNEST product, the application contacts your license server to retrieve a
license. Although you do not need an internet connection to run the software, your company’s license server
must have a persistent internet connection to communicate with the SigmaNEST licensing system.

Note: If you are a defense contractor or other facility with stringent security restrictions that will not
allow an internet connection on your network, contact your SigmaNEST sales representative for
information on offline licensing. This option is available only for extreme circumstances in which there
are such security limitations.

You can activate, view, assign, reassign, and revoke licenses as needed on your company’s license server using
the License Manager from within the software applications.

See License Server Installation (page 3) for information on installing and setting up your license server.
Licensing & Installation | 3

License Server Installation


SigmaNEST applications run on software licenses managed by a license server, which can be located on any
computer or server on your company’s network (intranet). See License Server (page 2) for more information.

To install and set up your license server:

1. Double-click LicenseServer.exe from the Tools > License Server folder in the SigmaNEST package or
latest License Server file you downloaded from the SigmaTEK Connect site. This launches the InstallAware
Wizard.

Note: Alternately, you can install the License Server from the SigmaNEST App Installer that opens when
you run AppInstaller.exe.

2. Select the language for the installation. Click OK.


Licensing & Installation | 4

3. Select which products to install. Click Next.

Note: You only need to install the License Transfer Utility if you will be converting from a SIM to a
soft license. See License Transfer Utility (page 16) for more information.

4. Choose where the license server executable file will be installed (a shortcut will be placed on your desktop
during installation, regardless of where the executable is located). The default path is C:\Program
Files\SigmaTEK\License Manager.

5. (Optional) Add a Binding Name, or modify the Port number, if needed. The default port is 5055.

Note: Most users do not need to add a binding name or modify the port number. Before modifying
these settings, we strongly recommend you first consult with your IT administrator and the
Technical Support (page 39) team.

6. Click Next to confirm your selections.

7. Click Next to begin the installation and setup.

8. Click Finish to close the wizard after installation is complete.

See License Activation (page 18) for information on activating the server and corresponding product licenses.
Licensing & Installation | 5

SigmaNEST License Server Web Interface


The license server web interface includes six tabs.

Note: If your interface includes fewer than six tabs, you may be using an older version of the license
server. Download the latest version from the SigmaTEK Connect website.

n View Status displays read-only information about your server. You also can deactivate your license
server here, if you need to move it to a different computer. See Moving a License Server (page 6) to learn
more.

n View Licenses displays information about all of your licenses.

o Latest Version is the most recent software build date for which the license is valid. For example, a
license with the Latest Version of 2018.11 is valid for all software versions release in November 2018
and earlier.
o Pool is a unique ID number assigned to the license.
o Expires is the date the license will expire if it is not a permanent license.
o Seats is the total number of licenses active on your license server.

Seats = Used licenses + Available licenses

Seats = Concurrent licenses + Named licenses + Unnamed licenses

See License Types (page 14) for more specific information about the types of licenses.

n View Usage displays all your company’s licenses and to whom they have been checked out or assigned.
You also can revoke licenses here. See Force returning a license to learn more.
n Activate Licenses allows you to activate new license keys that have been issued by SigmaNEST or
generated using the License Transfer Utility (page 16).
n Utilities contains troubleshooting and diagnostic functions.

o Restart will restart the license server service. This is often the first step when troubleshooting any
license issue.
o Recover my License Files allows you to enter license keys and recover licenses that have already
been activated.
o Diagnostics produces a log file that can be used by SigmaNEST Technical Support or your IT
department for troubleshooting.
o Connection Test tests the connection between your company’s license server and SigmaNEST’s
licensing system. A failed test indicates a connection issue that can cause license interruptions or
license activation failures.
n Configuration allows you to check for license keys that have been issued by SigmaNEST but have not yet
been activated on the license server.
Licensing & Installation | 6

Moving a License Server


You can move your company’s license server from one computer or server to another, but you must first
deactivate it on the current computer or server, and then install and reactivate it on the new computer or
server. Finally, you will need to move the individual product licenses to the new server.

Deactivate the license server

1. From the computer or server on which you have installed your license server, double-click the
SigmaNEST License Server desktop icon to open the license server web interface in your browser.

Tip: If this icon does not appear on the desktop, open the computer’s Internet Information Services
(IIS) Manager, expand the computer name, and click Sites. Then right-click SigmaNEST License
Manager and select Manage Website > Browse. You also can access the license server web
interface by navigating to localhost:5055 in a web browser.

Note: To access the license server web interface from a networked computer on which the license
server is not installed, open a web browser and navigate to {name of computer hosting the
license server}:5055.

2. Click View Status from the left-side toolbar.

3. Click Deactivate.

4. Click OK to confirm.

Install the license server on the new computer or server

See License Server Installation (page 3) for information on installing the license server on the new computer or
server.

Reactivate the license server

You can now use the same server license key to activate the new license server. See License Activation (page
18) for information.

Move product licenses to the new server

There are two ways to move your individual product licenses to the new server:

If you have the original product activation keys:

1. From the new computer or server on which you have installed your license server, double-click the
SigmaNEST License Server desktop icon to open the license server web interface in your browser.

2. Click Utilities from the left-side toolbar.

3. Click Recover my license keys.


Licensing & Installation | 7

4. Cut and paste the license activation keys into the text field.

5. Click Next.

If you do not have the original product activation keys:

1. On the original computer or server, navigate to the SigmaNEST installation folder, usually C:\Program
Files\SigmaTEK\License Manager\Service.

2. Locate the files in this folder that match the pattern “sigmatek0*.lic,” where “*” is the wild card character.

3. Copy these files to the corresponding location on the new computer or server.

Note: Obviously, you must first install the license server on the new computer or server.

4. From the new computer or server, double-click the SigmaNEST License Server desktop icon to open the
license server web interface in your browser.

5. Select Utilities from the left-side toolbar.

6. Select Reread to load the licenses.


Licensing & Installation | 8

Post Processors
Every machine on the shop floor requires a unique post processor file that you will receive from SigmaNEST
after you purchase our software. (Contact Technical Support (page 39) if you did not receive post processor
files or you need additional assistance.)

Note: We use SigmaNEST, our flagship product, as an example here, but the same processes apply for
any of our software applications.

To install a new post processor in SigmaNEST:


1. Open SigmaNEST.

2. Click the arrow to the right of File Manager on the Tools Help tab and select Post Folder to open it in
Windows File Explorer.

