Revit server setup

[jpdomein]

Hi,
We're setting up an Revit server 2012 environment, however until now nothing really seems to work.
Setup:
datacacenter --> revit central server win2008
office1 --> revit local server on win2008box; can't access the central server
office2 --> revit local server on win2008box as a separate domain; irregular access to central server

Veryfied the settings several times, can't find errors.

What puzzles me:
1 - is it neccessary to create users and or groups on each win2008 box?
2 - is it neccessary to setup a trust between different domains?

(if both applies than Revit server is a maintenance nightmare, setup alone is a terror)

Jan

[cliff collins]

Hi Jan,

We have a similar setup:

Central Revit Server at datacenter, Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit ( Virtual Machine ), in a Workgroup, no Domain.
Local Revit server at Office 1, Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit, on separate domain with users and group policy.
Local Revit server at Office 2, Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit, on separate domain with users and group policy.
Local Revit server at Office 3, Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit, on separate domain with users and group policy.

I believe DHCP is handled by the Firewalls, not the Servers. I also recall that some of the Servers are Domain Controllers, and some are not.
There are some trusts setup btwn offices / domains, to allow WAN access to file servers, but this is not required for RS to function, as I understand it.

All servers are connected via VPN tunnel via Watchguard Firewalls.

Make sure IIS is setup correctly per Autodesk's explicit instructions on each server.

Try pinging each server from each location to confirm that they are communicating.

Make sure correct ports are open on all servers.

We had outside IT help at each location during intial setup--which sped us up and got some bugs worked out early on.

We have had some issues connecting to the Local Revit Server, with either static IP addresses vs dynamic at local workstations.

Hope this helps.

[Scott D Davis]

have you seen the Wikihelp on this topic?

http://wikihelp.autodesk.com/Revit/enu/2012/Help/0000-Revit_In0/0076-Revit_Se76

It's may have some info to help you out.

[jpdomein]

Make sure IIS is setup correctly per Autodesk's explicit instructions on each server.
Done that, checked and double checked.
Try pinging each server from each location to confirm that they are communicating.
All IP's are pingable except Office 2, its blocked by the firewall
Make sure correct ports are open on all servers.
We have opened: ICMP, 80, 443, 808, 1818, 2020, 5222, 8080, the latter 4 have their origin in Bleustreak. Are more ports required?

Regards,
Jan

[cliff collins]

Why is Office 2 getting blocked? Can you open up a port or exception in the firewall? What kind of firewalls are you using? ( I hope not Windows Server Firewall?)

Looks like the ports you have open should more than cover it.

Do you have a VPN tunnel setup / WAN in place? I think this is critical.

[scott.settles]

For testing purposes, you could try disabling Windows Firewall on all the Revit Servers involved (I'm assuming they're all on 'inside' networks). A VPN tunnel is critical (again, 'inside' networks). The ports being used are 80 (web administrator) and 808 (client-server communication), as well as ICMP (ping between servers). There may be others, but since I just disable Windows Firewall via GPO, I haven't had to bother with them.

As for the trusts or user/group stuff, I have not had the need to bother with this yet. Our setup has been working fine... two separate companies, three locations, no more than a simple hardware VPN between FortiGate and ASA devices, with security set to only allow access between the Revit Servers. We haven't experienced any issues so far as each end of the pipe can access their own RS Admin for maintenance tasks.

[jpdomein]

Hi Guys,
we finally got it running.
Windows firewall --> disabled
Hardware firewall --> open for specifiq IP adress from Central server
Rights on Revit folder on both local and central server set to full for users.

Regards,
Jan

[Drew]

I noticed in te prerequisite doc that is says IIS 7.5 with Windows Server 2008. Does anyone know if this will work with IIS7?

[jasimtp]

How to configure Revit Server2013 Central Server and Local Server over a WAN

How to configure Revit Server2013 Central Server and Local Server over a WAN
We're setting up an Revit server 2013 environment
We have installed AutoDesk Revit Server 2013 in Central Server(Windows 2008 R2 Standard) and the Local Server (Windows 2008 R2 Standard) .
How to configure Central Server and Local Server for use with multiple offices over a WAN?
Please infom me Which is the Environment Varible value of following 3
1.Central Server
2.Local Server
3.Host
I know that environment variable is RSROLE2013 . Which is the value ? Is it Host,Accelerator,Admin for Central Server Environment Varible value?
Our issue is revit model not synchronizing from local to Central Server.
We can only Synchroniz from client to Local Server.
How do we resolve this issue?
Thanks

[Twiceroadsfool]

How to configure Revit Server2013 Central Server and Local Server over a WAN
We're setting up an Revit server 2013 environment
We have installed AutoDesk Revit Server 2013 in Central Server(Windows 2008 R2 Standard) and the Local Server (Windows 2008 R2 Standard) .
How to configure Central Server and Local Server for use with multiple offices over a WAN?
Please infom me Which is the Environment Varible value of following 3
1.Central Server
2.Local Server
3.Host
I know that environment variable is RSROLE2013 . Which is the value ? Is it Host,Accelerator,Admin for Central Server Environment Varible value?
Our issue is revit model not synchronizing from local to Central Server.
We can only Synchroniz from client to Local Server.
How do we resolve this issue?
Thanks

So, with 2013 there isnt a "central" and a "local" anymore, but there are "Hosts (formerly centrals)" and "Accelerators (formerly Locals)." The reason is you can set ALL of them to be hosts if you want. Then, you just need to list all of the Hosts in the RSN.ini on the machines. Whichever location is the "Host" for a Project will have the fastest load times, obviously, since the permission data is ALWAYS stored at the Host. Permissions arent replicated to the accelerators.

For the environment variable:

You want the Host to be set to: Host, Accelerator, Admin
You want the Accelerators set to: Accelerator, Admin.

If you want the Accelerators to ALSO be Hosts, set them just like the host above. Then you will see all of the Hosts when you go to file Open.

Does that make sense?