diff --git a/.ci/collect_mapdl_logs.sh b/.ci/collect_mapdl_logs.sh
index 5e075ae096..57ce2bedaf 100755
--- a/.ci/collect_mapdl_logs.sh
+++ b/.ci/collect_mapdl_logs.sh
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ echo "Collecting docker run log..."
 cp log.txt ./"$LOG_NAMES"/log.txt || echo "MAPDL run docker log not found."
 
 echo "Copying docker launch log..."
-cp mapdl_launch.log ./"$LOG_NAMES"/mapdl_launch.log || echo "MAPDL launch docker log not found."
+cp mapdl_launch_0.log ./"$LOG_NAMES"/mapdl_launch_0.log || echo "MAPDL launch docker log not found."
+cp mapdl_launch_1.log ./"$LOG_NAMES"/mapdl_launch_1.log || echo "MAPDL launch docker log not found."
 
 echo "Collecting file structure..."
 ls -R > ./"$LOG_NAMES"/files_structure.txt || echo "Failed to copy file structure to a file"
diff --git a/.ci/start_mapdl.sh b/.ci/start_mapdl.sh
index 8870e5fd81..68d028c4a4 100755
--- a/.ci/start_mapdl.sh
+++ b/.ci/start_mapdl.sh
@@ -13,7 +13,12 @@ export VERSION="$MAJOR$MINOR"
 echo "MAPDL VERSION: $VERSION"
 
 
-if [[ $MAPDL_VERSION == *"ubuntu"* ]] ; then
+if [[ $MAPDL_VERSION == *"latest-ubuntu"* ]]; then
+    echo "It is latest-ubuntu. Using 'ansys' script to launch"
+    export EXEC_PATH=ansys
+    # export P_SCHEMA=/ansys_inc/ansys/ac4/schema
+
+elif [[ $MAPDL_VERSION == *"ubuntu"* ]] ; then
     echo "It is an ubuntu based image"
     export EXEC_PATH=/ansys_inc/v$VERSION/ansys/bin/mapdl
     export P_SCHEMA=/ansys_inc/v$VERSION/ansys/ac4/schema
@@ -40,7 +45,7 @@ docker run \
     -e ANSYS_LOCK="OFF" \
     -p "$PYMAPDL_PORT":50052 \
     -p "$PYMAPDL_DB_PORT":50055 \
-    --shm-size=1gb \
+    --shm-size=2gb \
     -e I_MPI_SHM_LMT=shm \
     -e P_SCHEMA="$P_SCHEMA" \
     -w /jobs \
diff --git a/.devcontainer/codespaces-dev/requirements.txt b/.devcontainer/codespaces-dev/requirements.txt
index c01ce8f592..33ddaafc5c 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/codespaces-dev/requirements.txt
+++ b/.devcontainer/codespaces-dev/requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ansys-dpf-core==0.10.1
-autopep8==2.0.4
+autopep8==2.1.0
 matplotlib==3.8.3
 scipy==1.12.0
 pandas==2.2.1
diff --git a/.devcontainer/devcontainer-local/requirements.txt b/.devcontainer/devcontainer-local/requirements.txt
index c01ce8f592..33ddaafc5c 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/devcontainer-local/requirements.txt
+++ b/.devcontainer/devcontainer-local/requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ansys-dpf-core==0.10.1
-autopep8==2.0.4
+autopep8==2.1.0
 matplotlib==3.8.3
 scipy==1.12.0
 pandas==2.2.1
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cache_cleaner.yml b/.github/workflows/cache_cleaner.yml
index 7afa87ac59..89decf0584 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cache_cleaner.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cache_cleaner.yml
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ jobs:
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
       - name: Check out code
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
 
       - name: Cleanup PR caches
         if: github.event_name != 'workflow_dispatch'
@@ -26,9 +26,15 @@ jobs:
           ## Setting this to not fail the workflow while deleting cache keys. 
           set +e
           echo "Deleting caches..."
-          for cacheKey in $cacheKeysForPR
+          
+          while [ ! -z "$cacheKeysForPR" ];
           do
-              gh actions-cache delete $cacheKey -R $REPO -B $BRANCH --confirm && echo "Deleting cache with key: $cacheKey"
+            for cacheKey in $cacheKeysForPR
+            do
+                gh actions-cache delete $cacheKey -R $REPO -B $BRANCH --confirm && echo "Deleting cache with key: $cacheKey"
+            done
+          
+            cacheKeysForPR=$(gh actions-cache list -R $REPO -B $BRANCH | cut -f 1 )
           done
           echo "Done"
         env:
@@ -48,9 +54,14 @@ jobs:
             ## Setting this to not fail the workflow while deleting cache keys. 
             set +e
             echo "Deleting caches..."
-            for cacheKey in $cacheKeysForPR
+            while [ ! -z "$cacheKeysForPR" ];
             do
-                gh actions-cache delete $cacheKey -R $REPO --confirm && echo "Deleting cache with key: $cacheKey"
+              for cacheKey in $cacheKeysForPR
+              do
+                  gh actions-cache delete $cacheKey -R $REPO --confirm && echo "Deleting cache with key: $cacheKey"
+              done
+
+              cacheKeysForPR=$(gh actions-cache list -R $REPO | cut -f 1 )
             done
             echo "Done"
         env:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yml b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
index f2cf711e97..4a9e77d8d9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yml
@@ -115,10 +115,10 @@ jobs:
       ON_DOCUMENTATION: TRUE
     steps:
       - name: "Install Git and checkout project"
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
 
       - name: "Login in Github container registry"
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3.0.0
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3.1.0
         with:
           registry: ghcr.io
           username: ${{ github.actor }}
@@ -290,22 +290,49 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        mapdl-version: ['v22.2.1', 'v22.2-ubuntu', 'v23.1.0', 'v23.2.0', 'v24.1.0', 'v24.1-ubuntu-student']
+        mapdl-version: [
+          'v22.2.1',
+          'v22.2-ubuntu',
+          'v23.1.0',
+          'v23.1-ubuntu',
+          'v23.2.0',
+          'v23.2-ubuntu',
+          'v24.1.0',
+          'v24.1-ubuntu',
+          'v24.1-ubuntu-student',
+          'v24.2.0',
+          'latest-ubuntu',
+          'latest-ubuntu-student',
+          ]
         extended_testing:
           - ${{ github.event_name == 'schedule' || ( github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.run_all_tests ) || ( github.event_name == 'push' && contains(github.ref, 'refs/tags') ) }}
         exclude:
+          # In PRs skipping all MAPDL version except student ones (commented out).
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-version: 'v22.2.1'
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-version: 'v22.2-ubuntu'
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-version: 'v23.1.0'
+          - extended_testing: false
+            mapdl-version: 'v23.1-ubuntu'
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-version: 'v23.2.0'
           - extended_testing: false
-            mapdl-version: 'v23.1.0'
+            mapdl-version: 'v23.2-ubuntu'
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-version: 'v24.1.0'
+          - extended_testing: false
+            mapdl-version: 'v24.1-ubuntu'
+          # - extended_testing: false
+          #   mapdl-version: 'v24.1-ubuntu-student'
+          - extended_testing: false
+            mapdl-version: 'v24.2.0'
+          - extended_testing: false
+            mapdl-version: 'latest-ubuntu'
+          # - extended_testing: false
+          #   mapdl-version: 'latest-ubuntu-student'
+
     env:
       PYMAPDL_PORT: 21000  # default won't work on GitHub runners
       PYMAPDL_PORT2: 21001  # for the pool testing and default won't work on GitHub runners
@@ -320,10 +347,10 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: "Install Git and checkout project"
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
 
