LS-DYNA®

PC/Windows Installation and Reference Manual

August 2007

LIVERMORE SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION (LSTC)

Corporate Address
Livermore Software Technology Corporation
P. O. Box 712
Livermore, California 94551-0712
Support Addresses
Livermore Software Technology Corporation Livermore Software Technology Corporation
7374 Las Positas Road 1740 West Big Beaver Road
Livermore, California 94551 Suite 100
Tel: 925-449-2500 ♦ Fax: 925-449-2507 Troy, Michigan 48084
Email: sales@lstc.com Tel: 248-649-4728 ♦ Fax: 248-649-6328
Website: www.lstc.com

Disclaimer
Copyright © 2007 Livermore Software Technology Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
LS-DYNA®, LS-OPT® and LS-PrePost® are registered trademarks of Livermore Software Technology
Corporation in the United States. All other trademarks, product names and brand names belong to
their respective owners.
LSTC reserves the right to modify the material contained within this manual without prior notice.
The information and examples included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to
be exhaustive or all-inclusive. LSTC assumes no liability or responsibility whatsoever for any direct
of indirect damages or inaccuracies of any type or nature that could be deemed to have resulted from
the use of this manual.
 Installation and Execution of LS-DYNA

Installation and Execution of LS-DYNA

LS-DYNA is installed from a DVD or by downloading a single self-extracting zip file which is
referred to as the “Complete Install”. The installation procedure creates a folder which
resembles the following:

The manuals folder contains the documentation in PDF format.

The program folder contains the executables for LS-DYNA and LS-PrePost.
The sample folder contains example input files. The associated Examples Manual is accessible
from the LS-DYNA Program Manager through the Manuals Menu
The manager.ini file is a configuration file that is updated through the LS-DYNA Program
Manager.
The Uninst.isu file is the uninstall file. Note, the uninstall procedure only removes the files that
were created during the initial installation. If other files have been added after installation then
the folder will remain. You must delete the folder to finish the complete uninstall. The uninstall
procedure is accessed from the Start Menu entry for LS-DYNA. See the next figure.

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Installation and Execution of LS-DYNA

The installation process also creates an entry in the “Start Menu” which looks like the following.
The name “LSDYNA” is the default name for the installation. At the time of installation you can
change the name.

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 LS-DYNA Program Manager

LS-DYNA Program Manager

The LS-DYNA Program Manager is the PC/Windows GUI interface for LS-DYNA and LS-
PrePost. It is launched from the Start Menu by selecting “LS-DYNA Manager” as shown in the
previous figure. Alternatively, one can create a shortcut for your desktop by right-click the
mouse on the above entry, selecting copy, then move the cursor to your desktop, right-click the
mouse again and select “Paste Shortcut”.

Menus and Icons

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LS-DYNA Program Manager

Switching between Executables

Both single precision and double precision executables are provided with LS-DYNA. The LS-
DYNA Program Manager can only reference one version at a time. The file name for the
executable is stored in the “Manager.ini” file that is located in the LSDYNA folder. To switch
between versions or update the executable with a new release use the Solver Menu Æ Select
LS-DYNA Solver entry as show below.

This will display the following window:

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 LS-DYNA Program Manager

Notice that it opens to the “program” folder. All executables must be placed in this folder. To
select a new version double click on that filename. This version is now the default executable
until it is changed again. You can verify this in the Solver Menu Æ Show Current Solver
Name

A similar procedure is available for LS-PrePost:

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LS-DYNA Program Manager

Once again the executable must be located in the program folder.

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 Node Locked License

Node Locked License

Introduction
The LS-DYNA® Node Locked License is installed from the LS-DYNA Program Manager using
the Node Locked License Menu.

Step 1: Choose the “Registration”

Fill in the information in the Registration Window. Then click the “Save log file” button:

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Node Locked License

Send the lstc.log file to your LS-DYNA distributor. If you are obtaining your license directory
from LSTC email the file to:

keys@lstc.com

Step 2: Import Node Locked License

After sending the lstc.log file you will receive via email a license file with the name “lstc_file” or
something similar, e.g., “lstc_file-name”. Save this file anywhere on your machine, e.g., on the
desktop. The filename under Windows OS is not case sensitive, so the name can be upper or
lowercase

From the Node Locked License Menu choose Æ Import License File:

From the “Select File” window, find the lstc_file and double click it. The LS-DYNA Program
Manager copies the file to the c:\windows folder and the license is installed.

