• InfoWorks ICM

Understanding the workgroup database

As an administrator, you will be able to explain the advantages of using a workgroup database.


00:03

The workgroup database allows for a multi-user environment where all data is managed centrally by the InfoWorks Workgroup Server.

00:11

The InfoWorks Workgroup Server is a service that manages access to workgroup databases for InfoWorks ICM and other workgroup clients.

00:20

It is designed as an on-premise solution to improve the performance and reliability of database operations.

00:27

If required, databases can now be stored under group folders, but this is not mandatory.

00:33

Groups were implemented to allow local IT to better manage available resources at the database level.

00:40

Using a workgroup database is only a recommendation for single users, but is necessary in a multi-user environment.

00:48

When multiple users are accessing the same database, a shared location is necessary.

00:54

A workgroup configuration stores the files in a shared location, so that all the data and results can be accessed by all users.

01:02

The exception to this is the working files, which should be stored locally to the user.

01:07

For example, both User1 and User2 are able to work on the same model at once.

01:13

Once complete, User1 starts a simulation on their machine.

01:18

As soon as the simulation has been saved to the remote results location, User2 will be able to access the results from their machine.

01:26

The more users that are added to the system, the greater the advantage the workgroup becomes.

01:31

Furthermore, all data can be easily scheduled for regular backups, to prevent potential data loss.

01:38

Additionally, there are several performance advantages to using the InfoWorks Workgroup Server above a Standalone, including:

01:46

Less network traffic, since only changed data is sent between the Workgroup Client and the Workgroup Server.

01:52

The data is compressed, for efficient storage.

01:56

Because the Workgroup Server is the only process accessing the data,

01:60

it can be located on a disk on the machine that is running the Workgroup Server for optimal performance.

02:06

For more information on configuring the InfoWorks Workgroup Server,

02:10

including authentication and authorization options,

02:13

refer to the Workgroup Data Server Administration document on the ICM Technical Information Hub.

Video transcript

00:03

The workgroup database allows for a multi-user environment where all data is managed centrally by the InfoWorks Workgroup Server.

00:11

The InfoWorks Workgroup Server is a service that manages access to workgroup databases for InfoWorks ICM and other workgroup clients.

00:20

It is designed as an on-premise solution to improve the performance and reliability of database operations.

00:27

If required, databases can now be stored under group folders, but this is not mandatory.

00:33

Groups were implemented to allow local IT to better manage available resources at the database level.

00:40

Using a workgroup database is only a recommendation for single users, but is necessary in a multi-user environment.

00:48

When multiple users are accessing the same database, a shared location is necessary.

00:54

A workgroup configuration stores the files in a shared location, so that all the data and results can be accessed by all users.

01:02

The exception to this is the working files, which should be stored locally to the user.

01:07

For example, both User1 and User2 are able to work on the same model at once.

01:13

Once complete, User1 starts a simulation on their machine.

01:18

As soon as the simulation has been saved to the remote results location, User2 will be able to access the results from their machine.

01:26

The more users that are added to the system, the greater the advantage the workgroup becomes.

01:31

Furthermore, all data can be easily scheduled for regular backups, to prevent potential data loss.

01:38

Additionally, there are several performance advantages to using the InfoWorks Workgroup Server above a Standalone, including:

01:46

Less network traffic, since only changed data is sent between the Workgroup Client and the Workgroup Server.

01:52

The data is compressed, for efficient storage.

01:56

Because the Workgroup Server is the only process accessing the data,

01:60

it can be located on a disk on the machine that is running the Workgroup Server for optimal performance.

02:06

For more information on configuring the InfoWorks Workgroup Server,

02:10

including authentication and authorization options,

02:13

refer to the Workgroup Data Server Administration document on the ICM Technical Information Hub.

The workgroup database allows for a multi-user environment:

  • Managed by the InfoWorks Workgroup Server.
  • Designed as an on-premises solution to improve database operation performance and reliability.
  • Can be stored under group folders—allows local IT to better manage resources at the database level.

User files:

Workgroup database use is necessary for multi-user environments.

Workgroup configuration—stores the files in a shared location for multi-user access.

Exception is working files:

  • Stored locally for the user.
  • Results get transferred to database.

A diagram of a workgroup configuration shows InfoWorks Workgroup Server in a circle at the top, and below, User1 and User2 Local Machine circles connected to the server with double-pointed arrows. The server has labels of Remote Results and All .sndb, and the users have labels of Working files and Local Results.

InfoWorks Workgroup Server advantages:

Less network traffic, since only changed data is sent between the Workgroup Client and the Workgroup Server.

Data is compressed for more efficient storage.

Can be located on a disk on the machine that is running the Workgroup Server.

For information on configuring the InfoWorks Workgroup Server, including authentication and authorization options, refer to the Workgroup Data Server Administrationdocument on the ICM Technical Information Hub.

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