Installing Site Protection server software
A user account with Administrator rights is necessary for installation and operation on the server machine. Do not use the same machine as both a server and a client. The installer lists the installation system requirements and any known installation issues. To ensure a smooth installation, confirm that system requirements are met prior to installation.
System requirements
The system requirements for a server machine are less demanding than they are for a client machine running Vectorworks. See the Vectorworks website for the latest version-specific system requirements.
Network protocol
The Vectorworks Site Protection Server and Vectorworks Design Suite products require different operating environments. In general, use fixed IP addresses for the server machines. However, if they are located in the same subnet, the IP addresses of the server machines do not have to be fixed; connections can be made using automatically assigned IP addresses as well. Use fixed IP addresses for the server machines when allowing licenses to be borrowed; if server IP addresses are automatically assigned, clients may not be able to return borrowed licenses.
Server machine installation
On the server machine (and on the optional backup server), the Vectorworks Site Protection Server installation program installs the necessary components of the Vectorworks server software, and the software needed for the dongle protection key, if a dongle is used. If no dongle is used, an activation code is required.
To install the server software on the server machine:
Launch the executable.
The Vectorworks Site Protection Server Setup dialog box opens. Using the default settings is recommended.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
|
Parameter |
Description |
|
RLM port number |
Normally, leave the recommended assigned port number, 5053 |
|
Web port number |
Normally, leave the recommended assigned port number, 5054 |
|
ISV port number |
Normally, leave blank to assign the next randomly open port number |
|
ISV startup delay |
Delays the startup time of the ISV server by the specified number of seconds. This allows time for the IP address to be acquired for license verification, and also for any dongle drivers to be located. |
|
Run Vectorworks Site Protection Server after installation (Mac only) |
Launches the server software when installation is complete |
|
Add the application to Windows Firewall exception list (Windows only) |
Avoids communication errors by allowing the application to transmit information through the ports without generating firewall warnings |
|
Start automatically with Windows (as a service)/daemon (Mac) |
Allows the server software to start up automatically and run as a background process |
|
Enable serial number broadcast |
Uses network broadcasting for the Vectorworks client installer to obtain the serial number automatically from the server, avoiding the need to enter the serial number multiple times for each installation of Vectorworks. If there is a problem with automatic server detection (which may occur in VPN or segmented networks), deselect this option and manually enter the serial number at installation. |
Click Next to access the Web Access settings.
The web user interface uses https for its web browser interface, which is encrypted by default. Enable the web interface so you can control server settings from your browser. If you have a certificate and private key, provide them in the Site Protection Server Setup. Otherwise, the RLM will generate its own key, along with a self-signed certficate to encrypt the connection for the web browser interface (this will generate warnings about an unsafe connection in your browser, which can be disregarded).
Click Next to access the license settings. Enter your credentials.
Click Install, and then Finish.
After installation, the Site protection System Menu icon is available from the Notification area of the task bar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) on the server machine. The most common administrative functions can be accessed through the site protection System Menu. If necessary, use the browser interface for advanced functions or for remotely controlling the license server when needed.
If the Vectorworks Site Protection server software was installed as a Windows Service (Windows) or daemon (Mac), the Vectorworks server software launches automatically when the machine is booted up, and it remains running. Otherwise, launch rlm.exe (Windows) or rlm (Mac) as described in Restarting the RLM server. On Windows, if the server software is launched as standalone (not as a Windows Service), the Command Prompt window should remain open, though it can be minimized.
User administration
For security reasons, you should set up an account name and password. At installation, both the Account name and the Password are set to admin by default; the first account created is always an admin type of account. After installation, open the web interface from the site protection System Menu so you can set up your password.
User Management allows you to set up other types of accounts with three different permission levels. See User management.
Other installation preferences
The server can be installed first, and the license information specified later through the Site protection System Menu. For activation by code, the license file is automatically generated. When a dongle is used for activation (in rare instances), the required license file is provided along with the dongle.
The Site Protection Server automatically updates the license at midnight, detecting what kind of license is in use and either reactivating or obtaining the latest license file. Port settings are maintained.
More information on the dongle driver software is available from Thales.
Setting up firewall access
To use internet activation, the URL is site-activation.vectorworks.net and the connection port is 80 (https).
High security environment (proxy settings)
Proxy settings are controlled with the environment variables HTTPS_PROXY and HTTPS_PROXY_CREDENTIALS.
Examples:
HTTPS_PROXY=myproxyaddress.com
HTTPS_PROXY_CREDENTIALS=username:password
On Windows, the RLM automatically detects the proxy settings from the operating system.
Uninstalling the Vectorworks Site Protection Server software
Select Vectorworks Site Protection > Uninstall from the site protection System Menu.
Choose whether to revoke internet activated licenses, which can then be installed on a different computer, or to delete the license files, logs, and configuration settings altogether.
