Fix: Unable to Connect to Server error, when trying to register a CfS licence

On a Windows PC, when you connect a MOTOTRBO device, you might sometimes get an Unable to Connect to Server error, when trying to register a software licence (CfS licence). You'll also maybe notice that the error goes away if you disconnect the USB cable from the radio device - and returns when you reconnect the cable.

There are four ways you can solve this:

1. Not in the same subnet.

Confirm that you internet connection (LAN/WLAN) is not in the same subnet as the radio device (i.e. radio or repeater). By default the radio subnet is 192.168.10.0/24 (i.e. in the range of 192.168.10.1 to 192.168.10.254). If this checks out okay, or you cannot change the IP address of your internet connection, try option 2.

2. The workaround

The radio device does not need to be connected to the PC when registering the Entitlement ID. So as soon as you've imported the serial number, you can disconnect the radio. You can also manually type in the serial number but I prefer to import it - this avoids mistyped serial numbers (finger trouble).

The radio device only needs to be connected to the PC when you are activating an already registered CfS feature. No internet connection is needed at this stage.

3. Interface Metric

If you'd prefer not to try option 2 and the IP address checks out okay (see #1), you can try changing the Windows Interface metric to give preference to the LAN/WLAN connection when any application wants to go onto the internet.

Here's how you can do this:

In Windows 10, go to Control Pane>>Network and Internet>>Network and Sharing Centre. Now click the connection you use to connect to the internet then click on the Properties button. Scroll down to Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties and then Advanced. At the bottom of the page deselect (un-tick) Automatic Metric – this will un-grey the Interface Metric field below it. In the Interface Metric field, enter a value of 1. Now click on OK, OK, Close and Close.

Next click the MOTOTRBO Radio #X connection, then click on the Properties button. Scroll down to Internet Protocol (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties and then Advanced. At the bottom of the page deselect (untick) Automatic Metric – this will un-grey the Interface Metric field below it. In the Interface Metric field, enter a value of 100 (anything higher than 1 will be okay but I use 100 just to be safe). Now click on OK, OK, Close and Close.

To make sure the connection is good, try pinging licensing.motorolasolutions.com while the repeater is connected. This is the server the CPS connects to, to handle the licencing. To do this, click on Search and type Command, then click on the Command Prompt shortcut. This opens the command prompt window and allows you to enter DOS-type commands. At the prompt, type ping licensing.motorolasolutions.com. If you connection is good, you should see something like:

Pinging usa.fweb.motorolasolutions.com [140.101.84.151] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 140.101.84.151: bytes=32 time=102ms TTL=53
Reply from 140.101.84.151: bytes=32 time=95ms TTL=53
Reply from 140.101.84.151: bytes=32 time=94ms TTL=53
Reply from 140.101.84.151: bytes=32 time=94ms TTL=53

Ping statistics for 140.101.84.151:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 94ms, Maximum = 102ms, Average = 96ms

The lost value must be zero. If it’s 100% then there is an issue with your internet connection or PC. Check the above and if necessary, contact your source for technical support. Once in a while, the server gets taken offline for maintenance but this usually happens on Saturdays and Sundays at off-peak hours.

4. Skype

Sometimes (though very rarely) Skype can interfere with the registration process. Try closing Skype (i.e quit Skype and not just let it run in the background). Only try this if you've checked the above. If you still need help, contact your source for technical support.