3. Copy and paste the .zip file(s) you received from SigmaNEST into this folder, then unzip and extract the
files into the same folder.

4. Click Configuration from the Tools Help tab in SigmaNEST.

5. Select the Machine tab, and click New.

6. Select the file you just extracted from the Post list, as well as the associated Cost file.

7. (Optional) Add the machine to a Machine Group with other machines of the same type and process.

8. Click OK to save the machine to your list.

9. Repeat this process to add additional machines.

To install an updated post processor in SigmaNEST:


1. Open SigmaNEST.

2. Click the arrow to the right of File Manager on the Tools Help tab and select Post Folder to open it in
Windows File Explorer.

3. Create a backup folder in the Post Folder, and copy the contents of the Post Folder into this backup
folder.

4. Copy and paste the .zip file(s) you received from SigmaNEST into the Post Folder, then unzip and extract
the files into the same folder.

5. Click the arrow under Configuration from the Tools Help tab in SigmaNEST, and select Reload
Configuration.
Licensing & Installation | 9

Setup Types
There are several ways you can set up a SigmaNEST software solution in your facility. Most commonly, the
database server and shared data files are on the same computer as the license server, however these
functions can be separated. We do not recommend combining all three of these functions on a single
computer.

Below are the three most common ways to set up our software in your facility. We use SigmaNEST, our flagship
product, as an example here, but the same structure applies for any of our software applications. This is not
intended to be a comprehensive list, but it may help you determine how to best implement SigmaNEST in your
environment. If you have additional questions or are unsure about which setup is best for you, please contact
Technical Support (page 39).

n Server/Workstation Setup (most common and recommended)


n Single-System Setup
n Multi-Server/Workstation Setup

Server/Workstation Setup
If you have multiple workstations running SigmaNEST, you may want to store your license server, SNData
folder, and SQL database in a central location, such as a local server, and install the software application on the
workstations. This allows the information in the SNData folder and database to be shared by all SigmaNEST
users. In this setup, only the server requires an internet connection (because it hosts the license server). The
workstations only require a LAN connection so that SigmaNEST can “check out” licenses from the server.
Licensing & Installation | 10

Single-System Setup
If you have only one seat of SigmaNEST, you could install SigmaNEST and all its components on a single
computer. This computer would require an Internet connection so that your license server can communicate
with the SigmaNEST license server. However, we do not recommend putting your license server on a
workstation computer, since that workstation would then have to contact the SigmaNEST server each night
and therefore could not be turned off. (See License Server (page 2) for more information.)

Multi-Server/Workstation Setup
More complex setups also are possible. Say you want to share data between users, but you do not want to
store that data on a server with an Internet connection. In such a scenario, you might put the license server on
a local server with Internet access, then connect it via LAN to other servers and workstations on your network.
You also can set up multiple license servers, if necessary.
Licensing & Installation | 11

System Requirements
In addition to running on a computer workstation, SigmaNEST products generally access computers for three
different functions: to access an SQL database server, to access shared data files, and to access a license
server. Most commonly, the database server and shared data files are on the same computer as the license
server (although these can be separated). In smaller shops with one or two seats of software, these functions
are sometimes all combined on one computer (although this is not recommended). See System Setups for
more information about choosing the best configuration for your facility.

Below are the minimum and recommended hardware configurations needed to run the latest SigmaNEST suite
of software products. All specifications assume that the SigmaNEST software solution is the primary product
used on the computer on which it is installed. If you run other demanding applications on the same computer,
you should adjust these requirements accordingly.

The information presented here is intended as a guideline; a wide variety of systems and configurations are
available, so you should test your setup to ensure it works with the software. Contact Technical Support (page
39) or your local sales representative for additional help.

Workstations running the SigmaNEST Software Solutions

Minimum Recommended

64-bit Operating System Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 10 Pro

RAM 4+ GB 8+ GB

CPU Dual-core processor Quad-core processor

Video Card Integrated chip set: Open GL version 4.0 Dedicated graphics card

Hard Disk SATA: 256+ GB storage SSD: 512+ GB storage

Network High-speed Internet and LAN High-speed Internet and LAN

Monitor 1280 x 1024 1920 x 1080 dual monitors


Licensing & Installation | 12

Computers hosting the SQL Database Server and Shared Data Files

Minimum Recommended

64-bit Operating Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows Server 2012 Windows 10 Pro or Windows Server
System R2 2016

RAM 8 GB 8+ GB

CPU Dual-core processor Quad-core processor

Hard Disk SATA: 256+ GB storage SSD: 512+ GB storage

Network High-speed Internet and LAN High-speed Internet and LAN

Computers hosting the License Server

Minimum Recommended

64-bit Operating System Windows 8.1 Pro Windows 10 Pro

RAM 2+ GB 4+ GB

Hard Disk SATA: 256+ GB storage SSD: 512+ GB storage

Network High-speed Internet and LAN High-speed Internet and LAN

Monitor 1280 x 1024 1920 x 1080

*Requirements may be greater for servers supporting more than 10 workstations.


Licensing & Installation | 13

Licensing
To use any SigmaNEST product, you need a valid, active software license.

What is a software license?


SigmaNEST X1.5 and later access licenses via network connection rather than a physical SIM key; this is
sometimes referred to as “soft licensing.” Soft licensing grants a user or company permission to use our
software by connecting to our license database and verifying that the use is authorized. Licenses are managed
by license servers via your company’s network (intranet) and, typically, an Internet connection.

Older versions of SigmaNEST (X1.4 SP3 and older) cannot work with this soft licensing method. We understand
that you likely will want to test a newer version before upgrading the older version you use in production. For
this reason, we provide a utility in the SigmaNEST installation download that will generate temporary software
license key. This allows you to test your exact SigmaNEST modules in the new version for 90 calendar days
without affecting your older production version. After 90 days, you can permanently convert your SIM keys to
software licenses and upgrade all your seats of SigmaNEST. If you require a longer testing period or a
transition period where multiple versions of SigmaNEST will be running, please contact Technical Support
(page 39).

See License Transfer Utility (page 16) for more information on converting a license from a SIM (HASP dongle) to
a software license.

How does software licensing work?


There are three basic components to SigmaNEST licensing:

n Our licensing system handles license activation and communicates with your company’s license server.
n Your company’s license server maintains all of the SigmaNEST product licenses your company has
purchased. This can be any computer or server on your internal network (intranet). It must have a
persistent Internet connection to communicate with the SigmaNEST licensing system.
n Your seat of any SigmaNEST application requests a license from your license server when you launch
the application. If a license is available, it is “checked out” and the application opens.

