SOLIDWORKS PDM Backup

SOLIDWORKS PDM Backup is extremely crucial and require high level of attention before any data loss.

PDM provides a precise environment for designers to store, edit, view files, and safely keeps archived copies of these files on a central server.

Therefore, this prevents most potential causes of data loss on local user’s computers, also provides the controlled workflow so right person can access right file.

PDM also stores the data in encrypted file on server, to optimize the performance and prevent the potential loss of data during hard disk brake down

It is mandatory to keep backup of your PDM components.

Let’s first examine the components that should be backed up. These components are:

1. SQL Backup

   1. ConisioMasterDb
   2. Vault Backup

2. Archive Server Backup

   1. Archive Settings
   2. Encrypted Data Folder

3. Administration Settings Backup

**Things to Remember: –

1. The PDM Backup procedures are best done after office hours or overnight so that they are no check-in/check-out processes.
2. ** The data in the SQL database, matches the files in the Archive folders.
3. No local files going on during the backups, specifically for archive and database backup.
4. Failing to back these up correctly, may lead to permanent major data loss.
5. Theses backups then need to be copied, moved, or backed up to somewhere off the PDM server system.
6. This can be done with a 3rd party backup program or just copied to a USB external drive.
7. The first (SQL) and second components (Archive) should be scheduled to occur during the same time span so there are no mismatches in data.
8. Most Important it’s an organization equal responsibility to ensure all file backup are happening regularly (Technical hardware challenge creates major permanent loss of data).
9. Ensure proper SOLIDWORKS PDM Backup set before updating SOLIDWORKS /SQL for major release.
10. Contact PDM support or your local reseller in case of doubts.

1) PDM BACKUP: – SQL DATABASE

The database is typically backed up through SQL Management Studio.

SQL Management Studio available with SQL Standard or higher and is used by PDM Professional.

Similarly, PDM Standard uses SQL Xpress, which does not contain SQL Management Studio, but this can be installed separately.

SQL Management Studio is installed on the database server. Once you launch this application, you will need to login with the Windows or SQL Server login.

A) SQL Manual Backup

SQL backup can be schedule though Maintenance tab or we need to create a manual PDM Backup of following things,

1. ConisioMasterDb
2. PDM Vault Database

1. ConisioMasterDb

After logging in the SQL Management studio as SQL Server, Vault are seen in the Database.

Right Click on the ConisioMasterDb> tasks> Backup

As Shown in fig.

Browse for the file location by clicking on Add option and name of file.

You can keep file name must be same as the “ConisioMasterDb” with extension .bak

**Define extension as *.bak

2. PDM Vault Database

Follow the similar procedure for the vault Right click on the WPDM_CADinfield_New

(***PDM Vault Name) vault and Execute

Task>backup

Browse for the file location by clicking on Add option and name of file. File name must be same as the Vault name.

keep the Backup Type full. Process will complete.

Ensure Progress is 100% before close the window.

SQL Auto BackUp

Connect to the server

Back-us of the database can be scheduled through the Maintenance tab of Object Explorer

Maintenance tab of Object Explorer

To create a Back-up Plan, use the Maintenance Plan Wizard,

Right click and Select Maintenance Plan Wizard

Maintenance Plan Wizard Tool

Select Full Backup and Click Next.

Click on next and next

Then Select the Vault ConisioMasterDb and vault required to be back up

Click ok and next.

Then Select the folder location and backup report text file location where auto backup is to be executed.

Then finish the task

Task will be generated to the specified time.

B) PDM BACK UP ARCHIVE SERVER

The PDM Archive folder contains the actual copies of files in encrypted file format that users have checked into the vault these are physical files of the vault.

PDM Archive server backup also contains the Back up files of the vault settings.

1. Archive Server Settings Backup
2. Physical files Backup

For that Run the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server from the server.

1. Archive Server Backup files

Backup of Archive server can be scheduled by Archive server configuration Manager.

Click on the Tools option, then Backup Settings

Backup settings window will open, and it contains Backup File Location option and the vaults of which back up is to be taken.

Backup settings can be created for individual or groups of vaults.

Backup file named Backup.dat will get save in the Backup Location.

2. Physical files Backup

These are the actual encrypted files of the folders/vault.

For executing backup of these files.

Click on the “Start > Archives from the Archive Server configuration Wizard”

All the vaults with Database Server are enlisted here

To know the back-up file location

Right click on the vault (For Backup Vault)

You will see two options

• Relocate
• Properties

A) Relocate

Relocate the Folder to the required when we decided to change the location of Archive folder from earlier location to new location.

1. If you want to check the earlier location file for backup “Use Path Shown in Figure” as highlighted.
2. You can click Browse button and change the path if require.

B) Properties

Physical files location also be finding through Right Click on Vault name>Properties>Relocate

Copy this path to find out the location of the backup file.

of the vault will get stored in the specified location.

Folder Structure of Physical files backup as encrypted data

C) PDM BACKUP: – ADMINISTRATION SETTINGS BACKUP

SOLIDWORKS PDM Backup for administrative settings can be executed on either on server or on client.

The third component that should be backed up, is the Vault Settings. these settings essentially correspond to the nodes, you see in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration.

Run the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration

Login as Admin

Right Click on the Vault of which the administration settings are to be back up

*.cex file is backup of these settings. It contains Users name, Workflow, permissions, file card, folder structure,

These files contain all settings to restore the similar vault settings in case of losses.

***Things to Remember

Finally, 5 Backup files are generated

Take these files on a single platform

Complete Backup files contains

CONCLUSION

SOLIDWORKS PDM Backup It is very crucial, take a backup of Three component of PDM regularly to loss the major data loss.

However, Most Important in an organization is to have equal responsibility to ensure all file backup are happening regularly.

Finally,

Technical hardware challenge creates major permanent loss of data

 For any queries,

 Contact Us:

+91- 97301 40885

Aatmling Narayanpure

Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert & CAE & PDM Professional

aatmling@cadinfield.com