Learning Forum

[sanjum]

I'm trying to run a simulation from the terminal using MPI. I used the following command: /opt/lumerical/v212/mpich2/nemesis/bin/mpiexec -n 5 /opt/lumerical/v212/bin/fdtd-engine-mpich2nem -t 1 /home/sanjum/Documents/InP_Thin_Film_No_BSF_Ta2O5_Mo2O3.fsp

and I got the following error:

aeolus1.caltech.edu(process 0): License error: The license settings have not been configured

The flexNet error code is: 9999, which corresponds to the error:

Unknown flex error

Please see Troubleshooting" rel="nofollow">https://kb.lumerical.com/redirect/fwd3.html>Troubleshooting guide for help resolving this issue.

aeolus1.caltech.edu(process 0): Error: there was a failure with the license. Process number: 0 had this error

aeolus1.caltech.edu(process 2): Error: there was a failure with the license. Process number: 0 had this error

aeolus1.caltech.edu(process 3): Error: there was a failure with the license. Process number: 0 had this error aeolus1.caltech.edu(process 4): Error: there was a failure with the license. Process number: 0 had this error

aeolus1.caltech.edu(process 1): Error: there was a failure with the license. Process number: 0 had this error

I was able to run this simulation using the GUI, so I do not know what the issue is and am having trouble figuring it out. Please help me figure this out.

[sanjum]

Update: I realized that every time I run this, it changes the configuration from Ansys to Lumerical, but I don't know what the new terminal commands should be.

[Lito]

Please see this article in the KB for details on configuring the license server information on a Linux machine without the GUI.

[sanjum]

So the article presents an "either-or" situation with the environment variable and the License.ini file. So if I choose the environment variable way, what do I do once I set the ANSYSLMD_LICENSE_FILE variable? The rest of the page describes the License.ini file method

[Lito]

"Note:If both the License.ini file and the environment variable are set, the License.ini file takes precedence."
When using the environment variable for Lumerical 2021 R2, remove the License.ini file.

[sanjum]

Yes, but I set the environment variable and then it's set. I'm asking what exactly do I do to run the simulation after THAT? Setting the environment variable doesn't run the program.

[Lito]

After setting the license server configuration, run your simulation:
/opt/lumerical/v212/mpich2/nemesis/bin/mpiexec -n 5 /opt/lumerical/v212/bin/fdtd-engine-mpich2nem -t 1 /home/sanjum/Documents/InP_Thin_Film_No_BSF_Ta2O5_Mo2O3.fsp
Send a screenshot of the error message if you run into any issues.

[sanjum]

I'm still having the same issue. I attached a screenshot, with some things blocked out for privacy, but for the ANSYSLMD variable I used the port@server format. I could send you an unblocked screenshot if you follow up with me via email if needed.

[Lito]

See this post on how to set the environment variable in Linux. If you want to temporarily set the variable in your current terminal/shell session run:
export ANSYSLMD_LICENSE_FILE=port#@licenseserver
/opt/lumerical/v212/mpich2/nemesis/bin/mpiexec -n 5 /opt/lumerical/v212/bin/fdtd-engine-mpich2nem -t 1 /home/sanjum/Documents/InP_Thin_Film_No_BSF_Ta2O5_Mo2O3.fsp
Hope this helps.

[sanjum]

Thanks so much! That seems to have helped make some progress, but now I am getting a new error message, even though I know the file path is right and I even put the simulation in "Layout" mode.

[Lito]

Do you have a GUI interface/connection on this Linux machine? Are you able to run the simulation from the FDTD CAD? You can open the CAD from the Terminal:
/opt/lumerical/v212/bin/fdtd-solutions
Is this happening to all simulation files? Download and run this example (mwp.fsp) from the Linux machine. Try to check the permission on the files. Ensure that you have read/write access to the files.

[sanjum]

The exam ran fine, as is another file, but I was able to run the original simulation that I asked about in the GUI, so I'm not sure what else to do to ensure I have read / write access to the files.

[Lito]

Doing everything from the FDTD CAD/GUI would be best. Is there any reason to run the simulation file directly from the terminal rather than the GUI on this Linux machine? With regards to the file permission, you can try the command below.
cd /home/sanjum/Documents
chmod 666 *.fsp
ls -all *.fsp
Which should show something like:
-rw-rw-rw-. 1 lyap lyap 202719736 Nov4 13:19 nanowire.fsp
-rw-rw-rw-. 1 lyap lyap57932681 Nov4 13:20 paralleltest.fsp
Are you able to open and run the affected simulation file in either the GUI or direct from the Terminal? The issue might be specific to a simulation file which could be damaged or corrupted as indicated by the error message:
The file cannot be read due to an error: Unexpected end of file.