Do I always need an internet connection to open a SigmaNEST application?


No, SigmaNEST software itself does not require an internet connection to open. However, your seat of the
software must be able to communicate with your company’s license server, and this requires a network
(intranet) connection. Your company’s license server must then be able to communicate with the SigmaNEST
licensing system, and this does require an internet connection. So, if your company’s license server and the
software application are on the same computer, an internet connection is required, since the computer is also
functioning as a license server. See Setup Types (page 9) for more information about how SigmaNEST software
may be set up in a facility.

It also is possible to “roam” a seat of the software without a network connection for as long as 30 days. See
License Manager (page 21) for more information about roaming a license.
Licensing & Installation | 14

License Types
We currently offer two main types of licenses: named licenses (the default type) and concurrent licenses
(available for an additional fee).

Named vs. concurrent licenses


n A named license is assigned to a specific Windows user. It is always available to that user, unless an
administrator manually transfers the license to another user. It cannot be reassigned to the original user
for at least 12 hours.

Note: This is a single-user license that allows for situations where the primary programmer is out
for the day or on vacation. It is not intended to be shared regularly between users.

If you currently have one or more green SIMs, those licenses will be converted to named licenses when
you upgrade.

n A concurrent license (sometimes called a “floating license”) may be used by any Windows user who
requests it, as long as it is not currently in use. There is no waiting period after “returning” a concurrent
license. See License Manager for information on returning a concurrent license.

If you currently have one or more red SIMs, those licenses will be converted to concurrent licenses when
you upgrade.

Which license type is right for me?


n If you own a seat of SigmaNEST or another SigmaNEST application for every Windows user at your
company, we recommend named licenses. You then can assign a specific seat to each user,
guaranteeing that a license always is available to each of them.
n If you have more Windows users than seats of the application, we recommend concurrent licenses.
Concurrent licenses are not assigned to specific users, so any user can log in as long as there is an
available license. If all of your company’s licenses are in use, one user must log off before a new user can
log in.
n To guarantee that one or two of your lead programmers will always have a license available to them, but
allow the rest of your licenses to be shared as needed among other users, we recommend using a
combination of named and concurrent licenses.
n Licenses for individual modules also can be designated as named or concurrent. For example, if you have
a primary bevel programmer, he or she can be assigned a named license for the bevel module, while all
other licenses remain concurrent.
Licensing & Installation | 15

Roaming a license
Normally, the SigmaNEST application must validate your license against your license server in order to run,
which requires a network (intranet) connection. However, you can choose to roam either a named or
concurrent license to use your seat of the software without a network connection for as long as 30 days.

Roaming is enabled in the License Manager from within the software applications, after initial setup is
complete.

Warning: If roaming is enabled, your license will be unavailable to other users throughout the roaming
period. Whether or not the software application is currently open, your license will be considered “in use”
and cannot be used by another user.

See License Manager (page 21) for information on roaming a license.


Licensing & Installation | 16

License Transfer Utility


SigmaNEST X1.5 and later versions access licenses via network connection rather than a physical SIM key. You
can convert a license from a SIM (HASP dongle) to a software license using the License Transfer Utility.

Note: You must convert your SIM to a software license to upgrade beyond SigmaNEST X1.4. For testing
purposes, you can activate a temporary software license for 90 days, which will allow you to use the
SIM for older versions and the software license for the new version. However, once you permanently
convert your SIM license to a software license, you will not be able to run previous, SIM-based
versions without requesting a reprogrammed SIM from SigmaNEST.

If you have questions or encounter problems at any point during the following process, contact Technical
Support (page 39).

1. Run the license server installation on the computer currently hosting your license server (see License
Server Installation (page 3)). If you are currently using a red SIM, your license server most likely will be on
the same computer that the red SIM is plugged into. However, if your SIM is on a different computer, you
also should run the license server installation on that other computer, selecting only the Install License
Transfer Utility option.

Note: Remember, your license server must have a persistent internet connection to communicate
with the SigmaNEST licensing system. See System Components (page 1) for configuration
requirements for a license server.

2. From the computer hosting your SIM, open the Windows Start menu, and click License Transfer Utility.

Tip: If you are moving to a new license server and cannot find the utility, open Windows File
Explorer on the new license server and navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common
Files\SigmaTEK Shared\Licensing, then double-click LicenseTransfer.exe. If your previous and
new license servers are not on the same computer, you may need to copy this executable file from
the new computer to the previous computer.

3. Select the HASP ID for the SIM you want to convert from the list, then click Next.

Tip: If the list is empty, click License Manager to see where your SIM is currently plugged in.

4. A list of all products and modules associated with that SIM is displayed for your reference. This is the
product list that will be used to generate your new license codes. Review it for accuracy, then click Next.

5. A list of all products and modules for which you will receive codes is now displayed. This will not be
formatted exactly the same as the previous list, because modules are no longer grouped under packs.
However, the components should correspond with your purchased products and modules. Review this
list, then click Next.
Licensing & Installation | 17

6. Choose whether you want to activate a temporary 90-day license (for testing purposes) or permanently
convert your SIM to soft a license, then click Next.

Warning: We strongly recommend activating a temporary license and testing the upgraded
product before permanently converting your license. Remember, once you permanently convert
your SIM license to a software license, you will not be able to run previous, SIM-based
versions without requesting a reprogrammed SIM from SigmaNEST.

7. Wait a few seconds for the license key to generate, then save the key to a text file or other location for
future reference.

8. Repeat steps 2-6 for each SIM.

Note: You must save every individual license key, but if you intend to put all your licenses on one
license server, you will only need to use one of the license server keys.

See License Activation (page 18) for information about activating license keys.
Licensing & Installation | 18

License Activation
After you have installed the license server, you must activate both your server and all your SigmaNEST product
licenses.

Test License Server Connection


You can test its connection from the license server web interface. Click Utilities from the menu on the left,
then click Connection Test. Green fields indicate a connection is successful, while red fields indicate a problem
with the connection. Often, the problem is a firewall rule within your company’s network that is blocking the
connection. Contact your IT administrator to resolve this problem.

Activate License Server


1. From the computer or server on which you have installed your license server, double-click the SigmaNEST
License Server desktop icon to open the license server web interface in your browser.

Tip: If this icon does not appear on the desktop, open the computer’s Internet Information Services
(IIS) Manager, expand the computer name, and click Sites. Then right-click SigmaNEST License
Manager and select Manage Website > Browse. You also can access the license server web
interface by navigating to localhost:5055 in a web browser.