       - name: "Login in Github container registry"
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3.0.0
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3.1.0
         with:
           registry: ghcr.io
           username: ${{ github.actor }}
@@ -482,7 +509,13 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        mapdl-image: ['v23.2-ubuntu', 'v24.1-ubuntu', 'v24.1-ubuntu-student']
+        mapdl-image: [
+          'v23.2-ubuntu', 
+          'v24.1-ubuntu', 
+          'v24.1-ubuntu-student',
+          'latest-ubuntu',
+          'latest-ubuntu-student',
+          ]
         extended_testing:
           - ${{ github.event_name == 'schedule' || ( github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.run_all_tests ) || ( github.event_name == 'push' && contains(github.ref, 'refs/tags') ) }}
         exclude:
@@ -490,6 +523,8 @@ jobs:
             mapdl-image: 'v23.2-ubuntu'
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-image: 'v24.1-ubuntu'
+          - extended_testing: false
+            mapdl-image: 'latest-ubuntu'
     container:
       image: ghcr.io/ansys/mapdl:${{ matrix.mapdl-image }}
       options: -u=0:0 --oom-kill-disable --memory=6656MB --memory-swap=16896MB --shm-size=1gb --entrypoint /bin/bash
@@ -505,7 +540,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: "Install Git and checkout project"
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
         with:
           repository: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name }}
           ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.ref }}
@@ -608,7 +643,13 @@ jobs:
     strategy:
       fail-fast: false
       matrix:
-        mapdl-image: ['v23.2-ubuntu', 'v24.1-ubuntu', 'v24.1-ubuntu-student']
+        mapdl-image: [
+          'v23.2-ubuntu',
+          'v24.1-ubuntu',
+          'v24.1-ubuntu-student',
+          'latest-ubuntu',
+          'latest-ubuntu-student',
+          ]
         extended_testing:
           - ${{ github.event_name == 'schedule' || ( github.event_name == 'workflow_dispatch' && inputs.run_all_tests ) || ( github.event_name == 'push' && contains(github.ref, 'refs/tags') ) }}
         exclude:
@@ -616,6 +657,8 @@ jobs:
             mapdl-image: 'v23.2-ubuntu'
           - extended_testing: false
             mapdl-image: 'v24.1-ubuntu'
+          - extended_testing: false
+            mapdl-image: 'latest-ubuntu'
     container:
       image: ghcr.io/ansys/mapdl:${{ matrix.mapdl-image }}
       options: -u=0:0 --oom-kill-disable --memory=6656MB --memory-swap=16896MB --shm-size=1gb --entrypoint /bin/bash
@@ -629,7 +672,7 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
       - name: "Install Git and checkout project"
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
         with:
           repository: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.repo.full_name }}
           ref: ${{ github.event.pull_request.head.ref }}
@@ -665,7 +708,13 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           # Because there is no 'ansys-tools-path' we need to input the
           # executable path with the env var: PYMAPDL_MAPDL_EXEC.
-          version=$(echo "${{ matrix.mapdl-image }}" | head -c 5 | tail -c 4 | tr -d '.')
+
+          if [[ "${{ matrix.mapdl-image }}" == *"latest-ubuntu"* ]] ; then
+            version="242"
+          else
+            version=$(echo "${{ matrix.mapdl-image }}" | head -c 5 | tail -c 4 | tr -d '.')
+          fi;
+
           echo "$version"
 
           export PYMAPDL_MAPDL_EXEC=/ansys_inc/v"$version"/ansys/bin/ansys"$version"
@@ -692,6 +741,7 @@ jobs:
 
 
   test-windows:
+    # Skipped
     if: github.repository == ''
     name: "Local: Build & test on Windows"
     runs-on: [self-hosted, Windows, pymapdl]
@@ -700,7 +750,7 @@ jobs:
       ON_LOCAL: TRUE
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
 
       # Skipping because it is installed locally.
       # - name: Setup Python
@@ -826,7 +876,7 @@ jobs:
     needs: upload-docs-release
     steps:
       - name: "Install Git and clone project"
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
 
       - name: "Install the package requirements"
         run: pip install -e .
@@ -899,7 +949,7 @@ jobs:
         os: [ubuntu-latest, windows-latest]
 
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v1.0.0
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
       - name: "Set up Julia"
         uses: julia-actions/setup-julia@v1
         with:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/label.yml b/.github/workflows/label.yml
index c9500aee61..e6a541d5c0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/label.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/label.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ jobs:
     name: Syncer
     runs-on: ubuntu-latest
     steps:
-      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
       - uses: micnncim/action-label-syncer@v1
         env:
           GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
diff --git a/.github/workflows/linkchecker.yml b/.github/workflows/linkchecker.yml
index 499547b10d..280cd3a210 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/linkchecker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/linkchecker.yml
@@ -11,9 +11,9 @@ concurrency:
 
 env:
   ON_CI: True
-  DOCKER_PACKAGE: ghcr.io/ansys/mapdl
-  DOCKER_IMAGE_VERSION_DOCS_BUILD: v23.1.0
-  MAIN_PYTHON_VERSION: '3.9'
+  MAPDL_PACKAGE: ghcr.io/ansys/mapdl
+  MAPDL_IMAGE_VERSION_DOCS_BUILD: v24.1.0
+  MAIN_PYTHON_VERSION: '3.10'
   PYANSYS_OFF_SCREEN: True
   DPF_START_SERVER: False
   DPF_PORT: 21002
@@ -31,7 +31,30 @@ jobs:
       SHELLOPTS: "errexit:pipefail"
     steps:
       - name: "Install Git and checkout project"
-        uses: actions/checkout@v4
+        uses: actions/checkout@v4.1.2
+
+      - name: "Login in Github container registry"
+        uses: docker/login-action@v3.1.0
+        with:
+          registry: ghcr.io
+          username: ${{ secrets.GH_USERNAME }}
+          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
+
+      - name: "DPF server activation"
+        run: |
+          $(docker pull ghcr.io/ansys/dpf-core:22.2dev && docker run -d --name dpfserver -p ${{ env.DPF_PORT }}:50052 ghcr.io/ansys/dpf-core:22.2dev && echo "DPF Server active on port ${{ env.DPF_PORT }}.") &
+
+      - name: "Pull, launch, and validate MAPDL service"
+        id: start_mapdl
+        env:
+          LICENSE_SERVER: ${{ secrets.LICENSE_SERVER }}
+          MAPDL_VERSION: ${{ env.MAPDL_IMAGE_VERSION_DOCS_BUILD }}
+          DISTRIBUTED_MODE: "dmp"
+        run: |
+          export INSTANCE_NAME=MAPDL
+          .ci/start_mapdl.sh &> mapdl_launch.log & export DOCKER_PID=$!
+          echo "Launching MAPDL service at PID: $DOCKER_PID"
+          echo "DOCKER_PID=$(echo $DOCKER_PID)" >> $GITHUB_OUTPUT
 
       - name: "Setup Python"
         uses: actions/setup-python@v5
@@ -53,19 +76,6 @@ jobs:
           pip install .
           xvfb-run python -c "from ansys.mapdl import core as pymapdl; print(pymapdl.Report())"
 
-      - name: "Login in Github container registry"
-        uses: docker/login-action@v3.0.0
-        with:
-          registry: ghcr.io
-          username: ${{ secrets.GH_USERNAME }}
-          password: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
-
-      - name: "Pull, launch, and validate MAPDL service"
-        run: .ci/start_mapdl.sh
-        env:
-          LICENSE_SERVER: ${{ secrets.LICENSE_SERVER }}
-          MAPDL_IMAGE: '${{ env.DOCKER_PACKAGE }}:${{ env.DOCKER_IMAGE_VERSION_DOCS_BUILD }}'
-
       - name: "Retrieve PyMAPDL version"
         id: version
         run: |
@@ -76,10 +86,9 @@ jobs:
         run: |
           pip install .[doc]
 
-      - name: "DPF server activation"
+      - name: "Waiting for the services to be up"
         run: |
-          docker pull ghcr.io/ansys/dpf-core:22.2dev
-          docker run -d --name dpfserver -p ${{ env.DPF_PORT }}:50052 ghcr.io/ansys/dpf-core:22.2dev && echo "DPF Server active on port ${{ env.DPF_PORT }}."  
+          .ci/waiting_services.sh
 
