December 2-5, 2003 ◊ MGM Grand Hotel Las Vegas

AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network

Environment: What's New?
Nate Bartley and Jerry Milana

IT21-1 This session is for CAD managers, network administrators, and CAD users who want to integrate AutoCAD® 2004 and
AutoCAD 2004-based products into a network environment. We'll present the pros and cons of installing and running a
stand-alone version of AutoCAD compared to a network version of AutoCAD. We'll also explore the new Network
Installation wizard as well as changes to the Autodesk License Manager. We'll even show how to borrow a network
license. A lot has changed in AutoCAD 2004. Come learn how to take advantage of it.

About the Speakers:

Nate Bartley has worked for Autodesk for over 10 years, most recently as a quality assurance engineer on the
interoperability team specializing in network and operating system issues. As an Autodesk® software user since 1984,
he has used, trained, tested, and supported AutoCAD® and AutoCAD-based products. Before joining Autodesk, he
was a CAD manager for a small architectural firm in San Jose, California. Nate earned his B.S. degree in Architectural
Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
[email protected]

Jerry Milana is a senior principal consultant with Autodesk Professional Services (APS), specializing in network and
operating-specific issues. In addition to providing support and training to dealers and major accounts, Jerry also
represents the Product Support Department at product development meetings. Prior to joining Autodesk, he was in
charge of sales and support for an AutoCAD® dealer. Jerry served as president of an AutoCAD user group and on
advisory councils for local collages. He has accepted numerous invitations to lecture on TCP/IP networking and
AutoCAD topics. Jerry has also contributed to CADENCE magazine on networking AutoCAD.
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?
This class will explore the new functionality found in AutoCAD 2004 that will help IT professionals
and CAD managers install, manage and maintain a running AutoCAD in a Microsoft Windows
network environment. We will also show how Autodesk is leveraging industry advances that
benefit both the IT professionals/CAD managers and the users of AutoCAD. This document gives a
brief overview of the new features and what has changed, it is not intended as a supplement to
course attendance but as a remainder as to what was presented.
NOTE: AutoCAD 2004 can be installed and run alongside all other AutoCAD-based software
products, enabling you to operate your existing production software during the transition.

XP Logo Certified and Compliant

AutoCAD 2004 is certified under the “Designed for Windows XP – Optimized for Enterprise”
Microsoft logo program. This ensures that AutoCAD runs smoothly in the Windows XP corporate
environment which includes being able to run AutoCAD as a “user” with limited rights. Allowing
AutoCAD to be run as a user removes the requirement that the user must be a member of the
“Power User” group.1
As part of being logo certified, AutoCAD support files that are user customizable, such as
ACAD.MNU/.MNS, ACAD.PGP, ACAD.LIN, and ACAD.PAT, have been moved from under the
program folder (C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2004) to the user’s profile (C:\Documents and
Settings\<user name>)2. Part of being logo certified means that user’s cannot modify any files
found under C:\Program Files. A benefit of moving the AutoCAD support files to the user’s profile
is AutoCAD now fully supports roaming profiles.

Stand-alone vs. Network

There are two ways in which AutoCAD can be installed and run.
Option 1 – Stand-alone installation
In a stand-alone installation of AutoCAD, AutoCAD is installed on the local workstation. The stand-
alone installation of AutoCAD does not require the workstation to be connected to a network in
order to run. In this type of environment, each workstation running AutoCAD requires a purchase
of a separate AutoCAD license.
In markets outside the United States and Canada, the stand-alone version of AutoCAD uses a
software lock in order to work.
Option 2 – Client/Network installation
In a client installation of AutoCAD, AutoCAD is installed locally on the workstation but requires the
workstation to be connected to a network. Somewhere on the network there must be a license
manager installed, authorized, and running to grant licenses. The benefit of the client installation is
that the AutoCAD licenses can be moved around (or “floated”) among workstations with
performance equal to that of running AutoCAD locally. The floating license does not require you to
purchase a copy of AutoCAD for every workstation that might run AutoCAD. You can purchase just
the number of licenses you need and install AutoCAD on all workstations. The license manager will
ensure that only a specified number of licenses will be in use at any given time.