Note: To access the license server web interface from a networked computer on which the license
server is not installed, open a web browser and navigate to {name of computer hosting the
license server}:5055.

2. You should have been sent a 16-digit server license key by email from SigmaNEST. (If you are converting
SIM licenses, you should have a server key generated by the License Transfer Utility.) Enter this key in the
license server web interface, and click Activate. If you did not receive this key, contact Technical Support
(page 39).

Note: Even if you are converting multiple SIMs to soft licenses, you only need to activate one license
server.

Tip: If the license server does not activate, see FAQs/Troubleshooting (page 42) for help.

See SigmaNEST License Server Web Interface (page 5) for information on the other actions available in the
license server web interface.
Licensing & Installation | 19

Activate SigmaNEST Product Licenses


You can use the following steps for first-time product activation or to activate any additional keys that you
receive from SigmaNEST in the future.

Note: If you are upgrading from a SIM-based license, you can generate your own product keys using the
License Transfer Utility. Otherwise, you should have received product keys in an email from
SigmaNEST after purchase.

1. Open the SigmaNEST license server web interface in your browser. (See Step 1 above.)

2. From the menu on the left, click Activate Licenses.

3. Enter the 16-digit product activation keys (one key per line).

Tip: If you have multiple keys, you can copy and paste all the keys at once, and they automatically
will be formatted correctly.

4. Click Next to view a list of licenses that will be activated.

5. Review the list, then click Activate. All licenses now are active and available for use.

Tip: If the licenses do not activate, see FAQs/Troubleshooting (page 42) for help.

Connect the SigmaNEST Product to the License Server


After you have installed all SigmaNEST product components and activated your license, you can set up the
software’s connection to the license server.

1. Open the SigmaNEST product from any workstation on your network on which it is installed. The License
Manager opens automatically. (See License Manager (page 21) for more information.)

2. Enter the name of the computer or server hosting the license server in the Host box, and ensure that the
Port is 5053.

3. Click Refresh.

4. SigmaNEST searches your network, connects to your license server, and populates the Product and Add-
on lists.

Note: If no products or add-ons appear, verify that you have selected the correct server and are
connected to it. Contact your IT administrator if you need additional assistance.
Licensing & Installation | 20

5. Choose a Product with an available license, then select available Add-ons as needed.

Tip: If there are no available licenses, you can start the SigmaNEST product in Demo Mode or wait
for a license to become available. If you choose Demo Mode, however, you will not be able to save
anything, post code, or print reports.

6. (Optional) If you plan to disconnect from the network in the future, select Roaming and choose how
often the SigmaNEST product is required to verify your license (you can go as long as 30 calendar days
without connecting to the license server).

Warning: If roaming is enabled, your license will be unavailable to other users throughout the
roaming period. Whether or not the software is currently open, your license will be considered “in
use” and cannot be used by another user.

7. Click OK to open the software application.

Note: If you are trying to open another SigmaNEST product, the License Manager may open again
to prompt you to connect that product to the license server. In that case, repeat steps 2-5.
Licensing & Installation | 21

License Manager
You can use the License Manager to select a SigmaNEST product package, choose add-ons, enable roaming, or
view your licensing information. To open the License Manager from within SigmaNEST, click the arrow under
Configuration from the Tools Help tab, then select License Manager.

View or modify host and port information


After the initial setup, you probably will not need to modify your Host or Port number unless changes are
made to your network. If you do need to modify this information, you can do so here, in the License Manager.

Note: If you change either the host or port, be sure to Refresh the product and add-on list before
clicking OK to close the License Manager.

Change SigmaNEST product and/or add-ons


If your company has purchased different types of licenses or a limited number of add-ons, you can change
license types or enable/disable add-ons from the License Manager.

Products vs. add-ons


n The Product list shows all your SigmaNEST product licenses. See sigmanest.com/packages for more
information on our product offerings.
n The Add-ons list shows any additional modules you have purchased, such as the SOLIDWORKS import
module or HD SuperNest.

Used vs. available licenses


n The number of used licenses equals the number of licenses currently in use at your company plus the
number of roaming licenses.
n The number of available licenses is the total number of licenses purchased by your company less the
number of used licenses.

If the number of available licenses is zero and you have a concurrent license, you must wait until another user
has closed SigmaNEST and release their license before you can check out that license. If you have a named
license, you are guaranteed access to that license regardless of how many licenses are in use.

Note: See License Types (page 14) for more information.


Licensing & Installation | 22

Release a concurrent license


If you have concurrent licenses with a limited number of add-ons, for example, three PowerPack licenses and
one SOLIDWORKS import add-on, you may need to share the SOLIDWORKS license among users. If you have
been using that add-on license, you must release it by clearing the check box in the License Manager before
another user can select it and use it. You will not have access to the disabled add-on until it is released again.

Note: Be sure to Refresh the product and add-on list before clicking OK to close the License Manager.

Note: If you have a named license, specific modules and products are assigned to your license by your
administrator. Disabling add-ons from the License Manager will not make them available to other users.

Roaming a license
Normally, the SigmaNEST application must validate your license against your license server in order to run,
which requires a network (intranet) connection. However, you can choose to roam either a named or
concurrent license to use your seat of the software without a network connection for as long as 30 days. To
roam a license, select Roaming and enter the number of days in the License Manager.

Warning: If roaming is enabled, your license will be unavailable to other users throughout the roaming
period. Whether or not the software application is currently open, your license will be considered “in use”
and cannot be used by another user.

Resetting the roaming period

The roaming period resets every time you connect to your network and the license server is contacted. So, if
you are online for a day, roaming for three days, then back online on the fifth day, the number of roaming
days available resets to the original value that you specified in the License Manager.

Returning a roaming license

After the roaming period has expired, the license automatically will be returned, and you will have to connect
to your license server to re-activate the license. To return a roaming license early, you must connect to your
license server and clear the Roaming check box in the License Manager.

Fixing a “stuck” roaming license

If you have cleared the Roaming check box in the License Manager and disconnected from the license server,
but are still able to open the application in a licensed mode, there may have been an error in the return
process. You can try deleting the Reprise roaming file for the base and add-on licenses in the
C:ProgramData\Reprise folder. These files have no extensions and cannot be modified externally. If you
continue to have problems returning the roaming license, contact Technical Support (page 39).
Licensing & Installation | 23

Demo Mode
You can use Demo Mode to access a SigmaNEST application without a valid license. This is not recommended
unless you are trying out new features, however, because you will not be able to save or export files, print
reports, or post NC code.
Licensing & Installation | 24

Installation
You can download all SigmaTEK products and manage your SigmaNEST account from the SigmaTEK Connect
portal (connect.sigmanest.com).