       - name: LinkCheck
         run: |
diff --git a/.pre-commit-config.yaml b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
index ba14650f4b..cf467ac34a 100644
--- a/.pre-commit-config.yaml
+++ b/.pre-commit-config.yaml
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ repos:
           )
 
 - repo: https://github.com/psf/black
-  rev: 24.2.0  # If version changes --> modify "blacken-docs" manually as well.
+  rev: 24.3.0  # If version changes --> modify "blacken-docs" manually as well.
   hooks:
   - id: black
     args:
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ repos:
   rev: 1.16.0
   hooks:
   - id: blacken-docs
-    additional_dependencies: [black==24.2.0]
+    additional_dependencies: [black==24.3.0]
 
 - repo: https://github.com/PyCQA/flake8
   rev: 7.0.0
diff --git a/doc/source/api/pool.rst b/doc/source/api/pool.rst
index 583b85a6ab..b9134852d7 100644
--- a/doc/source/api/pool.rst
+++ b/doc/source/api/pool.rst
@@ -8,4 +8,4 @@ Local MAPDL pool
 .. autosummary::
    :toctree: _autosummary
 
-   pool.LocalMapdlPool
+   pool.MapdlPool
diff --git a/doc/source/conf.py b/doc/source/conf.py
index 14c62d0aad..b68de48c9e 100755
--- a/doc/source/conf.py
+++ b/doc/source/conf.py
@@ -212,6 +212,8 @@
     "https://mapdl.docs.pyansys.com/*",
     "https://ansysaccount.b2clogin.com/*",  # behind payfirewall
     "https://ansyshelp.ansys.com/*",  # behind payfirewall
+    "https://forum.ansys.com/forums/*",  # It is detected as broken
+    "https://courses.ansys.com/*",  # It is detected as broken
 ]
 linkcheck_anchors_ignore = [
     # these anchors are picked by linkcheck as broken but they are not.
diff --git a/doc/source/user_guide/pool.rst b/doc/source/user_guide/pool.rst
index d8e045acca..e520ba1b3c 100644
--- a/doc/source/user_guide/pool.rst
+++ b/doc/source/user_guide/pool.rst
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 Create a pool of MAPDL instances
 ================================
 
-PyMAPDL contains the :class:`LocalMapdlPool <ansys.mapdl.core.pool.LocalMapdlPool>`
+PyMAPDL contains the :class:`MapdlPool <ansys.mapdl.core.pool.MapdlPool>`
 class to simplify creating multiple local instances of the 
 :class:`Mapdl <ansys.mapdl.core.mapdl._MapdlCore>`
 class for batch processing. This can be used for the batch processing of a
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@ This code creates a pool:
 
 .. code:: pycon
 
-    >>> from ansys.mapdl.core import LocalMapdlPool
-    >>> pool = LocalMapdlPool(10)
+    >>> from ansys.mapdl.core import MapdlPool
+    >>> pool = MapdlPool(10)
     'MAPDL Pool with 10 active instances'
     >>> pool.exit(block=True)
 
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ at the current directory within their own isolated directories:
 
     >>> import os
     >>> my_path = os.getcmd()
-    >>> pool = LocalMapdlPool(10, nproc=1, run_location=my_path)
+    >>> pool = MapdlPool(10, nproc=1, run_location=my_path)
     Creating Pool: 100%|########| 10/10 [00:01<00:00,  1.43it/s]
 
 You can access each individual MAPDL instance with this code:
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Run a set of input files
 ------------------------
 
 You can use the pool to run a set of pre-generated input files using the
-:func:`run_batch <ansys.mapdl.core.LocalMapdlPool.run_batch>` method. For
+:func:`run_batch <ansys.mapdl.core.MapdlPool.run_batch>` method. For
 example, this code would run the first set of 20 verification files:
 
 .. code:: pycon
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Run a user function
 
 You can use the pool to run a custom user function on each MAPDL
 instance over a set of inputs. As in the example for the
-:func:`run_batch <ansys.mapdl.core.LocalMapdlPool.run_batch>` function,
+:func:`run_batch <ansys.mapdl.core.MapdlPool.run_batch>` function,
 the following code uses a set of verification files. However, it implements
 it as a function and outputs the final routine instead of the text
 output from MAPDL.
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ Close the PyMAPDL pool
 ----------------------
 
 You can close the PyMAPDL pool with the
-:meth:`pool.exit() <ansys.mapdl.core.LocalMapdlPool.exit>` command.
+:meth:`pool.exit() <ansys.mapdl.core.MapdlPool.exit>` command.
 
 .. code:: pycon
     
diff --git a/minimum_requirements.txt b/minimum_requirements.txt
index 716ad26a51..1d65119cae 100644
--- a/minimum_requirements.txt
+++ b/minimum_requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ansys-api-mapdl==0.5.1
-importlib-metadata==7.0.2
+importlib-metadata==7.1.0
 numpy==1.26.4
 platformdirs==4.2.0
 psutil==5.9.8
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 849493fdd6..57b5d43db4 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ jupyter = [
 
 tests = [
     "ansys-dpf-core==0.10.1",
-    "autopep8==2.0.4",
+    "autopep8==2.1.0",
     "matplotlib==3.8.3",
     "scipy==1.12.0",
     "pandas==2.2.1",
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/__init__.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/__init__.py
index c041fb0962..aadc1dce2b 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/__init__.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/__init__.py
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@
 
 from ansys.mapdl.core.mapdl_grpc import MapdlGrpc as Mapdl
 from ansys.mapdl.core.misc import Information, Report, _check_has_ansys
-from ansys.mapdl.core.pool import LocalMapdlPool
+from ansys.mapdl.core.pool import MapdlPool
 from ansys.mapdl.core.theme import MapdlTheme, _apply_default_theme
 
 _HAS_ANSYS = _check_has_ansys()
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/_version.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/_version.py
index 43f141899d..2b73beb61c 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/_version.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/_version.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
 
 # In descending order
 SUPPORTED_ANSYS_VERSIONS = {
+    242: "2024R2",
     241: "2024R1",
     232: "2023R2",
     231: "2023R1",
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/cli.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/cli.py
index c0400e645a..208df4033f 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/cli.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/cli.py
@@ -470,6 +470,10 @@ def start(
                 + " The following argument is not allowed in CLI: 'license_server_check'.\nIgnoring argument."
             )
 
+        # Ignoring env var if using CLI
+        if "PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE" in os.environ:
+            os.environ.pop("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE")
+
         out = launch_mapdl(
             exec_file=exec_file,
             just_launch=True,
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/database/database.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/database/database.py
index 3323a664d1..5877af5f6e 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/database/database.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/database/database.py
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 from ..mapdl_grpc import MapdlGrpc
 
 MINIMUM_MAPDL_VERSION = "21.1"
+FAILING_DATABASE_MAPDL = ["24.1", "24.2"]
 
 
 class WithinBeginLevel:
@@ -236,9 +237,10 @@ def start(self, timeout=10):
             )
 
         ## Checking MAPDL versions
-        mapdl_version = self._mapdl.version
-        if not server_meets_version(
-            str(mapdl_version), MINIMUM_MAPDL_VERSION
+        mapdl_version = str(self._mapdl.version)
+        if (
+            not server_meets_version(mapdl_version, MINIMUM_MAPDL_VERSION)
+            or mapdl_version in FAILING_DATABASE_MAPDL
         ):  # pragma: no cover
             from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import MapdlVersionError
 
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py
index fd091ae04e..82c91a9ffb 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/launcher.py
@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ def port_in_use(port: Union[int, str], host: str = LOCALHOST) -> bool:
 
 
 def port_in_use_using_socket(port: Union[int, str], host: str) -> bool:
-    """Returns True when a port is in use at the given host using socket librry.
+    """Returns True when a port is in use at the given host using socket library.
 
