How can I check if the ports between the network license manager and client are blocked?

I am not able to run MATLAB with my network license. I am able to ping the server from my client and ping the client from my server, but MATLAB still can't connect. I want to know how I can check if the ports are being blocked between my server and client.

Answer 1

[MathWorks Support Team]

The MATLAB License Manager uses two ports to communicate between the MATLAB Client and the License Manager itself. There must be connectivity through both ports for the client to be able to checkout products from the server. Below are two different means of checking port availability for each qualified operating system.

Please note that when you are running the commands, make sure to remove all less than (<) and greater than (>) symbols from the command.

Windows:

    

   Using Telnet in the command prompt:

1. Open a command prompt by hitting your Windows key, typing cmd, and hitting enter
2. Run the following command to test port connectivity to the desired host:

            telnet <IP Address/HostName> <Port Number>

     If the port is open, the command prompt will be blank with a blinking cursor on screen. You can close the command prompt window as normal

     If the port is closed/blocked/in use a message will come up ending with "Connect failed"

Using Test-NetConnection in Powershell

1. Open a Windows Powershell window by hitting your Windows key, and typing Powershell, and hit enter
2. Run the following command to test port connectivity to the desired host:

            Test-NetConnection -ComputerName "HostName" -port xxxxx

    If the port is open the Powershell will return information about the host, ending with a 'TcpTestSucceeded : True'

    If the port is closed/blocked/in use a WARNING message will come up saying "TCP connect to (IP ADDRESS : PORT) failed

Mac:

Using the built in Network Utility

1. Open the Network Utility by opening Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Network Utility
2. Once in the Network Utility select the Port Scan tab
3. Check the box next to "Only test ports between"
4. Add the port(s) you want to test for (If you want to check just port 80 for example, set the range between 80 and 80)

   You can then enter the IP Address or Host Name of the License Manager server machine and then you can specify the port range you want to test for. 

Using netcat in Terminal

1. Open a terminal by opening the Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal
2. Once in the terminal you can run the following command to test port connectivity from your machine:

            nc -zv <IP Address/HostName> <Port Number>

    If the port is open the terminal will return a message saying "Connection to <HostName> <Port> port succeeded!"

    If the port is closed/blocked/in use the terminal will return " nc: connect to <HostName> port <Port> (tcp) failed: Connection refused"

Linux:

Using Telnet in Terminal

1. Open a terminal through the Activities menu or Applications menu depending on your distribution
2. Run the following command to test port connectivity to the desired host:

            telnet <IP Address/HostName> <Port Number>

    If the port is open, the command prompt will be blank with a blinking cursor on screen.

    If the port is closed/blocked/in use a message will come up ending with "Connect failed"

Using netcat in Terminal

1. Open a terminal through the Activities menu or Applications menu depending on your distribution
2. Once in the terminal you can run the following command to test port connectivity from your machine:

            nc -zv <IP Address/HostName> <Port Number>

    If the port is open the terminal will return a message saying "Connection to <HostName> <Port> port succeeded!"

    If the port is closed/blocked/in use the terminal will return " nc: connect to <HostName> port <Port> (tcp) failed: Connection refused"

For more information about the port the network license manager uses, see What ports does the Network License Manager use, and how can I set those ports? 

For more information about License Manager Error 96, see Why do I receive License Manager Error -96?