Cracking the Vault

Vault Server 2014 Components installed

Operating System Windows Server 2012 Standard (x64)

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (64-bit) (If no version of SQL is pre-installed, SQL 2008 Server (SP3) build 10.0.5500 Express 64-bit, is installed)
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Browser
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Native Client
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Setup Support Files
• Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer
• Microsoft Visual c++ 2010 x64 redistributable - 10.0.40219
• Microsoft Visual c++ 2010 x86 redistributable - 10.0.40219
• Microsoft WSE 3.0 Runtime
• Autodesk Vault Professional 2014 (Server)
• IIS 8.0 Components

WebServer (IIS)

Web Server

Common HTTP Feature

Default Document

        Directory Browsing

        HTTP Errors

        Static Errors

Health and Diagnostics

HTTP Logging

        Performance

Static Content Compression

Security

Request Filtering

Windows Authentication

        Application Development

.NET Extensibility 4.5

ASP.NET 4.5

ISAPI Extensions

ISAPI Filters

Management Tools

IIS Management Console

IIS 6 Management Compatibility

        IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility

If you need to uninstall the above and reinstall, do so in this order

1. Autodesk Vault Professional 2014 (Server)
2. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (64-bit)
   1. Database Engine Services
   2. SQL server Replication
   3. SQL Client Connectivity SDK
3. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Native Client
4. Microsoft Visual c++ 2010 x64 redistributable - 10.0.40219
5. Microsoft Visual c++ 2010 x86 redistributable - 10.0.40219
6. Microsoft WSE 3.0 Runtime
7. Web Server (IIS)
   1. .NET Framework 3.5 Features
   2. .NET Framework 4.5 Features
8. Restart\recycle the machine

Replication - Restore To The Same Computer Names

No doubt, all readers of this blog will be aware of the Backup and Restore Autodesk Vault document, that should be used to back up a replicated environment. Of particular interest is the line...

“Restore Process

A restore should be perform on a computer with the same name as the original computer.”

 

This has caveat has raised some interest from customers wishing to validate their backups in a test system. However, this restriction is enforced by Microsoft SQL Server and can be referenced to this statement.

"Replication supports restoring replicated databases to the same server and database from which the backup was created. If you restore a backup of a replicated database to another server or database, replication settings cannot be preserved. In this case, you must recreate all publications and subscriptions after backups are restored." Source: MS Article 151152

Vault Build Numbers

In the Help>About and Server logs is reported the build number of the version of Vault Server used.

This can help sometimes for you to confirm what version of the software is actually being used if there is some misunderstanding or miscommunication with the servers Administrator.

For example if they are trying to log in Vault 2009 from a Vault 2010 client. Looking at the log files on the server can tell you what version they are actually using.

Vault 2013 (RTM)	17.0.62.x
Vault 2012 (Update 1)	16.1.58
Vault 2012 (RTM)	16.0.56.X
Vault 2011 (Update 2)	15.2.66.X
Vault 2011 (Update 1)	15.1.58.X
Vault 2011 (RTM)	15.0.58.X
Vault 2010 (Update 2)	14.2.x.x
Vault 2010 (Update 1)	14.1.x.x
Vault 2010 (RTM)	14.0.63.x
Vault 2009 (RTM)	13.0.47.x
Vault 2008 (SP1)	12.1.145.x
Vault 2008 (RTM)	12.0.123.x

 

RTM = Release to Manufacturing, ie, no patches applied

Vault Licence Release Behaviour

I wanted to post this information because Autodesk Support are frequently asked to investigate why licences are not being released automatically following a period of client inactivity. So I wanted to share my observations in the hope that you may find it useful.

(Click the image below to enlarge)

A background process will run two jobs on the Vault Server. (appears in the ADMS Console, Server Tasks as "Session Monitor").

• SessionInactiveTimeoutInterval (default = runs every 30 minutes)
• SessionInactivityCheckInterval (default = runs every 5 minutes)

There are three states that the licence can be in.

• Active (Consumed by a client)
• Inactive (Consumed by a client and can be reconsumed by that same client but not yet in the pool of "available" licences)
• Available\Released (The licence is available to any client)

The licence will not become Available\Released, until the SessionInactivityCheckInterval process runs and detects that a licence is Inactive.

If the user logs out of the Vault Server or closes the client application, the licence is immediately Available\Released.

So using the above image as an example, a user logs in to a Vault Workgroup "Thick" client at 12:01 but then leaves the session inactive. At 12:31 their licence will become "Inactive", then running at 5 minute intervals at 12:35, the Vault Server checks what licences are Inactive and Releases them to be available to any other user. Between 12:31 and 12:36, the user can reclaim their licence. After 12:36 they cannot be guaranteed that they will get their licence back, requests for a licence will be subject to number of licences available. If the frequency of licence refusal is increasing, you should ask other users to log out, or if they are actually using the licences, purchase additional licences.

The same process also applies to the thick Vault Professional (VP) client. However, it will poll the VP server every 5 minutes for any ECO Notification (Hard-coded). This polling will ensure that so long as a user is logged into the VP Server from a thick VP client, the licence will never be released. The Vault Addin for AutoCAD will perform a similar poll in VW\VC\VP as it checks for updates to any XREFS.

Ordinarily, when a user logs into a licenced Vault Server from either a Vault Workgroup (VW) or Vault Collaboration (VC) "Thick " client or licenced CAD Addin, after 30 minutes of inactivity, the licence will become "Inactive". (As soon as the user makes any request to the Vault Server the "SessionInactiveTimeoutInterval" countdown is reset). 

Where Can I Download The "Autodesk Vault Professional 2012 Integration for Pro/ENGINEER"?

The "Autodesk Vault Professional 2012 Integration for Pro/ENGINEER", is one of the benefits given to customers who have purchased subscription for Autodesk Vault Professional.

To download the addin, login to Subscription Center. Click the "Product Enhancements" link and scroll down until you see the addin.

Log in and Log out of Autodesk Vault

Introduction to the Vault Interface

Introduction to Basic Vault Tasks

 

Advanced Configuration Guide for Vault 2013 is Now Published

The ACG for Vault 2013 has been posted here.

Where Can I Download Vault Basic Server 2013 From?

Vault 2013 Server should be included on the media for the Factory Design Suite, Product Design Suite.

However, for Subscription Customers, If Autodesk Vault is included in your subscription, Vault Basic Server 2013 can be downloaded from the Autodesk Subscription Center.

Login and under Downloads, click Product Enhancements,

Then click "Autodesk Vault Basic 2013"

You can also download the Vault Basic 2013 client application from here as well as have it installed directly from the Qualifying CAD App Install media.

For Partners, log into the Partner Portal, navigate to the "Vault Basic Server 2013" download from Training/Support>Downloads>Software Downloads>"Autodesk Vault & Productstream Downloads"