Follow the steps for First-time Installation (page 25) if you are a new customer, or see Upgrade Installation
(page 26) to learn how to upgrade your existing installations of SigmaNEST products.
Licensing & Installation | 25

First-time Installation

Note: Before you begin any SigmaNEST installation, we recommend you install any pending Windows
updates and restart your system. If Windows updates are left uninstalled, the SigmaNEST installation may
fail.

1. Download the most recent SigmaNEST release package from the SigmaTEK Connect site
(connect.sigmanest.com). Save the .zip file to your computer, then right-click it and select Extract All to
unzip the files.

Note: We recommend installing the current SigmaNEST file, even if you have purchased only
SigmaNEST, to ensure that you get all necessary files, including the latest license server. This file is
very large, however, so if your internet connection is too slow, contact SigmaNEST Technical
Support (page 39) to request a USB containing the software.

2. Install and set up your license server. License Server Installation (page 3).

3. Activate the license server. See License Activation (page 18).

4. Activate your SigmaNEST licenses. See License Activation (page 18).

5. Install the database server and shared data files to a network location. See Database/SNData Installation
(page 30).

6. Install SigmaNEST and/or other SigmaNEST products. See SigmaNEST Installation (page 32).

7. Connect the SigmaNEST products to your license server. See License Activation (page 18).
Licensing & Installation | 26

Upgrade Installation
If you have an existing installation of SigmaNEST, there are two ways you can upgrade to the latest version:

n Parallel upgrade. We recommend a parallel upgrade if you want to test a new version of the software
while you continue running your existing version for production.
n Standard upgrade. After the new version is approved for production and you are ready to upgrade
permanently, you can use the standard upgrade process to overwrite other installations of SigmaNEST.

Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to back up your SNData folder and SQL server first.

Warning: Failure to back up existing SigmaNEST components may result in permanent data loss.

Back up the SNData folder


1. Open SigmaNEST, and click on the Tools Help tab.

2. Click the arrow to the right of File Manger and select SNData Folder to open the SNData location in
Windows File Explorer.

3. Copy the contents of the folder to a new folder.

Back up the SQL database

Note: SigmaNEST automatically performs a database backup during installation, but as an added
precaution, we recommend you also manually back up the database before upgrading.
Licensing & Installation | 27

Parallel Upgrade

Tip: If the following process sounds intimidating, contact Technical Support (page 39) for our install
service pricing!

You can install two versions of SigmaNEST on the same system if you want to test a newly released version
before upgrading to it in production. This is called a “parallel” installation. Before beginning a parallel
installation, copy your current SQL database. (f your original installation was not customized, your database
will be in {INSTANCE}.SIGMANEST and named SNDBase.) Next, follow the steps for a Single-System
Installation in SigmaNEST Installation (page 32), with the following exceptions:

1. Give the Start Menu Group a unique name. For example, if the existing start menu group is named
SigmaNEST, name the new group SigmaNEST21.

2. Give the SNData folder a unique name. For example, if the existing SNData folder is named SNData,
name the new data folder SNData21.

Note: To view the current SNData folder, open SigmaNEST and click the Tools Help tab. Click the
drop-down arrow under File Manager and select SNData Folder.

3. During the SQL database step of the installation, upgrade the copy of the SigmaNEST database you
created in backing up the SNData folder (see Upgrade Installation (page 26)).

Warning: Having both versions of SigmaNEST point to the same database and SNData folder can
result in errors and data loss. Workspaces and parts from the older version can be opened in the
new version, however parts and workspaces from the new version cannot be opened in the older
version.

4. After installation, browse to the location of your old SNData folder and copy all files to your newly created
SNData folder. This process may take several minutes for larger data folders. This will allow you to use
your past parts and other information for testing in the new version.
Licensing & Installation | 28

Transitioning from a parallel upgrade


After the new version of SigmaNEST is approved for production, verify that all data has been copied over to the
new version and uninstall the old version using Add or Remove Programs from the Windows Control Panel:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel and click Uninstall a Program.

2. Select the SigmaNEST version you want to remove and click Uninstall.

3. From the InstallAware Wizard, select Uninstall SigmaNEST and click Next.

4. Click Next to begin the uninstall process. This may take several minutes.

5. Click Finish to complete the uninstall process.

Note: You may need to recopy the SNData folder and SQL database to ensure that up-to-date-production
information is available in the new version.
Licensing & Installation | 29

Standard Upgrade
If you do not want to test a new version of SigmaNEST while you continue running your existing version, or if
you have already tested it on another system, you can simply overwrite your existing version using Live Update
(page 29) (if it is supported for your version) or by following the SigmaNEST Installation (page 32) procedure.

Note: In most cases, you can initiate Live Update from within SigmaNEST to upgrade to the most recent
release. However, if there is a significant gap between your current version of SigmaNEST and the newly
released version, or if Live Update is otherwise not available, you may need to manually download the
installation from the CAMBRIO Connect site and follow the SigmaNEST Installation (page 32) process.

Live Update
Live Update allows you to download and install a newer version of SigmaNEST over the Internet.

Note: Some corporate firewalls may block Live Update from downloading files from the Internet. Contact
your system administrator for assistance if you cannot use Live Update, or manually download the
installation from the CAMBRIO Connect site and follow the SigmaNEST Installation (page 32) process.

To start a Live Update:

1. In SigmaNEST, click Live Update from the Tools Help tab.

2. When prompted, close SigmaNEST and click Retry.

3. The Live Update dialog box opens and displays a list of available updates. (Make sure Show All is
selected.)

Note: If your environment uses a proxy to access the Internet, click Proxy Setup and enter the proxy
information before continuing to step 4.

4. Select the version of SigmaNEST you want to install, then click Install Updates.

5. After the files are downloaded, follow the SigmaNEST Installation (page 32) process as usual to complete
the upgrade.
Licensing & Installation | 30

Database/SNData Installation
Use the following steps to install the SQL database and SNData folder on a system on which you do not also
plan to install SigmaNEST. If you already set up the SQL database and SNData folder when installing
SigmaNEST on this system, you do not need to follow these instructions.

Note: The first six steps in this installation process are identical to those for a new installation of
SigmaNEST, however the remaining steps apply specifically to installing the SQL database and SNData
folder without installing SigmaNEST. This process is applicable with a server/workstation setup or
multi-server/workstation setup, as described in Setup Types (page 9).