     Must actually "bind" the address.  Just checking if we can create
     a socket is insufficient as it's possible to run into permission
@@ -283,7 +283,6 @@ def launch_grpc(
     ram: Optional[int] = None,
     run_location: str = None,
     port: int = MAPDL_DEFAULT_PORT,
-    ip: str = LOCALHOST,
     additional_switches: str = "",
     override: bool = True,
     timeout: int = 20,
@@ -599,7 +598,9 @@ def launch_grpc(
 
     env_vars = update_env_vars(add_env_vars, replace_env_vars)
 
-    LOG.info(f"Running in {ip}:{port} the following command: '{command}'")
+    LOG.info(
+        f"Running a local instance at port {port} the following command: '{command}'"
+    )
 
     LOG.debug("MAPDL starting in background.")
     process = subprocess.Popen(
@@ -802,9 +803,19 @@ def get_start_instance(start_instance: bool = True):
         Raised when ``PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE`` is not either true or false
         (case independent).
 
+    Notes
+    -----
+    If the environment variable ``PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE`` is set,
+    hence the argument ``start_instance`` is overwritten.
+
     """
     if "PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE" in os.environ and os.environ["PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE"]:
         # It should not be empty
+        if isinstance(start_instance, bool):
+            warnings.warn(
+                "The environment variable 'PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE' is set, "
+                "hence the argument 'start_instance' is overwritten."
+            )
         start_instance = os.environ["PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE"]
     else:
         LOG.debug(
@@ -1167,13 +1178,14 @@ def launch_mapdl(
 
     ip : bool, optional
         Used only when ``start_instance`` is ``False``. If provided,
-        it will force ``start_instance`` to be ``False``.
+        and ``start_instance`` (or its correspondent environment variable
+        ``PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE``) is ``True`` then, an exception is raised.
         Specify the IP address of the MAPDL instance to connect to.
         You can also provide a hostname as an alternative to an IP address.
         Defaults to ``'127.0.0.1'``. You can also override the
         default behavior of this keyword argument with the
-        environment variable ``PYMAPDL_IP=<IP>``.
-        This argument has priority over the environment variable.
+        environment variable ``PYMAPDL_IP=<IP>``. If this environment variable
+        is empty, it is as it is not set.
 
     clear_on_connect : bool, optional
         Defaults to ``True``, giving you a fresh environment when
@@ -1507,8 +1519,28 @@ def launch_mapdl(
         ms_ = ", ".join([f"'{each}'" for each in kwargs.keys()])
         raise ValueError(f"The following arguments are not recognized: {ms_}")
 
-    if ip is None:
-        ip = os.environ.get("PYMAPDL_IP", None)
+    # Getting IP from env var
+    ip_env_var = os.environ.get("PYMAPDL_IP", "")
+    if ip_env_var != "":
+        if ip:
+            warnings.warn(
+                "The env var 'PYMAPDL_IP' is set, hence the 'ip' argument is overwritten."
+            )
+
+        ip = ip_env_var
+        LOG.debug(f"An IP ({ip}) has been set using 'PYMAPDL_IP' env var.")
+
+    ip = None if ip == "" else ip  # Making sure the variable is not empty
+
+    # Getting "start_instance" using "True" as default.
+    if (ip is not None) and (start_instance is None):
+        # An IP has been supplied. By default, 'start_instance' is equal
+        # false, unless it is set through the env vars.
+        start_instance = get_start_instance(start_instance=False)
+    else:
+        start_instance = get_start_instance(start_instance=start_instance)
+
+    LOG.debug("Using 'start_instance' equal to %s.", start_instance)
 
     if ip is None:
         if ON_WSL:
@@ -1518,8 +1550,9 @@ def launch_mapdl(
                     f"On WSL: Using the following IP address for the Windows OS host: {ip}"
                 )
             else:
-                LOG.debug(
-                    "PyMAPDL could not find the IP address of the Windows host machine."
+                raise MapdlDidNotStart(
+                    "You seems to be working from WSL.\n"
+                    "Unfortunately, PyMAPDL could not find the IP address of the Windows host machine."
                 )
 
         if not ip:
@@ -1533,10 +1566,17 @@ def launch_mapdl(
             "Because 'PYMAPDL_IP' is not None, an attempt is made to connect to"
             " a remote session ('START_INSTANCE' is set to 'False')."
         )
-        if not ON_WSL:
-            start_instance = False
-        else:
+        if ON_WSL:
             LOG.debug("On WSL: Allowing 'start_instance' and 'ip' arguments together.")
+        else:
+            if start_instance is True:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    "When providing a value for the argument 'ip', the argument "
+                    "'start_instance' cannot be 'True'.\n"
+                    "Make sure the corresponding environment variables are not setting "
+                    "those argument values.\n"
+                    "For more information visit https://github.com/ansys/pymapdl/issues/2910"
+                )
 
         ip = socket.gethostbyname(ip)  # Converting ip or hostname to ip
 
@@ -1567,10 +1607,6 @@ def launch_mapdl(
 
     version = _verify_version(version)  # return a int version or none
 
-    # Getting "start_instance" using "True" as default.
-    start_instance = get_start_instance(start_instance=start_instance)
-    LOG.debug("Using 'start_instance' equal to %s.", start_instance)
-
     if start_instance:
         # special handling when building the gallery outside of CI. This
         # creates an instance of mapdl the first time.
@@ -1579,6 +1615,8 @@ def launch_mapdl(
             # launch an instance of pymapdl if it does not already exist and
             # we're allowed to start instances
             if GALLERY_INSTANCE[0] is None:
+                LOG.debug("Loading first MAPDL instance for gallery building.")
+                GALLERY_INSTANCE[0] = "Loading..."
                 mapdl = launch_mapdl(
                     start_instance=True,
                     cleanup_on_exit=False,
@@ -1589,8 +1627,11 @@ def launch_mapdl(
                 GALLERY_INSTANCE[0] = {"ip": mapdl._ip, "port": mapdl._port}
                 return mapdl
 
-                # otherwise, connect to the existing gallery instance if available
-            elif GALLERY_INSTANCE[0] is not None:
+            # otherwise, connect to the existing gallery instance if available, but it needs to be fully loaded.
+            elif GALLERY_INSTANCE[0] != "Loading...":
+                LOG.debug(
+                    "Connecting to an existing MAPDL instance for gallery building."
+                )
                 mapdl = MapdlGrpc(
                     ip=GALLERY_INSTANCE[0]["ip"],
                     port=GALLERY_INSTANCE[0]["port"],
@@ -1604,6 +1645,9 @@ def launch_mapdl(
                     mapdl.clear()
                 return mapdl
 
+            else:
+                LOG.debug("Bypassing Gallery building flag for the first time.")
+
     else:
         LOG.debug("Connecting to an existing instance of MAPDL at %s:%s", ip, port)
 
@@ -1611,9 +1655,6 @@ def launch_mapdl(
             print(f"There is an existing MAPDL instance at: {ip}:{port}")
             return
 
-        if pymapdl.BUILDING_GALLERY:  # pragma: no cover
-            LOG.debug("Building gallery.")
-
         if _debug_no_launch:
             return pack_parameters(
                 port,
@@ -1656,7 +1697,11 @@ def launch_mapdl(
 
         LOG.debug("Using default executable.")
         # Load cached path
-        exec_file = get_ansys_path(version=version) if not _debug_no_launch else ""
+        if _debug_no_launch:
+            exec_file = ""
+        else:
+            exec_file = get_ansys_path(version=version)
+
         if exec_file is None:
             raise FileNotFoundError(
                 "Invalid exec_file path or cannot load cached "
@@ -1787,7 +1832,6 @@ def launch_mapdl(
 
             port, actual_run_location, process = launch_grpc(
                 port=port,
-                ip=ip,
                 add_env_vars=add_env_vars,
                 replace_env_vars=replace_env_vars,
                 **start_parm,
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py
index 126264f68f..42c1f1dedb 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_core.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@
 import tempfile
 import time
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Dict, List, Literal, Optional, Tuple, Union
-import warnings
 from warnings import warn
 import weakref
 
