Simplifying Multi-User SOLIDWORKS Implementations

Jared ConwayProduct Manager – NVIDIA GRID VCA

Simplify Multiuser SOLIDWORKS Installations

5 Steps to Setup NVIDIA GRID VCA

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Agenda

Introductions

Installation/Implementation of SOLIDWORKS

Current Installation Methods

NVIDIA GRID VCA Introduction

5 Steps to Implement NVIDIA GRID VCA

Summary

Questions

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Introductions

Jared Conway, Product Manager - NVIDIA GRID VCA– 9 years with Hawk Ridge Systems.– Also manage HRS’ Analysis Services group.– Previously held positions of Applications Engineer and

Technical Support Manager.– “Seen it all”, technical sales, training, technical support and service.– Mostly focused on Simulation/COSMOS but also dabbled in

SOLIDWORKS, with a focus on licensing, installation, implementation, hardware and performance.

– “Techy”, the guy everyone calls to fix their computer.

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Installation/Implementation of SOLIDWORKS

Installation“Installation of a computer program, is the act of making the program ready for execution. Because the process varies for each program and each computer, programs often come with an installer, a specialized program responsible for doing whatever is needed for their installation.”

Implementation“A product software implementation method is a systematically structured approach to effectively integrate a software based service or component into the workflow of an organizational structure or an individual end-user.”

True of all Software, Bane of IT, Necessary Evil in Modern Engineering Design Environment

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Installation/Implementation Planning Criteria

What software? (Just SOLIDWORKS or also add-ins or other types of customization?)

Number of users?

How many locations? (Can installation be centralized?)

Who will execute the installation/implementation? (Users? IT? CAD Administrator? Consultant?)

How will it be maintained? (And by who?)

How much automation is needed?

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Current Installation Methods

Individual Installation

Administrative Image

Command Line– Including Active Directory and Alternatives like SCCM

Resources– support.hawkridgesys.com– http://www.SOLIDWORKS.com/sw/support/Administration_guides/

servicepacks.html– SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal > Knowledgebase

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Individual Installation

Tried, tested and true.

Install from disk or download.

Source can be shared onnetwork.

Fully customizable per user.

Straight forward process, follow screens step-by-step.

Updates are done by user through download from internet.

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Administrative Image

For small to medium implementations but can be leveraged in larger or smaller implementations.

“Automates” the installationmanager.

Options editor allows user and implementation customization.

Updates applied by admin/IT,pushed out to user automatically.

Deployment can be automated, silent and pushed to client.

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Command Line

Not for the faint at heart, requires knowledge of script generation.

Requires every component and option to be scripted.

Use of Active Directory, SCCM or other tools for actual deployment is common. But does not support all products.

Scalability has potential to be greater than admin image.

Updates also need to be scripted and deployed separately.

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Current Installation Methods Summary

Recommendations– Individual > Small to Medium Groups, Implemented by Individuals– Administrative Image > Small to Large Groups, Implemented by

CAD Admin– CMD Line > Large Groups, Implemented by IT

Method Number Of System

“Touches”

Time Per System

Per System Customizati

on

Difficulty Up-Front Work

Individual Each High Total Low Minimal

Image Each, Potentially

None

Minimal, Potentially

None

Total Low To Medium

Medium

CMD Line Potentially None

Potentially None

Total High High

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New Installation Method – NVIDIA GRID VCA

CLOUD GAMING

GRID Gaming

ENTERPRISE VDI

GRID

Visual Computing Appliance

GRID VCA

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VCA, Visual Computing Appliance

CISCO ROUTERA Networking Appliance

NETAPP NASA Storage Appliance

NVIDIA GRID VCAA Visual Computing

Appliance

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NVIDIA GRID VCA Architecture

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Workspace ArchitectureTemplate

Workspace

Windows 7

Applications

Workspace_1

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

GRID template workspace created on demand for each client connection

Workspace_2

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

Workspace_3

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

Workspace_4

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

Workspace_5

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

Workspace_6

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

Workspace_7

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

Workspace_8

Windows 7Applicatio

ns

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Hardware Resources

GRID Appliance

4 GRID K2 Graphics Boards (2 K5000 Graphics Chips Each)

2 8-Core Intel Xeon E5 2.6Ghz Processors

256 GB RAM

540 GB of SSD Storage

10GigE and 1GigE Ethernet

Per Workspace

Quadro K5000 Graphics Card (4GB GPU RAM, 1,536 Cuda Cores)

8 Virtual Cores

30 GB RAM

60 GB of Shared Storage, 60 GB of Application Storage

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NVIDIA GRID VCA as an Installation Method

Installation manager level of knowledge or lower required

Single touch to setup the template for multiple users

Client installation is as simple as admin image deployment

Updates/maintenance are done in a single location

Per user customization is minimal but important aspects are controllable

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Additional Benefits of GRID VCA

Issues due to client system variability essentially eliminated.