1. Log into a Windows account with Admin rights.

2. From the SigmaNEST installation package that you downloaded, run AppInstaller.exe. The SigmaNEST
App Installer window opens.

3. Select SigmaNEST, then click Next.

4. Select your language from the drop-down menu, then click OK to start the Installation Wizard.
Licensing & Installation | 31

5. Read the terms, select I accept the terms of the License Agreement, and then click Next.

6. Enter a Start Menu Group, then click Next.

7. Clear the Install SigmaNEST program files check box, then click Next.

8. If you do not have an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (64-bit) or higher, select Install Microsoft
SQL Server on this computer.

9. Select Create a new SigmaNEST database or upgrade an existing database, then click Next.

10. If you want to install the SNData folder on this system, select Create or upgrade the SNData folder
structure, modify the installation path if needed, and then click Next.

11. Click Next to begin the installation. This step may take several minutes.

12. When the Database Installer opens, select an SQL Server that will host the database, and enter your login
credentials. If you are using a default SigmaNEST SQL instance, the credentials will be pre-populated; if
you are installing an SQL Server in this installation, it should be the default option {computer
name}\SIGMANEST.

13. If you are creating a new database, choose whether the default database units will be Imperial or
Metric, then click New Database. Enter the database name and click OK.

If you are upgrading an existing database, select it from the list. You also can select Delete Orphaned
Data, if desired.

14. Click Create/Upgrade Selected DBs.

15. After the database has been created (or upgraded), click Close.

16. Click Finish to complete the installation.

Note: If you created a new SNData folder, have your IT department share this folder with all SigmaNEST
users and ensure they have read/write/modify permissions.
Licensing & Installation | 32

SigmaNEST Installation
Use the following steps to install SigmaNEST on one or more systems.

Note: If you are upgrading an existing version of SigmaNEST, follow the instructions in the section on
Upgrade Installation first, then return to this section when prompted.

1. Log into a Windows account with Admin rights.

2. From the SigmaNEST installation package that you downloaded, run AppInstaller.exe. The SigmaNEST
App Installer window opens.

3. Click SigmaNEST.

4. Select your language from the drop-down menu, then click OK to start the InstallAware Wizard.

5. Read the terms, select I accept the terms of the License Agreement, and then click Next.

6. Enter a Start Menu Group, then click Next.


Licensing & Installation | 33

7. Select Install SigmaNEST program files, enter an installation path, then click Next.

8. If you do not have an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (64-bit) or higher, and you plan to host the
SQL database on this computer, select Install Microsoft SQL Server on this computer.

9. If you plan to host the SQL database on this computer, also select Create a new SigmaNEST database
or upgrade an existing database.

Note: See Database/SNData Installation (page 30) for information on installing the SQL server and
database on a separate system without SigmaNEST.

10. Click Next.

11. If you want to install the SNData folder on this system, select Create or upgrade the SNData folder
structure, enter an installation path, and then click Next.

Note: See Database/SNData Installation (page 30) for information on installing the SNdata folder on
a separate system without SigmaNEST.

12. Enter the connection information for your license server, and click Next.

Note: If you are unsure about the licensing connection information, you can skip this step, however,
you will then need to provide it later to start SigmaNEST.

13. If you have an existingSigmaNEST or SimTrans installation running on this computer, select Stop
SigmaNEST and SimTrans porcesses for me and click Next.

14. Click Next to begin the installation. This may take several minutes.

15. If a previous version of SigmaNEST is installed on the computer, the Install Upgrade will open. Click
Next to import your old settings to the new installation, or click Close to skip the import and use the
default settings. If you are unsure about this option, click Close. You can always move old settings over to
the new installation at a later time. Also, some old settings can interfere with the operation of a much
newer version of SigmaNEST.
Licensing & Installation | 34

16. If you chose to create or upgrade an SQL database in step 9, the Database Installer will open. Select the
SQL Server that will host the database, and enter your login credentials.

17. If you are creating a new database, choose whether the default database units will be Imperial or
Metric, then click New Database. Enter the database name and click OK.

If you are upgrading an existing database, select it from the list.

18. Click Create/Upgrade Selected DBs.

19. After the database has been created (or upgraded), click Close.

20. Click Finish to complete the installation.


Licensing & Installation | 35

Custom Installation
A custom installation allows you to select which SigmaNEST components to install. Custom installations are
typically used in large environments with multiple servers and computers.

1. Log into a Windows account with Admin rights.

2. From the SigmaNEST installation package that you downloaded, run AppInstaller.exe. The SigmaNEST
App Installer window opens.

3. Click SigmaNEST.

4. Select your language from the drop-down menu, then click OK to start the InstallAware Wizard.

5. Read the terms, select I accept the terms of the License Agreement, and then click Next.

6. Select Custom Install in the lower-left corner of the dialog box.

7. Enter a Start Menu Group, then click Next.

8. If you want to install SigmaNEST, select Install SigmaNEST program files, enter an installation path, and
then click Next.
Licensing & Installation | 36

9. If you do not have an instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2014 (64-bit) or higher, and you plan to host the
SQL database on this computer, select Install Microsoft SQL Server on this computer.

10. If you plan to host the SQL database on this computer, also select Create a new SigmaNEST database
or upgrade an existing database.

Note: See Database/SNData Installation (page 30) for information on installing the SQL server and
database on a separate system without SigmaNEST.

11. Click Next.

12. If you want to install the SNData folder on this system, select Create or upgrade the SNData folder
structure, enter an installation path, and then click Next.

Note: See Database/SNData Installation (page 30) for information on installing the SNdata folder on
a separate system without SigmaNEST.

13. Enter the connection information for your license server, and click Next.

Note: If you are unsure about the licensing connection information, you can skip this step, however,
you will then need to provide it later to start SigmaNEST.

14. Select a features you want to install from the list on the left. A description is displayed in the Feature
description box on the right. The disk space requirements in the box below it change based on your
selection.

15. Click Next to begin the installation. This step may take several minutes.
Licensing & Installation | 37

16. If a previous version of SigmaNEST is installed on the computer, the Install Upgrade will open. Click
Next to import your old settings to the new installation, or click Close to skip the import and use the
default settings.

17. If you chose to create or upgrade an SQL database, the Database Installer will open. Select the
SQL Server that will host the database, and enter your login credentials.

18. If you are creating a new database, choose whether the default database units will be Imperial or
Metric, then click New Database. Enter the database name and click OK.