@@ -57,6 +56,7 @@
 from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import (
     ComponentNoData,
     MapdlCommandIgnoredError,
+    MapdlFileNotFoundError,
     MapdlInvalidRoutineError,
     MapdlRuntimeError,
 )
@@ -1977,7 +1977,7 @@ def run_multiline(self, commands) -> str:
 
         """
 
-        warnings.warn(
+        warn(
             "'run_multiline()' is being deprecated in future versions.\n Please use 'input_strings'.",
             DeprecationWarning,
         )
@@ -2678,7 +2678,13 @@ def _perform_entity_list_selection(
     def _raise_errors(self, text):
         # to make sure the following error messages are caught even if a breakline is in between.
         flat_text = " ".join([each.strip() for each in text.splitlines()])
-        base_error_msg = "\n\nIgnore these messages by setting 'ignore_errors'=True"
+        base_error_msg = "\n\nIgnore these messages by setting 'ignore_errors'=True.\n"
+
+        if "unable to open file" in flat_text or (
+            "unable to open" in flat_text and "file" in flat_text
+        ):
+            text += base_error_msg
+            raise MapdlFileNotFoundError(text)
 
         if "is not a recognized" in flat_text:
             text = text.replace("This command will be ignored.", "")
@@ -2706,10 +2712,15 @@ def _raise_errors(self, text):
 
         if "For element type = " in flat_text and "is invalid." in flat_text:
             if "is normal behavior when a CDB file is used." in flat_text:
-                warn(text)
+                warn(text, UserWarning)
             else:
+                text += base_error_msg
                 raise MapdlCommandIgnoredError(text)
 
+        if "Cannot create another with the same name" in flat_text:
+            # When overriding constitutive models. See 'test_tbft'
+            warn(text, UserWarning)
+
         # flag errors
         if "*** ERROR ***" in flat_text:
             self._raise_output_errors(text)
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_extended.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_extended.py
index 9a27e6a8cf..fe18ae9adf 100644
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_extended.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/mapdl_extended.py
@@ -1352,7 +1352,7 @@ def inquire(self, strarray="", func="", arg1="", arg2=""):
             "RSTFILE",
             "RSTEXT",
             "OUTPUT",
-            "ENVNAME",
+            "ENV",
             "TITLE",
             "EXIST",
             "DATE",
diff --git a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py
index a8741c418c..b3f29ae45d 100755
--- a/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py
+++ b/src/ansys/mapdl/core/pool.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def available_ports(n_ports: int, starting_port: int = MAPDL_DEFAULT_PORT) -> Li
     return ports
 
 
-class LocalMapdlPool:
+class MapdlPool:
     """Create a pool of MAPDL instances.
 
     .. note::
@@ -133,8 +133,8 @@ class LocalMapdlPool:
     Simply create a pool of 10 instances to run in the temporary
     directory.
 
-    >>> from ansys.mapdl.core import LocalMapdlPool
-    >>> pool = LocalMapdlPool(10)
+    >>> from ansys.mapdl.core import MapdlPool
+    >>> pool = MapdlPool(10)
     Creating Pool: 100%|########| 10/10 [00:01<00:00,  1.43it/s]
 
     Create several instances with 1 CPU each running at the current
@@ -142,19 +142,19 @@ class LocalMapdlPool:
 
     >>> import os
     >>> my_path = os.getcmd()
-    >>> pool = LocalMapdlPool(10, nproc=1, run_location=my_path)
+    >>> pool = MapdlPool(10, nproc=1, run_location=my_path)
     Creating Pool: 100%|########| 10/10 [00:01<00:00,  1.43it/s]
 
     Create a pool while specifying the MAPDL executable in Windows.
 
     >>> exec_file = 'C:/Program Files/ANSYS Inc/v212/ansys/bin/winx64/ANSYS212.exe'
-    >>> pool = LocalMapdlPool(10, exec_file=exec_file)
+    >>> pool = MapdlPool(10, exec_file=exec_file)
     Creating Pool: 100%|########| 10/10 [00:01<00:00,  1.43it/s]
 
     Create a pool while specifying the MAPDL executable in Linux.
 
     >>> exec_file = '/ansys_inc/v211/ansys/bin/ansys211'
-    >>> pool = LocalMapdlPool(10, exec_file=exec_file)
+    >>> pool = MapdlPool(10, exec_file=exec_file)
     Creating Pool: 100%|########| 10/10 [00:01<00:00,  1.43it/s]
 
     """
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ def __init__(
             # Checking version
             if _HAS_ATP:
                 if version_from_path("mapdl", exec_file) < 211:
-                    raise VersionError("LocalMapdlPool requires MAPDL 2021R1 or later.")
+                    raise VersionError("MapdlPool requires MAPDL 2021R1 or later.")
 
         self._exec_file = exec_file
 
diff --git a/tests/common.py b/tests/common.py
index ebb65b315d..29f0eb492c 100644
--- a/tests/common.py
+++ b/tests/common.py
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def has_grpc():
 
 
 def has_dpf():
-    return os.environ.get("DPF_PORT", "")
+    return bool(os.environ.get("DPF_PORT", ""))
 
 
 def is_smp():
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index ed3096d3c0..08c5fa1966 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 from collections import namedtuple
 import os
 from pathlib import Path
+from shutil import get_terminal_size
 from sys import platform
 
 from _pytest.terminal import TerminalReporter  # for terminal customization
@@ -204,7 +205,12 @@ def requires_dependency(dependency: str):
 
 pymapdl.RUNNING_TESTS = True
 
-from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import MapdlExitedError, MapdlRuntimeError
+from ansys.mapdl.core import Mapdl
+from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import (
+    MapdlConnectionError,
+    MapdlExitedError,
+    MapdlRuntimeError,
+)
 from ansys.mapdl.core.examples import vmfiles
 from ansys.mapdl.core.launcher import get_start_instance, launch_mapdl
 
@@ -238,6 +244,38 @@ def requires_dependency(dependency: str):
     raise MapdlRuntimeError(ERRMSG)
 
 
+@pytest.hookimpl(trylast=True)
+def pytest_report_header(config, start_path, startdir):
+    text = []
+    text += ["Testing variables".center(get_terminal_size()[0], "-")]
+    text += [
+        f"Session dependent: ON_CI ({ON_CI}), TESTING_MINIMAL ({TESTING_MINIMAL}), SUPPORT_PLOTTING ({SUPPORT_PLOTTING})"
+    ]
+    text += [
+        f"OS dependent: ON_LINUX ({ON_LINUX}), ON_UBUNTU ({ON_UBUNTU}), ON_WINDOWS ({ON_WINDOWS}), ON_MACOS )({ON_MACOS})"
+    ]
+    text += [
+        f"MAPDL dependent: ON_LOCAL ({ON_LOCAL}), ON_STUDENT ({ON_STUDENT}), HAS_GRPC ({HAS_GRPC}), HAS_DPF ({HAS_DPF}), IS_SMP ({IS_SMP})"
+    ]
+
+    text += ["Environment variables".center(get_terminal_size()[0], "-")]
+    line = ""
+    for env_var in [
+        "PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE",
+        "PYMAPDL_PORT",
+        "PYMAPDL_DB_PORT",
+        "PYMAPDL_IP",
+        "DPF_PORT",
+        "DPF_START_SERVER",
+    ]:
+        env_var_value = os.environ.get(env_var, None)
+        if env_var_value is not None:
+            line += f"{env_var} ('{env_var_value}'), "
+    text += [line]
+    text += ["Pytest configuration".center(get_terminal_size()[0], "-")]
+    return "\n".join(text)
+
+
 ## Changing report line length
 class MyReporter(TerminalReporter):
     def short_test_summary(self):
@@ -373,26 +411,32 @@ def is_exited(mapdl):
         except MapdlExitedError:
             return True
 