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 Node Locked License

Running LS-DYNA with a Node Locked License

By default LS-DYNA looks for a node locked license which is also referred to as a “local”
license.
Use the ENV Variables Menu to set and view the license setup.

ToDisplay the LS-DYNA ENV.SETUP Window:

Choose the Env Variables Menu Æ Set LS-DYNA ENV. Variables:

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Node Locked License

This will display the following window:

When LS-DYNA is installed the default is set to use a “local” node locked license. When it is
set to local the second item “Local License File Name” can be modified. The default file is
“%windir%\lstc_file”. The “%windir%” refers to default “windows” directory for your system.
In most cases your system defines that as the “c:\windows” folder. If you want to verify the
folder location open a Windows Command Prompt and type at the prompt “cd %windir%” to see
what folder it refers to:

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 Node Locked License

The other items in this window are environmental variables that work with LS-DYNA. In most
cases the default values should be used. For a detailed explanation of each option look at the
Env Variables Menu Æ Help

The Env Variables Menu Æ Show LS-DYNA ENV. Variables option displays the values that
have been set:

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Node Locked License

How to Kill a Job

Jobs that are run interactively can be terminated using the Control-C sense switches. Pressing
Control-C in the “command window” where LS-DYNA is running will tell LS-DYNA to halt
execution and display a prompt. At the prompt you can type “sw1” to write a restart file and
terminate execution of the program or just type “stop” to terminate execution.

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 Network License Manager

Network License Manager

Introduction

The LSTC Network License Manager for Windows 32 and 64 bit OS is included with the
complete install of LS-DYNA. The license manager is called “lstclm.exe” and is located in the
“program” folder which is created under the folder where LS-DYNA is installed. The license
file will also be copied to that folder during the installation process of the network license
manager. The Network License is managed through the “Network License Menu” on the LS-
DYNA Program Manager.

Note: Only the machine that is the license manager for your location needs to install the
network license manager. As a client machine running LS-DYNA you can use the Network
License Menu Æ Network License Queue entry or the “clock” icon, which is an alias for the
menu entry, to view the network license queue.

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Network License Manager

Network License Manager Setup

Step 1: Generate the LSTC_SERVER_INFO file

From the Network License Menu choose Æ Network License Registration:

Fill in the requested information and save the LSTC_SERVER_INFO file:

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 Network License Manager

Send the LSTC_SEVER_INFO file to your LS-DYNA distributor. If you are obtaining your
license directory from LSTC email the file to:

keys@lstc.com

The License Manager validates the client machines by their IP Address. The license file can
include either a single IP Address, a range of IP Addresses or multiple ranges.

Please provide the appropriate IP Address information when you send in the
LSTC_SERVER_INFO file.

Once generated the license file cannot be modified by the end user. To make modifications to
the IP Address ranges contact your LS-DYNA distributor.

Step 2: Import Network License

After sending the LSTC_SERVER_INFO file you will receive via email a license file with the
name “server_data” or something similar, e.g., “server_data-name”. Save this file anywhere on
your machine, e.g., on the desktop.

From the Network License Menu choose Æ Import Network License:

From the “Select File” Window below navigate to where the license file was saved and double
click on the filename:

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Network License Manager

Step 3: Install the License Manager

Note: Administrative privilege is required to install the License Manager

Step 4: Start the License Manager

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 Network License Manager

The Network License Menu also includes an entry to STOP the License Manager:

Reasons for Stopping the License Manager

(1) To install a new license file:
1. Import the new license file
2. Stop the License Manager
3. Start the License Manager
(2) To remove the License Manager from Windows Services to either install a new license
manager or to just remove it from the system. Make sure there are no LS-DYNA jobs
running before you follow the removal procedure:
1. Stop the License Manager
2. Remove the License Manager

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Network License Manager

Windows Services Entry for the License Manager

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 Network License Manager

Event Viewer
The Event Viewer is used to view errors, warnings and general information that are placed in the
Windows System Error Logs.