19. If you are upgrading an existing database, select it from the list.

20. Click Create/Upgrade Selected DBs.

21. After the database has been created (or upgraded), click Close.

22. Click Finish to complete the installation.


Licensing & Installation | 38

Resources
Check out these additional resources for all SigmaNEST products:

n Technical Support (page 39). Contact SigmaNEST’s Technical Support team for additional help.
n Other Support & Training (page 40). See what other resources are available to help you and your
company implement SigmaNEST products.
n FAQs/Troubleshooting (page 42). Check out frequently asked questions and troubleshooting tips.
Licensing & Installation | 39

Technical Support
SigmaNEST’s U.S. Technical Support team is available Monday
through Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST, excluding U.S.
holidays. Support is available to trained users with a current
maintenance plan. To save time, please have your licensing
information and the version number for your SigmaNEST product
ready before calling. You can find this information by going to the
Tools Help tab and clicking About.

n Phone: 513.595.2002

n Email: [email protected] (or


[email protected] for SigmaTUBE or SigmaBEND
users)

Tip: Save even more time by checking out the SigmaNEST Knowledge Base at cambrio.helpjuice.com
before contacting us to look for answers to common questions.
Licensing & Installation | 40

Other Support & Training


We offer a number of resources to help you and your company implement SigmaNEST and other SigmaNEST
applications:

n Hands-on, comprehensive Training Classes conducted by experienced application engineers at our facility
or yours
n Webinars covering a wide variety of products and features
n A large Knowledge Base of more than 100 articles written by expert engineers and developers to help you
get the most out of your software

n Help Centers included in every software installation that provide a complete reference for all features and
capabilities
n A Software Maintenance Plan that includes phone and email support, and access to software upgrades

Training Classes
SigmaNEST offers small, hands-on training classes at our Cincinnati office led by our expert Technical Support
team. The three-day SigmaNEST General Course is designed to introduce new users to the fundamentals of the
software -- from part creation to nesting and NC application to posting and reporting. We also offer advanced
and specialized courses that can be completed in person or online. On-site training at your facility also is
available. Contact your sales representative or SigmaNEST Technical Support (page 39) for more information.

Webinars
The SigmaNEST Support Team offers regular webinars highlighting new features, best practices, and more. To
view the webinar schedule, visit our website at sigmanest.com/webinars.

SigmaNEST regularly hosts webinars highlighting new features, best practices, and how to get the most out of
your software investment. To view the extensive library of past webinars, visit our Knowledge Base. To sign up
for notifications about upcoming webinars, visit our website.

Knowledge Base
The SigmaNEST Knowledge Base is your resource for even more information about our products and services.
It includes detailed articles by SigmaNEST engineers, developers, and other staff, as well as a community
forum where customers and staff can discuss our software. If you need immediate assistance or after-hours
help, this is a great place to look for answers to common questions.

Help Center
The help center included with our software applications is a full reference guide for all features and processes.
To view the help center, click any question mark within the application, or, to get help with a specific feature,
hover your cursor over the toolbar icon and press Ctrl + F1.
Licensing & Installation | 41

Software Maintenance Plan


A one-year maintenance plan is generally included in the cost of any SigmaNEST software purchase. We
recommend you renew this plan after the first year to ensure that your software is always up-to-date and
compatible with the latest CAD programs, ERP systems and Microsoft platforms. Benefits of an active
maintenance plan include:

n Access to downloads of our latest software releases


n Access to SigmaNEST Live Update, which enables you to upgrade to the latest release from within the
application, over the Internet.

n Support from our expert Technical Support team by phone and email
n Ability to report bugs and submit feature requests
n Access to the SigmaNEST customer portal and Community forums

Advantage Support
SigmaNEST’s Advantage Support Agreement offers additional support options above and beyond the standard
maintenance subscription.

n Support from a top-tier SigmaNEST engineer who knows your setup and works with you regularly
n Access to an advantage-only phone line and email address
n Fastest response and resolution time possible
n SigmaNEST maintains documentation of your licenses, methods of use, and operational data
n One major upgrade service every two years
n One scheduled remote upgrade service every year
n Support for customized reports and report templates
n Eight hours of general online training per year
n Complimentary post modifications/enhancements (two hours per year per post)
Licensing & Installation | 42

FAQs/Troubleshooting
How do I contact technical support?
SigmaNEST's U.S. Technical Support team is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM EST,
excluding U.S. holidays. Support is available to trained users with a current maintenance subscription. Please
have your licensing information and the version number of your SigmaNEST product ready before contacting
support.

n Phone: 513.595.2002
n Email: [email protected]

Where can I find my licensing information and version number?


Click Tools Help > About in any SigmaNEST product to view licensing, version, and other important
information.

Can I install SigmaNEST or another SigmaNEST product as a 32-bit program?


If you have a 32-bit operating system, you can only install a 32-bit program. However, beginning with Version
20, we no longer support 32-bit. We recommend Windows 10, 64-bit operating systems for all SigmaNEST
product installations.

Warning: Some post processors must be updated for use with the 64-bit installation. Also, 32-bit plugins
are not compatible with 64-bit and must be recompiled. If you are unsure if your post processors and
plugins are compatible with 64-bit, please contact SigmaNEST’s Technical Support team before
installation.

How do I know if my operating system is 32- or 64-bit?


n Windows 10: Click the Start button, and then select Settings. Click System, and then select the About
tab. View the System type.
n Windows 8: Click the Start button, and then select PC Settings. Click PC and devices, and then select
the PC info tab. View the System type.

How do I renew a license that is about to expire?


Contact SigmaNEST Technical Support to obtain new license codes.

When trying to activate the license server, it appears the key is already in use.
n Click View Status (in the left menu).
n If the Activation Status is Activated, the message was displayed in error and your server is correctly
activated.
n If the status is Deactivated, go to Utilities and click Restart. Then click View Status to re-check the
status.
Licensing & Installation | 43

n If you continue to have problems, contact Technical Support.

A firewall prevents the license server from contacting SigmaNEST.


n Add exceptions to the firewall for each of the SigmaNEST ports (5053, 5054, and 5055).
n Add an exception for activation.sigmanest.com.

The License Manager cannot find the product.


n Verify that the correct server is selected and the product list is populated.
n Ensure that all selected products and add-ons have at least one available license.

n If a product is unavailable, choose a different product or wait for the license to be released.