-    if START_INSTANCE and is_exited(mapdl):
+    if START_INSTANCE and (is_exited(mapdl) or mapdl._exited):
         # Backing up the current local configuration
         local_ = mapdl._local
-
-        # Relaunching MAPDL
-        mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
-            port=mapdl._port,
-            override=True,
-            run_location=mapdl._path,
-            cleanup_on_exit=mapdl._cleanup,
-        )
-
-        # Cloning the new mapdl instance channel into the old one.
-        mapdl._channel = mapdl_._channel
-        mapdl._multi_connect(timeout=mapdl._timeout)
+        channel = mapdl._channel
+        ip = mapdl.ip
+        port = mapdl.port
+        try:
+            # to connect
+            mapdl = Mapdl(port=port, ip=ip)
+
+        except MapdlConnectionError as err:
+            # we cannot connect.
+            # Kill the instance
+            mapdl.exit()
+
+            # Relaunching MAPDL
+            mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+                port=mapdl._port,
+                override=True,
+                run_location=mapdl._path,
+                cleanup_on_exit=mapdl._cleanup,
+            )
 
         # Restoring the local configuration
         mapdl._local = local_
 
-    mapdl.gopr()
     yield  # this is where the testing happens
 
     # Teardown : fill with any logic you want
diff --git a/tests/test_cli.py b/tests/test_cli.py
index 9fd8b55602..12200c0e9d 100644
--- a/tests/test_cli.py
+++ b/tests/test_cli.py
@@ -54,11 +54,18 @@ def do_run(arguments=""):
 @requires("click")
 @requires("local")
 @requires("nostudent")
-def test_launch_mapdl_cli(run_cli):
-    output = run_cli()
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("start_instance", [None, True, False])
+def test_launch_mapdl_cli(monkeypatch, run_cli, start_instance):
+    if start_instance is not None:
+        monkeypatch.setenv("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE", str(start_instance))
+    else:
+        monkeypatch.delenv("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE", raising=False)
+
+    # Setting a port so it does not collide with the already running instance for testing
+    output = run_cli("start --port 50053")
 
-    # In local
     assert "Success: Launched an MAPDL instance " in output
+    assert "50053" in output
 
     # grab ips and port
     pid = int(re.search(r"\(PID=(\d+)\)", output).groups()[0])
@@ -127,26 +134,26 @@ def test_launch_mapdl_cli_config(run_cli):
 @requires("nostudent")
 def test_launch_mapdl_cli_list(run_cli):
     output = run_cli("list")
-    assert "running" in output
+    assert "running" in output or "sleeping" in output
     assert "Is Instance" in output
     assert len(output.splitlines()) > 2
     assert "ansys" in output.lower() or "mapdl" in output.lower()
 
     output = run_cli("list -i")
-    assert "running" in output
+    assert "running" in output or "sleeping" in output
     assert "Is Instance" not in output
     assert len(output.splitlines()) > 2
     assert "ansys" in output.lower() or "mapdl" in output.lower()
 
     output = run_cli("list -c")
-    assert "running" in output
+    assert "running" in output or "sleeping" in output
     assert "Command line" in output
     assert "Is Instance" in output
     assert len(output.splitlines()) > 2
     assert "ansys" in output.lower() or "mapdl" in output.lower()
 
     output = run_cli("list -cwd")
-    assert "running" in output
+    assert "running" in output or "sleeping" in output
     assert "Command line" not in output
     assert "Working directory" in output
     assert "Is Instance" in output
@@ -154,7 +161,7 @@ def test_launch_mapdl_cli_list(run_cli):
     assert "ansys" in output.lower() or "mapdl" in output.lower()
 
     output = run_cli("list -l")
-    assert "running" in output
+    assert "running" in output or "sleeping" in output
     assert "Is Instance" in output
     assert "Command line" in output
     assert len(output.splitlines()) > 2
diff --git a/tests/test_database.py b/tests/test_database.py
index fe24c729d7..f045af90d8 100644
--- a/tests/test_database.py
+++ b/tests/test_database.py
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@
 
 ## Checking MAPDL versions
 from ansys.mapdl.core.database import MINIMUM_MAPDL_VERSION, DBDef, MapdlDb
-from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import MapdlRuntimeError
+from ansys.mapdl.core.database.database import FAILING_DATABASE_MAPDL
+from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import MapdlRuntimeError, MapdlVersionError
 from ansys.mapdl.core.misc import random_string
 from conftest import ON_CI
 
@@ -56,7 +57,7 @@ def db(mapdl):
             f"This MAPDL version ({mapdl_version}) docker image seems to not support DB, but local does."
         )
 
-    if mapdl_version == "24.1":
+    if mapdl_version == "24.1" or mapdl_version == "24.2":
         pytest.skip(
             f"This MAPDL version ({mapdl_version}) does not support PyMAPDL Database."
         )
@@ -72,6 +73,14 @@ def db(mapdl):
     return mapdl.db
 
 
+def test_failure_on_non_allowed_versions(mapdl):
+    if str(mapdl.version) in ["24.1", "24.2"]:
+        with pytest.raises(MapdlVersionError):
+            mapdl.db.start()
+    else:
+        pytest.skip(f"Should run only on MAPDL 24.1 and 24.2")
+
+
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
 def gen_block(mapdl):
     """Generate nodes and elements in a simple block."""
@@ -109,6 +118,11 @@ def test_database_start_stop(mapdl):
             f"This MAPDL version ({mapdl_version}) docker image seems to not support DB, but local does."
         )
 
+    if mapdl_version in FAILING_DATABASE_MAPDL:
+        pytest.skip(
+            f"This MAPDL version ({mapdl_version}) docker image does not support Database module."
+        )
+
     # verify it can be created twice
     mapdl.prep7()
     for _ in range(2):
diff --git a/tests/test_examples.py b/tests/test_examples.py
index 3f1fe09998..723b417b7b 100644
--- a/tests/test_examples.py
+++ b/tests/test_examples.py
@@ -164,28 +164,33 @@ def test_download_tech_demo_data(running_test):
 
 @requires("requests")
 def test_detach_examples_submodule():
-    cmd = """
+    cmd = (
+        """
 import sys
 
-assert "ansys.mapdl.core" not in sys.modules
-assert "requests" not in sys.modules
-assert "ansys.mapdl.core.examples" not in sys.modules
+assert 'ansys.mapdl.core' not in sys.modules
+assert 'requests' not in sys.modules
+assert 'ansys.mapdl.core.examples' not in sys.modules
 
 from ansys.mapdl import core as pymapdl
 
-assert "ansys.mapdl.core" in sys.modules
-assert "ansys.mapdl.core.examples" not in sys.modules
-assert "requests" not in sys.modules
+assert 'ansys.mapdl.core' in sys.modules
+assert 'ansys.mapdl.core.examples' not in sys.modules
+assert 'requests' not in sys.modules
 
 from ansys.mapdl.core.examples import vmfiles
 
-assert "ansys.mapdl.core.examples" in sys.modules
-assert "requests" in sys.modules
+assert 'ansys.mapdl.core.examples' in sys.modules
+assert 'requests' in sys.modules
 
-print("Everything went well")
-"""
+print('Everything went well')
+""".strip()
+        .replace("\n", ";")
+        .replace(";;", ";")
+    )
+
+    cmd_line = f"""python -c "{cmd}" """
 
-    cmd_line = f"""python -c '{cmd}' """
     p = Popen(cmd_line, shell=True, stdout=PIPE, stderr=STDOUT)
     out = p.communicate()[0].decode()
 
diff --git a/tests/test_launcher.py b/tests/test_launcher.py
index d2f06a0eb1..780b337ba5 100644
--- a/tests/test_launcher.py
+++ b/tests/test_launcher.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 import os
 import tempfile
 from time import sleep
+import warnings
 
 import psutil
 import pytest
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@
     PortAlreadyInUseByAnMAPDLInstance,
 )
 from ansys.mapdl.core.launcher import (
+    LOCALHOST,
     _check_license_argument,
     _force_smp_student_version,
     _is_ubuntu,
@@ -182,20 +184,21 @@ def test_launch_console(version):
 