Errors, warnings and general information are placed in the Windows system error logs which can
be viewed using the Event Viewer. Select the Application category on the left and look for
events tagged with LSTCLM.

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Network License Manager

Double click an entry to display information about that particular item as shown in the next
figure:

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 Network License Manager

Running LS-DYNA with the Network License Manager

By default LS-DYNA looks for a node locked license which is also referred to as a “local”
license. Therefore the user has to tell LS-DYNA that a network license is being used. This is
accomplished from the LS-DYNA Program Manager Æ“Env Variables Menu”.

Use this menu to set the environmental variables that tell LS-DYNA what type of license you
have installed and where to find the machine running the network license manager. This applies
to all machines that will be running LS-DYNA even if the machine is also used to run the
Network License Manager.

Step 1: Display the LS-DYNA ENV.SETUP Window by choosing the following:

Choose the Env Variables Menu Æ Set LS-DYNA ENV. Variables:

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Network License Manager

This will display the following window:

The default is to use a “local” node locked license. When it is set to local the second item
“Local License File Name” can be modified. The default file is “%windir%\lstc_file”. The
“%windir%” refers to default “windows” directory for your system. In most cases your system
defines that as the “c:\windows” folder. If you want to verify the folder location open a
Windows Command Prompt and type at the prompt “cd %windir%” to see what folder it refers
to:

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 Network License Manager

Step 2: Change License Type to “network”:

To use the Network License Manager use the pull down menu to change the License Type to
“network”. Note the box labeled “Network License Manager” is no longer dimmed out to allow
you to enter the “Hostname” of the machine on your network that is running the Network
License Manager. This can be a Unix/Linux/Windows machine.

Step 3: Enter the Hostname or IP Address of the license server machine.

In the example below the machine is called “licserver”.

The other items in this window are environmental variables that work with LS-DYNA. In most
cases the default values should be used. For a detailed explanation of each option look at the
Env Variables Menu Æ Help

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Network License Manager

The Env Variables Menu Æ Show LS-DYNA ENV. Variables option displays the values that
have been set:

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 Network License Manager

Network License Queue

The Network License Queue is displayed from the LS-DYNA Program Manager by selecting:

Network License Menu Æ View Network License

or
with the “Clock Icon” as show below:

Press the “Show Jobs” button to view job that are running or in the queue:

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Network License Manager

If the Queue is empty the following is displayed:

If jobs are in the Queue they will displayed. To remove a job from the Queue, first highlight the
job by placing the cursor over any part of the line displaying the information for that job and
click the left mouse button.

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 Network License Manager

Once the job is highlighted the “Kill Job” button is activated. Press that button to kill the job.

You have one more chance to change your mind.

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Network License Manager

Note: It may take several seconds for the job to be stopped. The following is displayed by LS-
DYNA (note the message highlighted here in green):

Alternative Method to Kill a Job

Jobs that are run interactively can be killed using the Control-C sense switches. Pressing
Control-C in the “command window” where LS-DYNA is running will tell LS-DYNA to halt
execution and display a prompt. At the prompt you can type “sw1” to write a restart file and
terminate execution of the program or just type “stop” to terminate execution. When this is
done, LS-DYNA communicates with the Network License Manager and removes the job from
the Queue.

Note: Do not close the “command window” where LS-DYNA is running to stop execution.
This will stop the job but the Network License Manager will not receive a signal from LS-
DYNA and consequently the job will still remain in the queue. After at most 1 hour the
Network License Manager will remove the job from the queue. You can at anytime remove
it manually as described above in the discussion about killing jobs from the queue. Once you
have removed the job the CPU resources that were used for that job will be available.

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 Network License Manager

Trouble Shooting
To check that the Network License Manager is running and is visible by a particular machine try
to view the Queue. If the license manager is running and no LS-DYNA jobs are running then the
following will be displayed:

However, if it is not running or you have entered the wrong name for the License Server the
following will be displayed:

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Network License Manager

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