A license listed as “in use” is not actually in use.


n Open the License Server web interface, and click View Licenses to see if the license is roaming. Roaming
licenses are always considered “checked out,” whether they are actually in use or not.
n To disable roaming, open the SigmaNEST License Manager on the computer using the roaming license,
verify that it is connected to your intranet, and clear the Roaming check box.
n To reset a non-roaming license, open the License Server web interface and click View Usage. In the Force
Return column, Return the license.

The License Manager displays a “No authorization for product” error.


n Close all open instances of SigmaNEST and other SigmaNEST products (ensure that the License Manager
is also closed).
n Go to the location where you installed SigmaNEST and open the IniFiles folder. (The default is
C:\ProgramData\SigmaTEK\{SigmaNEST Version}\IniFiles.) Open the folder for the configuration you
are trying to open, then delete Licenses.ini.

Note: By default, the configuration name is your Windows user name.

n Go to C:\Users\{Windows Username}\AppData\Roaming\SigmaNEST SX and delete


LicensingSettings.xml.
n Restart SigmaNEST, then re-enter the server and product information before clicking OK.

SigmaNEST cannot connect to the database.


n In SigmaNEST, go to Tools Help > Configuration > Database.
n Verify that the correct database and credentials are entered, then Test the connection.
Licensing & Installation | 44

Data is missing after a software upgrade.


n Copy data from the old SNData folder to the new one.
n To find the SNData folder, go to SigmaNEST and select Tools Help > File Manager > SNData.

How do I report a problem with a SigmaNEST product?


1. Restart the software and recreate the conditions that caused the problem.

2. If the problem occurs again, contact Technical Support (page 39). Explain how they can reproduce the
problem, and provide any other required information.

3. The SigmaNEST Support Team will work with you to troubleshoot and resolve the issue, or submit a bug
to our development team.

Note: You may be asked to package and send your current workspace, database, settings, and
other relevant data to help the support team diagnose and resolve the problem. See Pack and Send
for more information.

Examples of errors that should be reported:

n Access violation
n List index out of bounds
n Invalid pointer operation
n Integer overflow
n Out of memory

What is an access violation?


Access violations typically occur when you do not have full modify/read/write permissions for a folder that the
software is attempting to access. To troubleshoot an access violation, verify that you have full permissions to
the following folders.

n SigmaNEST Program Files


n SigmaNEST ProgramData
n SNData

If you have full permissions for these folders, and the access violation still occurs, contact Technical Support.

I am getting error messages while trying to install SigmaNEST or when I try to start
the software for the first time.
Check with your IT administrator to ensure that you have the permissions necessary to perform the installation
and that an anti-virus program is not interfering. If it is safe to do so, we recommend anti-virus programs be
paused while running the SigmaNEST installer.
Licensing & Installation | 45

Icons are missing or in the wrong locations in SigmaTUBE SW.


Most likely, the UI elements did not load correctly. Close SOLIDWORKS, and browse to C:\Program
Files\SigmaTEK\SigmaTUBE in Windows File Explorer. Right-click on CleanSWUIReg.bat, and select Run as
Admin.

I have a great idea for a new feature. How do I share it with you?
Please contact Technical Support (page 39) to submit a feature request. We are always adding new features
and improving SigmaTEK products to meet our customers' needs, so we welcome and encourage constructive
feedback.

For more extensive troubleshooting information, or help that is specific to a certain SigmaNEST product,
please visit our Knowledge Base.

Common questions

Powered by AI

The 'Connection Test' feature in the SigmaNEST license server utility section helps diagnose connection issues between the license server and the SigmaNEST licensing system. It displays green fields for successful connections and red fields for problems, such as those caused by firewall rules. This feature assists IT administrators in identifying and resolving connectivity issues that could disrupt license services .

When installing an SQL database for SigmaNEST on a system without SigmaNEST, you must ensure that Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or higher is installed. The SQL database setup involves accepting the terms and selecting the installation path, ensuring the SNData folder structure is created or upgraded, and configuring SQL Server settings such as database units (Imperial or Metric). Permissions must be granted for accessing the SNData folder from other systems .

During an upgrade installation, the SigmaNEST Installer prompts users to either import old settings to the new version or skip this step to use default settings. Users can opt to import settings if they want continuity of previous configurations, but are informed that some old settings might interfere with newer software functionalities. The option to move settings later provides flexibility in maintaining an optimal configuration .

SigmaNEST's license server requires a persistent internet connection to communicate with the SigmaNEST licensing system, crucial for retrieving, activating, and managing software licenses . If an internet connection is not possible due to stringent security restrictions, such as those encountered by defense contractors, an offline licensing option is available in extreme circumstances upon contacting a SigmaNEST sales representative .

License activation failures in SigmaNEST can occur due to incorrect server keys, network issues, or missing license files. Solutions include verifying the 16-digit server license key and ensuring it matches the issued key, conducting a 'Connection Test' to confirm network connectivity, and consulting the typical FAQs/Troubleshooting section to resolve missing file-related issues. Additionally, ensuring the license server has a stable internet connection might resolve many activation issues .

To activate SigmaNEST product licenses via the web interface, you must first open the SigmaNEST license server interface in your browser. Next, click 'Activate Licenses' from the menu and enter the 16-digit product activation keys. These can be entered one per line or copied and pasted in bulk. Once entered, review the list of licenses ready for activation and click 'Activate' to finalize the process .

Companies can manage and assign licenses using the SigmaNEST license manager through actions like activation, viewing, assigning, reassigning, and revoking licenses from the license server interface. The 'View Licenses' tab allows users to see all licenses, their expiry dates, and current utilization. The 'View Usage' section provides insights on currently checked out licenses, while license activation is managed through the 'Activate Licenses' tab .

An IT department should share the SNData folder with all SigmaNEST users who require access, ensuring they have appropriate permissions set (read/write/modify). This involves configuring network shares and permissions via network and file system tools and confirming accessibility from all necessary user endpoints to prevent data access issues during SigmaNEST operations .

To move a SigmaNEST license server, one must first deactivate it on the current computer, then install and reactivate it on the new machine. Afterward, the individual product licenses need to be moved to the new server. Deactivation is done through the web interface by opening the SigmaNEST License Server desktop icon to access the interface and deactivating the licenses from there. Finally, reactivation and transferring of product licenses must be completed on the new server .

After installing SigmaNEST product components and activating the license, the connection to the license server is set up by opening the SigmaNEST product on any network workstation. This requires entering the licensing connection information—typically the server address and port—during the initial setup and ensuring that network configurations allow communication with the license server .

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