This article is intended to provide guidance for those trying to activate or return a GoldSim standalone or network license.

Note: Troubleshooting this issue likely requires someone with IT administrative privileges within your organization to assist.

Problem:

When trying to activate your license using GoldSim or GSLActUtil, you get this error message: 

GoldSim was unable to activate (or return) the license! The Flexera Licensing System generated the following error:
Error: communications error (id=3). Unable to connect to server https://goldsim-fno.flexnetoperations.com/flexnet/services/ActivationService
Would you like to see the full error log?

In context of the above message, "Unable to connect to server...", the "server" in this case is outside (on the flexera side). When you get this error message, GoldSim is unable to establish a connection with the license activation URL.

For reference, below are screen captures of error windows that will appear when this error occurs.

Standalone license failure

Below is a screen capture of the error dialog appearing when this error occurs during license activation.

Below is a screen capture of the error dialog appearing when this error occurs when attempting to return the license.

Network license activation failure

Below is a screen capture of the error dialog appearing when the error occurs while attempting to activate the license. Note the error that might occur when returning the license would look essentially the same.

In either case above, when you click "Yes" on that window and you will see a message like this:

Server https://goldsim-fno.flexnetoperations.com/flexnet/ services/ActivationService, comms type SOAP
Status: 4, Creating request
Status: 5, Request created
Status: 6, Context created
Status: 0, Error
Error: API function 60041 failed, result 51404
Error: Unable to connect to server https://goldsim-fno. flexnetoperations.com/flexnet/ services/ActivationService

Troubleshooting Steps

Follow these steps to establish a connection with the license activation URL to allow a license activation.

Can GoldSim establish a connection with the Activation website?

1. Test your Internet connection by starting a web browser and visiting any website
2. Go to the license activation URL: https://goldsim-fno.flexnetoperations.com/flexnet/services/ActivationService
   • If it fails, contact GoldSim technical support
   • Otherwise, continue.
3. Test for a slow Internet connection by trying the activation a second time
4. If it still fails, continue to the next section.

Computer & Server Firewall Rules

If your or your organization’s network prevents outbound internet traffic, you may have to establish a firewall rule to allow GoldSim to communicate with its activation server on the internet. Please talk to your IT administrator to allow for such communication. On your computer or your network security appliance (firewall), create a firewall rule that grants permission for the computer (or the GoldSim or GLSActUtil application) to access the following URL via TCP on port 433:

https://goldsim-fno.flexnetoperations.com/flexnet/services/ActivationService

If all the above issues have been ruled out, consider performing an Offline Standalone Activation or Offline Network License Activation.