 @requires("local")
 @requires("nostudent")
-def test_license_type_keyword():
+def test_license_type_keyword(mapdl):
     checks = []
     for license_name, license_description in LICENSES.items():
         try:
-            mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+            mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
                 license_type=license_name,
                 start_timeout=start_timeout,
+                port=mapdl.port + 1,
                 additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
             )
 
             # Using first line to ensure not picking up other stuff.
-            checks.append(license_description in mapdl.__str__().split("\n")[0])
-            mapdl.exit()
-            del mapdl
+            checks.append(license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0])
+            mapdl_.exit()
+            del mapdl_
             sleep(2)
 
         except MapdlDidNotStart as e:
@@ -209,43 +212,45 @@ def test_license_type_keyword():
 
 @requires("local")
 @requires("nostudent")
-def test_license_type_keyword_names():
+def test_license_type_keyword_names(mapdl):
     # This test might became a way to check available licenses, which is not the purpose.
 
     successful_check = False
     for license_name, license_description in LICENSES.items():
-        mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+        mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
             license_type=license_name,
             start_timeout=start_timeout,
+            port=mapdl.port + 1,
             additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
         )
 
         # Using first line to ensure not picking up other stuff.
         successful_check = (
-            license_description in mapdl.__str__().split("\n")[0] or successful_check
+            license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0] or successful_check
         )
-        assert license_description in mapdl.__str__().split("\n")[0]
-        mapdl.exit()
+        assert license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0]
+        mapdl_.exit()
 
     assert successful_check  # if at least one license is ok, this should be true.
 
 
 @requires("local")
 @requires("nostudent")
-def test_license_type_additional_switch():
+def test_license_type_additional_switch(mapdl):
     # This test might became a way to check available licenses, which is not the purpose.
     successful_check = False
     for license_name, license_description in LICENSES.items():
-        mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+        mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
             additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES + " -p " + license_name,
             start_timeout=start_timeout,
+            port=mapdl.port + 1,
         )
 
         # Using first line to ensure not picking up other stuff.
         successful_check = (
-            license_description in mapdl.__str__().split("\n")[0] or successful_check
+            license_description in mapdl_.__str__().split("\n")[0] or successful_check
         )
-        mapdl.exit()
+        mapdl_.exit()
 
     assert successful_check  # if at least one license is ok, this should be true.
 
@@ -266,7 +271,7 @@ def test_license_type_dummy(mapdl):
 @requires("nostudent")
 def test_remove_temp_files(mapdl):
     """Ensure the working directory is removed when run_location is not set."""
-    mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+    mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
         port=mapdl.port + 1,
         remove_temp_files=True,
         start_timeout=start_timeout,
@@ -274,8 +279,8 @@ def test_remove_temp_files(mapdl):
     )
 
     # possible MAPDL is installed but running in "remote" mode
-    path = mapdl.directory
-    mapdl.exit()
+    path = mapdl_.directory
+    mapdl_.exit()
 
     tmp_dir = tempfile.gettempdir()
     ans_temp_dir = os.path.join(tmp_dir, "ansys_")
@@ -289,17 +294,17 @@ def test_remove_temp_files(mapdl):
 @requires("nostudent")
 def test_remove_temp_files_fail(tmpdir, mapdl):
     """Ensure the working directory is not removed when the cwd is changed."""
-    mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+    mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
         port=mapdl.port + 1,
         remove_temp_files=True,
         start_timeout=start_timeout,
         additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
     )
-    old_path = mapdl.directory
+    old_path = mapdl_.directory
     assert os.path.isdir(str(tmpdir))
-    mapdl.cwd(str(tmpdir))
-    path = mapdl.directory
-    mapdl.exit()
+    mapdl_.cwd(str(tmpdir))
+    path = mapdl_.directory
+    mapdl_.exit()
     assert os.path.isdir(path)
 
     # Checking no changes in the old path
@@ -753,3 +758,82 @@ def test_launcher_start_instance(monkeypatch, start_instance):
         monkeypatch.delenv("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE")
     options = launch_mapdl(start_instance=start_instance, _debug_no_launch=True)
     assert start_instance == options["start_instance"]
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("start_instance", [None, True, False])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("start_instance_envvar", [None, True, False])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("ip", [None, "", "123.1.1.1"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("ip_envvar", [None, "", "123.1.1.1"])
+def test_ip_and_start_instance(
+    monkeypatch, start_instance, start_instance_envvar, ip, ip_envvar
+):
+    # start_instance=False
+    # start_instance_envvar=True
+    # ip=""
+    # ip_envvar="123.1.1.1"
+
+    # For more information, visit https://github.com/ansys/pymapdl/issues/2910
+    if "PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE" in os.environ:
+        monkeypatch.delenv("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE")
+
+    if start_instance_envvar is not None:
+        monkeypatch.setenv("PYMAPDL_START_INSTANCE", str(start_instance_envvar))
+    if ip_envvar is not None:
+        monkeypatch.setenv("PYMAPDL_IP", str(ip_envvar))
+
+    start_instance_is_true = start_instance_envvar is True or (
+        start_instance_envvar is None and (start_instance is True)
+    )
+
+    ip_is_true = bool(ip_envvar) or (
+        (ip_envvar is None or ip_envvar == "") and bool(ip)
+    )
+
+    exceptions = start_instance_envvar is None and start_instance is None and ip_is_true
+
+    if (start_instance_is_true and ip_is_true) and not exceptions:
+        with pytest.raises(
+            ValueError,
+            match="When providing a value for the argument 'ip', the argument ",
+        ):
+            options = launch_mapdl(
+                start_instance=start_instance, ip=ip, _debug_no_launch=True
+            )
+
+        return  # Exit
+
+    if (
+        isinstance(start_instance_envvar, bool) and isinstance(start_instance, bool)
+    ) or (ip_envvar and ip):
+        with pytest.warns(UserWarning):
+            options = launch_mapdl(
+                start_instance=start_instance, ip=ip, _debug_no_launch=True
+            )
+    else:
+        with warnings.catch_warnings():
+            options = launch_mapdl(
+                start_instance=start_instance, ip=ip, _debug_no_launch=True
+            )
+
+    if start_instance_envvar is True:
+        assert options["start_instance"] is True
+    elif start_instance_envvar is False:
+        assert options["start_instance"] is False
+    else:
+        if start_instance is None:
+            if ip_envvar or bool(ip):
+                assert not options["start_instance"]
+            else:
+                assert options["start_instance"]
+        elif start_instance is True:
+            assert options["start_instance"]
+        else:
+            assert not options["start_instance"]
+
+    if ip_envvar:
+        assert options["ip"] == ip_envvar
+    else:
+        if ip:
+            assert options["ip"] == ip
+        else:
+            assert options["ip"] in (LOCALHOST, "0.0.0.0")
diff --git a/tests/test_licensing.py b/tests/test_licensing.py
index def8e3a383..2e77a80e98 100644
--- a/tests/test_licensing.py
+++ b/tests/test_licensing.py
@@ -182,20 +182,21 @@ def test_license_checker(tmpdir, license_checker):
 
 @requires("local")
 @skip_no_lic_bin
-def test_check_license_file(tmpdir):
+def test_check_license_file(mapdl, tmpdir):
     timeout = 15
     checker = licensing.LicenseChecker(timeout=timeout)
     # start the license check in the background
     checker.start(checkout_license=False)
 
     try:
-        mapdl = launch_mapdl(
+        mapdl_ = launch_mapdl(
             license_server_check=False,
             start_timeout=timeout,
             additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+            port=mapdl.port + 1,
         )
-        assert mapdl._local
-        mapdl.exit()
+        assert mapdl_._local
+        mapdl_.exit()
     except IOError:  # MAPDL never started
         assert not checker._license_file_success
     else:
diff --git a/tests/test_mapdl.py b/tests/test_mapdl.py
index f013bfd04c..60337e23a3 100644
--- a/tests/test_mapdl.py
+++ b/tests/test_mapdl.py
@@ -1266,6 +1266,7 @@ def test_get_file_path(mapdl, tmpdir):
     assert fobject not in mapdl.list_files()
     assert fobject not in os.listdir()
 
