If you are a SOLIDWORKS PDM user planning to take your PC or laptop home to work remotely, there are a few things you will want to consider.
In order to access a “PDM Vault” directly, you will need to connect to your “Work Network” just as if you were on site. This typically means using a VPN (Virtual Private Network), of which there are many possible solutions, both Hardware and Software based. The key factor to make sure everything works as expected, is to guarantee the Firewall on the VPN (both ends) is correctly configured to allow communications with the “License Manager”, “Database” and “File Archives”.
Please talk to your IT provider to make sure the following “Ports” are “open” by configuring Firewall Rules within the VPN.
In the diagram, the top row designates where a request is originating from and the vertical column designates which PDM component is receiving the request. The port number illustrated needs to be open in the Firewall on the receiving or listening side.
For example, a client clicks on a file within the vault in windows explorer. A request is sent to the SQL server to gather metadata. The SQL server will be listening on port 1433; 1434 if using SSL.
Please note that the default behaviour of the Solid Network License (SNL) Server is to use a fixed “inbound” Port with a random “outbound” Port. If this is the case, you will also need to change the behaviour of the SNL Server within the “License Manager”.
Open the “Tool”, then click “Modify” making sure the option to use a Firewall has been enabled, then “Reactivate”.
IMPORTANT: Please note Web2.0 is not suitable for SOLIDWORKS users to work collaboratively as it does not interface directly with SOLIDWORKS. It also requires certain services to be set up.
As always, if you have any questions relating to the points above or would like further advice and information on remote access for SOLIDWORKS PDM, please get in touch with our Technical Support team or call us on 01926 333 777.