PDMWorks - Timeout

[PDMAdmin]

Does anyone know what the standard timeout is for PDMWorks, and how you change it (or if it can be changed)? We have some users overseas who are trying to access our vault, but they can't log in. Our network gurus suspect it's because of the timeout function in PDMWorks, but they're not ready to buy Advanced Server -- yet.

Thanks for the help!

 

[ctopher]

What is Timeout? I have never seen it in PDMW.

 

[Standing]

PDMAdmin,
I go along with ctopher.
Try having them log-in under a users name that you have used to log-in with. You could create a new user called “NewUserTest” their password would be “NewUserTest”.


Bradley

 

[PDMAdmin]

There are several uses for it. It's primarily used to verify every so often that a particular user has a valid license for the product, but in this case our network guys think PDMWorks is limiting the amount of time that the client (overseas in this case) can communicate with the server (located in USA in this case). If that's the case, the slower overseas connection would prevent a successful login.

 

[PDMAdmin]

Bradley,

We have tried the login route. The problem is not that their logins are rejected; the problem is that they can't access the server using PDMWorks client. The overseas users have verified that they can access our server over the network, but when they go to login to PDMWorks, they're unsuccessful. The error they get is "Could not contact vault" or something to that effect. What this tells our network guys is that the problem is not network-related; it's PDMWorks-related.

 

[Standing]

PDMAdmin,

This is going to be a tough one. Let us know what happened when you get it fixed.
We do not use remote locations, so I have no ideas.
Thank you.

Bradley

 

[ctopher]

PDMAdmin: Have you tried contacting SolidWorks support?
If you have, what was their response?

 

[PDMAdmin]

Okay, I got a reponse from our VAR, who had contacted SolidWorks support. There is indeed a timeout function in PDMWorks. However, it cannot be changed by the end user, or even an admin. This was not surprising, since PDMWorks consists mostly of DLL files. Advanced Server is our only hope for doing what we need to do; we are getting a quote on it right now.

 

[Standing]

PDMAdmin,
I was told $5000 a few years ago. Please let us know what it cost. I was thinking advance server would help us, but could not prove it.

Bradley

 

[crimsonlake]

PDMAdmin,

The error you are getting can be caused by user access to the phsyical location of the vault files.
For instance I set up our vault directory called "vaultdata" that is on a partitioned server drive. Therefore my structure is f:\vaultdata.
The client users need security access to the folder and all of the directory structure abouve it. In my example they need security access to the "F" drive and the "vaultdata" folder. However it is not neccesary for them to have "sharing" access. This permits the PDMWclient to comunicate with the vault without allowing "back end" access to the vault data.

Chris

 

[PDMAdmin]

Bradley,

The number you heard was right on. Plus maintenance ($1500/year) of course. Not a small investment, to be sure.

 

[Standing]

PDMAdmin,
I did try to get some answers to if we should purchase Advanced Server or not. I was not given enough advantages to convince management that we needed it. I am still not sure as to what Advanced Server does for anyone.


Bradley

 

[PDMAdmin]

Bradley,

The general rule is that if you have to ask, you probably don't need Advanced Server. It's mainly for admins who want to implement more automation and notification within SolidWorks and PDMWorks. There's also web portal, but that's not a total substitute for actually having the client software.