+    prev = mapdl._local
     mapdl._local = True
     fname_ = mapdl._get_file_path(fobject)
     assert fname in fname_
@@ -1277,6 +1278,8 @@ def test_get_file_path(mapdl, tmpdir):
     # If we are not in local, now it should have been uploaded
     assert fname in mapdl.list_files()
 
+    mapdl._local = prev
+
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "option2,option3,option4",
@@ -1286,7 +1289,7 @@ def test_get_file_path(mapdl, tmpdir):
         ("expdata", "dat", "DIR"),
     ],
 )
-def test_tbft(mapdl, tmpdir, option2, option3, option4):
+def test_tbft(mapdl, cleared, tmpdir, option2, option3, option4):
     fname = "expdata.dat"
     dirpath = tmpdir.mkdir("tmpdir")
     fpath = dirpath.join(fname)
@@ -1305,12 +1308,16 @@ def test_tbft(mapdl, tmpdir, option2, option3, option4):
     else:
         option2 = os.path.join(dirpath, option2)
 
-    mapdl.prep7(mute=True)
+    mapdl.prep7()
     mat_id = mapdl.get_value("MAT", 0, "NUM", "MAX") + 1
-    mapdl.tbft("FADD", mat_id, "HYPER", "MOONEY", "3", mute=True)
-    mapdl.tbft("EADD", mat_id, "UNIA", option2, option3, option4, "", "", "", mute=True)
+    output = mapdl.tbft("FADD", mat_id, "HYPER", "MOONEY", "3")
+    assert "Successfully Constructed Material Model" in output
+    output = mapdl.tbft("EADD", mat_id, "UNIA", option2, option3, option4, "", "", "")
+    assert "Successfully Constructed Material Model" in output
 
-    assert fname in mapdl.list_files()
+    # with pytest.warns(UserWarning):
+    #     # checking warning if overwriting
+    #     mapdl.tbft("FADD", mat_id, "HYPER", "MOONEY", "3")
 
 
 def test_tbft_not_found(mapdl):
@@ -1485,8 +1492,9 @@ def test_mpfunctions(mapdl, cube_solve, capsys):
         mapdl.mpread(fname="dummy", ext="dummy", lib="something")
 
     # Test suppliying a dir path when in remote
-    with pytest.raises(IOError):
-        mapdl.mpwrite("/test_dir/test", "mp")
+    if not ON_LOCAL:
+        with pytest.raises(IOError):
+            mapdl.mpwrite("/test_dir/test", "mp")
 
 
 def test_mapdl_str(mapdl):
@@ -1515,7 +1523,7 @@ def test_file_command_local(mapdl, cube_solve, tmpdir):
     with pytest.raises(FileNotFoundError):
         mapdl.file("potato")
 
-    assert rst_file in mapdl.list_files()
+    assert os.path.basename(rst_file) in mapdl.list_files()
     rst_fpath = os.path.join(mapdl.directory, rst_file)
 
     # change directory
@@ -1851,7 +1859,7 @@ def test_cache_pids(mapdl):
     mapdl._cache_pids()  # Recache pids
 
     for each in mapdl._pids:
-        assert "ansys" in "".join(psutil.Process(each).cmdline())
+        assert "ansys" in "".join(psutil.Process(each).cmdline()).lower()
 
 
 @requires("local")
@@ -1942,7 +1950,9 @@ def test_igesin_whitespace(mapdl, cleared, tmpdir):
 @requires("nostudent")
 def test_save_on_exit(mapdl, cleared):
     mapdl2 = launch_mapdl(
-        license_server_check=False, additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES
+        license_server_check=False,
+        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+        port=mapdl.port + 1,
     )
     mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] = "initial_value"
 
@@ -1957,10 +1967,12 @@ def test_save_on_exit(mapdl, cleared):
     mapdl2.exit()
 
     mapdl2 = launch_mapdl(
-        license_server_check=False, additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES
+        license_server_check=False,
+        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+        port=mapdl.port + 1,
     )
     mapdl2.resume(db_path)
-    if mapdl.version >= 24.1:
+    if mapdl.version >= 24.2:
         assert mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] == "initial_value"
     else:
         # This fails in earlier versions of MAPDL
@@ -1974,7 +1986,9 @@ def test_save_on_exit(mapdl, cleared):
     mapdl2.exit(save=True)
 
     mapdl2 = launch_mapdl(
-        license_server_check=False, additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES
+        license_server_check=False,
+        additional_switches=QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES,
+        port=mapdl.port + 1,
     )
     mapdl2.resume(db_path)
     assert mapdl2.parameters["my_par"] == "new_initial_value"
@@ -2244,7 +2258,7 @@ def test_inquire_invalid(mapdl):
 
 def test_inquire_default(mapdl):
     mapdl.title = "heeeelloo"
-    assert mapdl.directory == mapdl.inquire()
+    assert Path(mapdl.directory) == Path(mapdl.inquire())
 
 
 def test_vwrite_error(mapdl):
diff --git a/tests/test_pool.py b/tests/test_pool.py
index daa178bc60..25b8e100c7 100644
--- a/tests/test_pool.py
+++ b/tests/test_pool.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
 else:
     EXEC_FILE = os.environ.get("PYMAPDL_MAPDL_EXEC")
 
-from ansys.mapdl.core import LocalMapdlPool, examples
+from ansys.mapdl.core import MapdlPool, examples
 from ansys.mapdl.core.errors import VersionError
 from conftest import QUICK_LAUNCH_SWITCHES, requires
 
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def pool(tmpdir_factory):
 
     if ON_LOCAL:
 
-        mapdl_pool = LocalMapdlPool(
+        mapdl_pool = MapdlPool(
             2,
             license_server_check=False,
             run_location=run_path,
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def pool(tmpdir_factory):
     else:
         port2 = os.environ.get("PYMAPDL_PORT2", 50057)
 
-        mapdl_pool = LocalMapdlPool(
+        mapdl_pool = MapdlPool(
             2,
             license_server_check=False,
             start_instance=False,
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ def pool(tmpdir_factory):
 @skip_requires_194
 def test_invalid_exec():
     with pytest.raises(VersionError):
-        LocalMapdlPool(
+        MapdlPool(
             4,
             nproc=NPROC,
             exec_file="/usr/ansys_inc/v194/ansys/bin/mapdl",
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ def test_directory_names_default(pool):
 @requires("local")
 @skip_if_ignore_pool
 def test_directory_names_custom_string(tmpdir):
-    pool = LocalMapdlPool(
+    pool = MapdlPool(
         2,
         exec_file=EXEC_FILE,
         run_location=tmpdir,
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ def myfun(i):
         else:
             return "Other_instance"
 
-    pool = LocalMapdlPool(
+    pool = MapdlPool(
         3,
         exec_file=EXEC_FILE,
         nproc=NPROC,
@@ -315,7 +315,7 @@ def myfun(i):
 
 def test_num_instances():
     with pytest.raises(ValueError, match="least 1 instance"):
-        pool = LocalMapdlPool(
+        pool = MapdlPool(
             0,
             exec_file=EXEC_FILE,
             nproc=NPROC,
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ def test_num_instances():
 
 @skip_if_ignore_pool
 def test_only_one_instance():
-    pool = LocalMapdlPool(
+    pool = MapdlPool(
         1,
         exec_file=EXEC_FILE,
         nproc=NPROC,
diff --git a/tests/test_xpl.py b/tests/test_xpl.py
index 6c98705f63..c6f26dbad5 100644
--- a/tests/test_xpl.py
+++ b/tests/test_xpl.py
@@ -80,6 +80,11 @@ def test_read_asarray(xpl):
 
 
 def test_save(xpl):
+    if xpl._mapdl.version == 24.2:
+        pytest.xfail(
+            "There is a bug (977113) on v242 which makes saving using XPL to fail."
+        )
+
     xpl.save()
     with pytest.raises(MapdlCommandIgnoredError):
         xpl.list()