Doc Mgmt on Virtual Server

SUGGESTED

Is anyone already running 12.1 or 13.1 Document Management on a virtual server?  If so, which USB redirection software are you currently employing?  Any advice going forward?  Which server environment 2008 or 2012?

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    Thank you for your post Robyn!

    Although we do test Document Management in a virtual environment, we do not recommend installing the DocuVault onto a Virtual machine. Connectivity issues may occur with the "pass through USB technology".  If you wish to install your Document Management to a virtual server, some clients try to use VMWare as it has built in pass through technology.

    For those clients who are using a Virtual environment like HyperV or Dameware, they have to use a product like USB Anywhere.  We do test  this product and it is a 3rd party application.  This program in our experience tends to disconnect and needs to be rebooted from time to time.  This generally causes problems with the Cypress service staying started for the DocuVault Communication.  

    I hope this helps and can't wait to hear what other clients have to say!

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    Kaohu thank you for your information.  I also look forward to getting much more informaton on this topic as to what's working and what to avoid if possible.  Just to mention it, we are using Citrix Xenserver as our virtual environment.  We have been running all other business software in this environment for a couple years now.  Everything except Sage Construction 300 (formally Timberline).  Now, we are researching the possiblity of loading 13.1 including Doc. Mgmt. into this environment.  I understand and respect that you do not recommend the virtual environment for Doc. Mgmt.or endorse the USB Anywhere product.   However twice in the users guide and now here the USB Anywhere product is mentioned by name.   I originally asked this question of Sage Support and basically got redirected here to this forum.   Is the USB Anywhere product you mention to have tested by Intellidriver?

  • 0 in reply to Robyn Mack

    The USB Anywhere referenced in the guide can be found here www.digi.com/.../anywhereusb.

    The important part with the USB Redirection for DM is that it is a constant, always on connection so the DM Dongle is available at all times in Device Manager on the VM.

  • 0 in reply to Kaohu Ah Yo

    It's pretty much past due to get away from dongle technology. We have network licenses for our AutoCAD boxes, the software runs perfectly on virtualized servers and is relatively straightforward to configure. Marginal or half-baked support for virtualized servers is unbelievably short sighted in this day and age. Come on, if AutoDesk can do it, anyone can, their software is old/cranky/single threaded/cobbled together, as well!

    Regards,

    Brian in CA

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    SUGGESTED

    Hello Robyn, we have been running Sage Construction 300 (formally Timberline) v 9.8 on a VMware image using USB anywhere since about 2009. We stopped using Sage DM about three years ago but it used to work fine. I am now looking at this all over again since I am planning to upgrade the image to either server 2008 or 2012 with the latest version of 300 CRE.

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    I came upon this question by accident but will add that we are using Silex SX Virtual Link Hardware/Virtual USB to run DM on a Windows 2008R2 Hyper-V server...never disconnects.  I did need to put a small batch file in the start-up for this to work on reboot but probably could have fixed that issue by delaying the Cypress start-up as well.

  • FormerMember
    0 FormerMember in reply to Jeff Rudacille
    It's January, 2016 and those DM users that haven't migrated to virtual servers will soon. The dongle requirement for DM is unfortunate and should be reengineered. We use the AnywhereUSB device as a patch.

    Clint
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    We have migrated several customers to Azure servers but have not had anyone ask to move DM or Estimating yet. We have tested several options with this and prefer USB Anywhere, but are continually looking for other alternatives as going local to Azure may require a VPN.

    Ka’ohu Ah Yo - any thoughts on dongle replication and virtual USB drives on a virtual server? If the dongle software could be replicated and mounted virtually, that could solve everyone's issue.