MATLAB: Do I receive “Host ID Error” after selecting a license file during installation

Question

When I attempt to install MATLAB on a client machine for my network based license, I receive the following error:

Host ID Error

A host ID could not be found in your license file. After installation, you will have to manually edit the SERVER line in your license file.

What does this error mean, and how can I fix it?

Answer 1

This error occurs when you are installing on a client machine and the network license file is missing the SERVER line.

The SERVER line identifies the license server, so that MATLAB can contact the server to acquire licenses.

When this line is absent, the installer assumes you are installing on the license server. It compares the Host ID of the license file to the system's Host ID.

This can also occur if you are setting up the network license manager and choose a Typical installation rather than a custom installation.

If you are performing the network license manager installation, make sure you choose the "Custom" installation and select the license manager to be installed.

If you are installing a MATLAB client, acquire the network license file from the license server. The license.dat file on the server machine is located in:

 $MATLABROOT/etc ($MATLAB\flexlm for releases prior to R2010b on Windows)

(where $MATLAB is the MATLAB installation directory)

Once you have directed the installer to a license file with a valid SERVER line, it will complete successfully.