Online mode
To work with A>V>C> plugins, you need to connect to the A>V>C> servers via the Internet.
At the moment, the connection is only used for activation and automatic updates. But in the future, through this connection, you will be able to synchronize settings at different workplaces, load templates for layers, blocks, fasteners, and the like.
Without access to the A>V>C> server the activated program can work no more than a day. Then the program will be blocked.
Usually, the connection to the server is invisible to the user. But sometimes, when program can't postpone the connection for later, you will see a green slider in the center of the screen. As soon as the data is downloaded from the server, the slider will disappear.
If the program could not connect to the server, a warning will be issued. Check your computer's Internet connection, open a website in a browser, ping Google. If the Internet is working and the program cannot connect, then the Firewall has blocked the connection. Firewall is a program that restricts access to the Internet. Often this program is built into antivirus. The firewall can be located on your computer or on a corporate server in the local network of your company, or on your home router. The firewall will probably warn you that AutoCAD/BricsCAD is establishing a new unknown connection. Then you only need to allow this connection. If there are no warnings, then you need to configure the firewall yourself or contact your company's IT specialist. You need to allow AutoCAD / BricsCAD connections for Ping and on TCP port 1433. This is a standard port and usually nobody prohibits such connections anywhere.
Very old plugin versions may also fail to connect to the server simply because the server address has changed since the version was created. Just update the plugin.
Also, if you have problems connecting to the A>V>C> server, check that the time on your computer is synchronized with the exact time servers. The sync button is in the Windows Control Panel.
If the connection was, but lost, then first of all, force synchronize your computer's clock in the Windows settings and restart the computer.
There are cases of occasional outages due to the slow response of the AVC server. However, no connection warnings won't stop you from working for a few more days before the plugins get blocked. Thus, if you called at least one A>V>C> command on Friday evening, then you can safely go to the prairies for the weekend and work there without the Internet - nothing will be blocked until Monday.
Sometimes when connecting to the server, the error "This implementation is not part of the Windows Platform FIPS tested cryptographic algorithms" occurs. This error indicates that the "Use FIPS-compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing, and signing" system policy setting is enabled in Windows, which restricts the use of encryption algorithms. More information about it can be found on the Microsoft website. To resolve the error, this setting must be disabled (contact your network administrator if this is controlled through domain policy).
Theoretically, short interruptions in the work of the A>V>C> server are possible. To check if it works, try Ping to db.avcslovakia.sk. Report to avc.programming@gmail.com if the ping is too long. If the server is not responding, wait a few hours - most likely, work is already underway to restore the server.
If your work network is strictly limited or completely disconnected from the Internet forever, then you can switch A>V>C> programs to work without access to the network. But this is not recommended.
You can only use online mode to activate the plugin and then disable online mode. This can be useful for temporary work on your laptop in regions where there is no connection. But when the program detects an Internet connection, the online mode will be turned back on automatically and without warning.