Tekla Structures Multi User Server 23 20
Epicuro Kishore
This article is for Tekla Structures Multiuser server version 2.3 or older.
For setting up multiple instances of the Tekla Structures Multiuser server version 2.301s, use the following link:
Setting up multiple instances of Tekla Structures Multiuser Server
Question:
How to set up several Tekla Structures multi-user servers on one computer?
Answer:
To set up the second multi-user server (or more), you do not have to run the Multi-user server installer several times. Just create a new shortcut for the multi-user server:
The new multi-user server will use a different database file for handling the model changes. One multi-user model must always use the same multi-user server so that the system is able to keep track of changes. Agree with your users which models use which multi-user server and make users aware that changing the multi-user server is not allowed. Do not set up several multi-user servers if there is no specific reason to do so - one multi-user server can handle several models.
Make sure that computers running Tekla Structures can access the port you defined earlier (TCP port 1240 in the example above). For example, create a firewall rule that allows incoming communications on TCP port 1240 on the computer where the multi-user server is running.
When using the new multi-user server address in Tekla Structures, type the address in format server_hostname,port
where server_hostname is a hostname (or, alternatively, IPv4 address) of the computer where the multi-user server is running on, port - the TCP port you defined earlier.
For example, if your multi-user server is running on a computer whose name is my_company_server and the TCP port is set to 1240, then you should use the following multi-user server address in Tekla Structures:
With these steps you can try to verify if this is a network problem. Do the following steps on at least one of the client computers where some multi-user error message normally appears (IP address 123.456.7.890 should be replaced with the IP address of your multi-user server):
If there are plenty of Request timed out messages you can suspect that there is a network issue. This could be caused for example by a broken hardware on the network, such as a router or a switch.
If there is nothing suspicious in the Command Prompt, this is not a network problem. We can continue checking where else the problem might be. It could be for example the port, the multi-user server application, or Tekla Structures.
In some cases we have found out that disabling offline files in Windows Sync Center helps with weird multi-user connection problems. You find this setting under the Manage offline files in the Sync Center.
Answer:
The dbm_connect error is related to connecting to the database, in this case the multi-user server and the multi-user models. The error 9 means "duplicate client" and it is displayed because the server still thinks that the first connection is alive. Please check if there are users having several connections open to the same model.
The warning/error can be safely ignored (as long as there is less than 9 users with same username - which is usually the case).
What causes duplicate users?
It is possible to get duplicates in at least these ways:
1. Duplicate users are most likely caused by connection breaks.
This can happen if there are too short timeout settings on the firewall or router. The timeout should be "long enough" or infinite, if possible.
2. Someone else is already using the server with the same username or as "Administrator" (or something similar)
It is possible to kick out those users from the Active Multi-user list.
3. The error 5 and error 125 can also result in duplicate users
We are working with Tekla Structures and we now have a project where a central multi-user model is in Dropbox and the multiuser server is running on a server with a VPN connection. We faced an issue regarding saving, sometimes we lost all the modeled elements after saving. Are there any tricks we should know when using Dropbox for a central model?
Answer:
We strongly recommend you to stop using Dropbox as described above. Same applies to other cloud based file sharing services like OneDrive or Google Drive. Using these for Tekla Model Sharing local models as well as multi-user models is not recommended.
Tekla Structures multi-user server reserves the files while it is saving the model, but Dropbox shares the whole folder in a way that we cannot control. It is very likely that you will continue losing elements and even the whole model.
Answer:
You can also use the Tekla Structures multi-user server 2.5.0 with previous Tekla Structures versions. You can also change to the new multi-user server in the middle of a project. The drawing lock fix and IPv6 support are effective for Tekla Structures 2017 onwards only.
Question:
Is there a way to fasten the saving and modeling process when working in the multi-user mode?
Answer:
1. Check your network connection speed, because it can slow down the saving process significantly.
2. Check that your workstations comply with the latest hardware recommendations. A good processor can increase the speed.
3. During the saving process RAM memory use is significant. Tekla Structures is able to use all the available memory for the saving process.
4. The saving time may be shorter if you close down all the views of the model before saving.
5. If there are many system files in the network drive, saving may become slower than when using system files located on your own hard drive. A good way to speed up the saving is to set XS_PROJECT and XS_FIRM to a local drive and move most of the system files there. Each user should naturally use the same files to ensure similar outcome.
6. Running the multi-user server on the same workstation as TS has no advantage or disadvantage. The multi-user server itself has very low CPU usage.
7. If you have a hidden reference model which you do not need anymore, you can delete it. Large reference models can slow down saving and modeling.
Question:
When changing the server name of the multi-user server, is there an easy way to update all models to the new server without having to open each model and specify server name?
Answer:
When you have a multiuser model, Tekla Structures creates a file in the model folder called .This_is_multiuser_model. If you open this file in a text editor, it contains the following information:
Software can be installed on a server. The license server keeps track of how many licenses are in use at one time. When an application using network licensing starts, it first checks to see if a network license is available to use. If so, a license is then checked out from the pool of licenses. When a user exits the application, the license gets checked back into the pool making it available to other users.
The correct way to update the multi-user server software is to make sure that all users have closed multi-user models before doing the installation. If you are sure that this is what is done, you do not have to worry about this message. You just need to close the message with OK and save the multi-user model. Then Tekla Structures writes the new server database name tcpip_localhost_1238.db to the .This_is_multiuser_model file in the model folder. This message is no longer shown when you or other users open this same multi-user model the next time.
Question:
How many multi-user models can be handled on a single multi-user service?
Answer:
There is no exact recommendation on this. The multi-user service handles many things such as distribution of id numbers and keeping track of active multi-users etc.
If many users work with large models the network traffic can become quite heavy. In case all TS models in a company are assigned to the same multi-user service, the performance may become slow. Therefore it might be a good idea to assign the models to separate multi-user services. The services can be run on the same physical multi-user server. The number of multi-user services on a server is not limited but some users have reported that in practice the limit is close to 100.
Limit for multi-user services
See also:
Setting up multiple instances of Tekla Structures multi-user server
Tekla Structures Multiuser Server is a software application developed by Tekla Corporation to provide enhanced sharing capabilities to users of Tekla Structures, the 3D modeling software. This server allows multiple users to connect to a single central database, enabling them to work concurrently on a project in real-time, while ensuring all changes are synchronized across the entire team.
By utilizing Tekla Structures Multiuser Server, teams can collaborate together on the same model and avoid conflicts. Every user is able to see the work being done by others in real-time, meaning that modifications, updates and revisions are available as soon as someone makes changes. This keeps the team at the same level of understanding and ensures that everyone is working with the updated and most recent version of the model. Organizations that are looking to optimize their workflows will find this particularly useful as it saves time and reduces errors during the work process.
The Tekla Structures Multiuser Server comes with an easy-to-use interface which provides an intuitive experience for its users. Its interface has simple menus, tabs, and windows which are easy to navigate. A quick overview of the server's performance is provided through various graphs and charts, helping users to understand how well it is working for them.
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