Error -8 Cannot connect to previous versions of liccense manager

[AndrewLucas1]

Hi,

We going to be upgrading from ArcGIS 10.5.1 to 10.6.  We use concurrent licensing.  My first step was to upgrade our license server from 10.5.1 to 10.6.  Now ArcGIS 10.5.1 and later ArcGIS 10.6 give the following error:

Downgrading back to license server 10.5.1 still yielded the same error from ArcGIS 10.5.1. I have upgraded the license server to 2018.1 (10.6.1) and I still get this error.  I have deactivated all my licenses, uninstalled the license server completely and reinstalled and still get the error.  My server firewall is open on the correct ports to all applications because there are other FlexLM licenses hosted on this server and the ports are not pointed to a specific license server program.  The weirdest thing is that users are able to borrow licenses with no problem. While this is a temporary fix, I cannot have the licenses borrowed from the server because ArcGIS is loaded in a classroom lab and in a lab in our library so students can access ArcGIS outside of class to finish homework and class projects.

[AmnoyAm · Accepted solution]

Andrew,

The error usually indicates something has changed in the service.txt file.  How this may have happen, I cannot say.  The easier and cleaner option is to uninstall the ArcGIS License Manager.  Before doing so, go to C:\Program files (x86)\ArcGIS\License10.6\bin.  Copy or move service.txt to another location.  Uninstall the license manager.  Make sure service.txt was removed.  Reinstall the license manager should create a new service.txt file.  Make sure the license manager and function properly.  Give this a try. 

If that wasn't the case, it is possible the license manager is reading license files from other vendors.  In this case, contact Technical Support.  The analyst can help determine the cause.