Alternative clients, Mac, Linux, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Security, files can be added but can’t be removed.

CAD hardware consolidated, made available to all and on-demand.

Remote, could be accessed over LAN or WAN.

“Always fresh” system.

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GRID VCA Implementation Process

Really no different than any other implementation process.

Step 0, acquire GRID VCA(s) and arrange implementation with HRS so we can walk you through the process.

5 Steps– 1. Plan.– 2. Setup GRID VCA.– 3. Create template.– 4. Install clients and test.– 5. Maintenance and up-keep.

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1. Plan

IT– Rack space.– Ethernet cable and available port.– 2 static IP addresses.– Network information.– 2 120V or 240V power connections.– Keyboard, monitor and mouse.– Standard programs, list and copy to network.– Microsoft Office licenses.– (Optional) Storage.

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1. Plan (Cont.)

CAD Admin– Copy the SOLIDWORKS installer onto the network.– Document standard SOLIDWORKS configuration, file locations..etc.– Make sure SOLIDWORKS network license manager is running.

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2. Setup GRID VCA

Unpack the hardware and install.

Configure GRID networking.

Activate windows.

Randomize the MAC address.

Accept GRID VCA EULA

Set Operator Console Settings– Set 1 GPU mode, concurrent sessions limit to 1, set idle/timeout and

document.

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3. Create Template

Enable Maintenance Mode.

Connect to GRID VCA using GRID client. (More later)

Map network drive and copy installers.

Install supplementary programs like Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Flash, alternative web browsers…etc.

Install Microsoft Office

Install SOLIDWORKS

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3. Create Template (Cont.)

Configure SOLIDWORKS settings (Default for each new user).– Templates and other file locations.

***Accept licensing agreements and disable updates. Adobe, eDrawings, SOLIDWORKS…etc.***

Customize and arrange desktop.– Background, add shortcuts, hide/remove icons for programs not in

use..etc.

Disable maintenance mode.

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4. Install Clients and Test

Go to client machine, open web browser, point to GRID IP address, install client, configure user name, GRID IP and user experience settings.

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5. Maintenance and Up-Keep

Keep a log of user requests.

Plan and communicate downtime. (Similar to SNL Manager)

Put together training program on how to access GRID and internal FAQ.

When new SOLIDWORKS updates or upgrades are available, simply enable maintenance mode, update or upgrade the software, disable maintenance mode and alert users to the new version availability.

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GRID VCA Implementation Process Summary

1. Plan.

2. Setup GRID VCA.

3. Create template.

4. Install clients and test.

5. Maintenance and up-keep.

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NVIDIA GRID VCA Summary

Easily Access SOLIDWORKS From Anywhere, Anytime and Almost Any Device

Consolidate Your Hardware to a Single Location

Leverage Your Licenses and Hardware to Maximum Extent

Make Administration and Installation More Efficient

Consolidate Flexible Leverage Remote Convenient Efficient

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Installation Methods SummaryMethod Number

Of System “Touches”

Time Per System

Per System

Customization

Difficulty Up Front Work

Group Type

Implement

By

Individual Each High Total Low Minimal Small To Medium

Individuals

Image Each, Potentially

None

Minimal, Potentially

None

Total Medium Low to Medium

Small to Large

CAD Admin

CMD Line Potentially None

Potentially None

Total High High Large IT

GRID VCA Each Low As Required

Low/Medium

Low to Medium

8+ Users An Individual

or CAD Admin

Thank you for attending!

Your NameYour TitleNVIDIA GRID VCA

solution specialist: Young Voemail: [email protected]: 510.296.6537

product manager: Jared Conwayemail: [email protected]: 650.230.7006

Product Information: http://www.hawkridgesys.com/products/nvidia/

HRS Technical Supportemail: [email protected] (US): 877.266.4469telephone (Canada): 866.587.6803web: support.hawkridgesys.com

New & Existing Recorded Webinars: http://www.hawkridgesys.com/events/recorded-webinars/