Benchmark Factory - Could not start agent with Error code 10053. (4281839)

When starting local agent inside Benchmark Factory, the user gets the following message:

"Could not start the agent.
An agent must be connected before this job can be run. Please connect an Agent to Benchmark Factory."

Agent log file content:

File Opened at: (3/14/2010 5:53:25 PM)

Benchmark Factory Agent
Version: 6.1.1
Build: 228
Copyright Quest Software 2009
Error (Sun Mar 14 10 5:53:50 PM)  Error connecting to Benchmark Factory console.
Error (Sun Mar 14 10 5:53:50 PM)  Error code 10053.

1) Open the Benchmark Factory console.
2) Click on "Start | All Programs | Quest Software | Benchmark for Databases | Agent |Options | Settings" ensure the correct machine name or IP address works.
3) The "Error code 10053" is a Winsocket error. More information on the Microsoft website:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/204594

Check if you can ping the machine name or IP address from a different computer for testing purposes.
Also check if there is firewall on the machine bolcking the machine name or IP address.