ERROR

Wrong hostid on SERVER line

Last Published: April 26, 2020

Error Message

The following error message appears in the debug log file:

(ESRI) Wrong hostid on SERVER line for license file:
(ESRI) SERVER line says ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY=37100547, hostid is ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY=37100548
(ESRI) Invalid hostid on SERVER line

Cause

The hardware key number plugged into the parallel port does not match the ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY number in the license file.

Solution or Workaround

 
  1. Open one of the license files and look in the server line for the ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY number.
     
    The ArcGIS License Manager requires that the license file information be appropriate for the system and that it matches the information sent from the ESRI Keycode Department.
    1. The license files for ArcGIS are located in C:\Program Files\ESRI\License and end with a '.lic' file extension. The Arcinfo.lic file looks similar to this:
       
      Code:
      SERVER server1 ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY=37123456 27005
      VENDOR ESRI
      FEATURE ARC/INFO ESRI 8.01 01-jan-00 1 3BFE602241F669DB9349 \
      		vendor_info="8DCZFL5B5R6D6RH8L023" ck=15
    2. The second entry on the SERVER line is the hostname of your computer. Make sure the hostname entry matches the actual hostname of the system (see step 1). The hostname entry is not tied to your keycode, and may be changed as long as it matches the hostname of the system that runs the license manager.
    3. The third entry on the SERVER line is the Sentinel Key number. This number should match the number returned by running Start > Programs > ArcGIS > License Manager > Display Hardware Key Status. Occasionally, the number printed on the Sentinel Key does not match the number returned by checking 'Display Hardware Key Status'. In this case, use the number returned by 'Display Hardware Key Status' to request new licenses.
      Notice this number always starts with a '3'. For example, if the e-mail tool used is Microsoft Outlook with Microsoft Word as the e-mail editor, all instances of '=3' will be stripped from the license file(s), as '=3' is a special Microsoft Word programming code. In such case, edit the license file(s) to restore the '=3'.
    4. The last item on each FEATURE line is the checksum number. The checksum number can also be stripped of a '=3'. The entry should contain 'ck=' followed by a number. If the equal sign is missing, the number three will also be missing. In such case, edit the license file(s) to restore the '=3' in the checksum number.
  2. Use the key with the number that matches the ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY number in license file.
  3. If you do not have that hardware key, confirm the ESRI_SENTINEL_KEY number of the hardware key you do have and then contact ESRI Customer Service for the appropriate keycodes.
Steps to display the hardware key status:
  • ArcInfo 7.1.X
    Click Start > Programs > ArcInfo Administrator > License Manager. Click Display Hardware Key Status.
  • ArcInfo 7.2.1
    Click Start > Programs > ESRI License Manager. Click Display Hardware Key Status.
  • Arcinfo 8.X
    Click > Programs > ArcInfo > License Manager. Click Display Hardware Key Status.

Article ID:000001945

Software:
  • Legacy Products
  • ArcMap 8 x

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