1
Not all AutoCAD 2004-based applications have removed this requirement. Only AutoCAD is logo
certified. Most of AutoCAD 2004-based applications are XP compliant.
2
The actual path to the AutoCAD support files under the user’s profile varies depending on the
operating system and language of AutoCAD being used. For Windows XP, the path is
C:\Documents and Settings\<loginname>\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD
2004\R16.0\<language ID>.

2
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?

Note: In AutoCAD 2004, the Network Installation Wizard has been enhanced to pre-configure
AutoCAD to find support files that have been placed on a network server.

CD Browser or Front End User Interface (FEUI)

A new browser installation interface (Fig. 1) known as the CD Browser or Front End User Interface
(FEUI for short), enables you to find, view, and install various components on the AutoCAD 2004
CD. It provides easy access to the stand-alone and network versions of AutoCAD software. It
provides a quick overview of “What’s Inside” AutoCAD 2004, easy access to the AutoCAD
documentation, and references to different support options available with AutoCAD 2004.

Fig. 1 CD Browser/Install tab Fig. 2 CD Browser/Network Deployment tab

In this class we are going to look at some of the new components and especially some of the
components found on the Network Deployment tab (Fig. 2).

Software Licensing
Network License Manager
In AutoCAD 2004, the network license manager (NLM) has been updated from FLEXlm version 7.1f
and 7.2d to FLEXlm version 8.3. The NLM and AutoCAD 2004 now provide the ability for an
administrator to set a “time out” limit to return inactive network licenses to the license server.
The updated license manager (Fig. 3) also supports “License Borrowing”. A network license can be
temporarily borrowed allowing the user to run AutoCAD without access to the Network License
Manager.

3
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?

Fig. 3 LMTOOLS.exe
NOTE: In order to take advantage of the new licensing feature in AutoCAD 2004, you must upgrade
FLEXlm to version 8.3.
License Borrowing
Client versions of AutoCAD can now borrow a license from the Network License Manager. A license
may be borrowed from the license manager for a specified amount of time. During this time,
AutoCAD will run when the computer does not have access to the license manager. The AutoCAD
2004 Borrow Period Alert window (Fig. 5) is displayed when AutoCAD is started informing the user
that they are running on a borrowed license and when the borrowed license will expire. At the end
of the borrowed time, AutoCAD will fail to run until the computer is reattached to the network and
communication can be reestablished with the license manager. The Autodesk Borrowing Utility
(Fig. 4) allows the return of a borrowed license early. Once a license is returned early or time has
expired, the license is returned to license manager for use.

Fig. 4 Autodesk License Borrowing Utility window Fig. 5 AutoCAD Borrow Period Alert

Software Deployment
AutoCAD 2004 introduces the Network Installation Wizard (NIW) which provides more flexibility for
creating and modifying deployments then its predecessor the Network Setup Wizard. The NIW

4
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?

saves time by enabling IT professionals and CAD Managers to configure AutoCAD installations the
way they want without the many manual workarounds required by earlier versions. The NIW
allows you to configure the deployment for the type of license server (single server, distributed
servers, or redundant servers) configuration in use. Some of the new features of the NIW are the
ability to pre-configure AutoCAD support paths (Fig. 6), and add custom files. The NIW also
enables the system administrator to create deployments which control the access users will have to
internet functionality, such as Live Updates (Fig. 7) and Design Center Online, found in AutoCAD.

Fig. 6 NIW – Specify Settings window

5
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?
Fig. 7 NIW – Live Update window
Besides the enhancements to the Network Installation Wizard, AutoCAD is supporting the
installation of AutoCAD 2004 through Group Policies, System Management Server 2.0, and Remote
Installation Services. Not all the AutoCAD 2004-based applications are supporting Group Policies,
System Management Server 2.0, and Remote Installation Services.

Help / About / Product Information

Fig. 8 Help | About dialog

The help About box (Fig. 8) in AutoCAD 2004 now includes a Product Information button which
displays information about the AutoCAD software being used. The information shown in the
Product Information window depends on whether a stand-alone, network (Fig. 9), or International
version of AutoCAD is installed. It also depends on whether AutoCAD is being run as a stand-alone
license, software locked license, network license or borrowed license (Fig. 10).

Fig. 9 Product Information – network Fig. 10 Product Information - borrowed

6
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?

Communication Center \ Live Updates

Communication Center (Fig. 11) is a new feature of AutoCAD
2004 and it provides direct notification for product-related
information via an icon on the status bar. The new Live Update
feature is available through Communication Center. With Live
Update, you receive instant notification when an update or
maintenance release is available for your AutoCAD software.
Communication Center can be configured based on geographic
location, frequency of updates, and the selection of specific
information to be displayed. The information displayed is based
on “Information Channels”. Information Channels receive direct
links to technical support information, articles, software tips, and
product-related announcements.

CAD managers can selectively enable, disable, or configure the

Communication Center through CAD Manager Control tool or
NIW.

Fig. 11 Communication Center

Obtaining Support
The following Autodesk and Autodesk sponsored resources and links are excellent means of
obtaining support and help when you run across problems that you cannot solve:
o Autodesk User’s Group International (AUGI) – http://www.augi.com
From the AUGI website:
What is AUGI?
AUGI stands for Autodesk User Group International, officially recognized by Autodesk as the
representative of the Autodesk product user community. AUGI has two prime directives. The
first is to support its members by presenting programs and information that will enhance
their use of Autodesk products. The second is to deliver the voice of the user community to
Autodesk thus assisting Autodesk in product development and giving users a voice in the
process.
What does AUGI do?
Provides an environment for users to help users. Our programs and services are designed to
give the Autodesk user community access to one another and to Autodesk. We also try to fill
the gap by implementing programs that are lacking in the Autodesk community rather than
to compete with programs already available to users. Our motto is "Users Helping Users."
We work very hard to promote our membership as a community working together to
strengthen each other and the community in general.
How does AUGI do it?

7
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?
The short answer is, with the dedication of volunteers and continued sponsorship from
Autodesk and other supporters.
o Autodesk Website – http://www.autodesk.com
o Autodesk Authorized Reseller or Autodesk Systems Center –
http://www.autodesk.com/dealers
o Autodesk Web Support – http://www.autodesk.com/support
The support website gives access to:
o Knowledge base
o Discussion groups
o Updates and downloads
o Autodesk Paid support
Autodesk provides three levels of paid support; Enterprise Support, Support Request, and
Safety net. Here is an explanation of each from the Autodesk website:
Enterprise Support
Autodesk Enterprise Support provides fast, expert, high-touch service for support
professionals within a larger company.
Support Request
Log in to the Autodesk Support Request system to submit queries directly to Autodesk
support experts. (For direct support programs customers only.)
Safety Net
Speak directly to an Autodesk product support technician when you call for Autodesk Safety
Net Support and pay per incident.
o Autodesk Professional Services – http://www.autodesk.com/professionalservices
From the Autodesk Professional Services website:
Autodesk® Professional Services has one clear goal-to help you make the best use of your
Autodesk technology. Achieving this goal may require any number of services, from up-front
consulting to determine what software you need, to assisting with the installation and setup
of the software, training your staff to use it, and supporting them with expert technical
assistance, direct from the source. Whatever your requirements, we, and our network of
authorized partners, provide the services you need to get the highest possible return on
your technology investment.
o Autodesk Subscription Program – http://www.autodesk.com/subscription
From the Autodesk Subscription website:
Simplify your technology upgrades and boost your design productivity with the
complete software, support and training package from Autodesk® Subscription.
With Autodesk Subscription you get the latest releases of your Autodesk® software,
incremental product enhancements, personalized web support direct from Autodesk
technical experts, and self-paced training to help extend your skills. And with access to a
range of exclusive community resources and members-only privileges you can use the
power of your design tools to the fullest and make the most of your technology investment.
Beside the Autodesk and Autodesk sponsored links, you can find help at:
o Microsoft Support – http://www.microsoft.com/support

8
IT21-1 AutoCAD® 2004 in a Network Environment: What's New?

o Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) –

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/default.mspx
o FLEXlm – http://www.macrovision.com/products/flexlm/index.shtml
o Novell Support – http://www.novell.com/support

Conclusion:
AutoCAD 2004 provides many new features for the IT Professional and CAD manager to explorer.
In this class, we have explored some of these new features in AutoCAD 2004 and discussed their
benefits and how they are used. This paper is an overview of what was discussed in class.