Server connections

This command allows you to connect to the Pdm server as well as configure or modify a connection to an existing server.

Stages of use:

When starting TopSolid, this window is displayed.

Select rhe PDM server where to connect.
If you connect to a Pdm server, select the authentification type.

Windows Authentification: The Windows account and its password will be used. (This authentification is only available when using an Active Directory Domain controller and when connected to a Pdm server).

If you just have created the database, you have first to connect as "Admin" with the TopSolid Authentification, enter a password, activate the security, then give the wanted rights to the different groups and users of your domain. Now the users will be able to use the Windows authentification.
If the TopSolid users already exist following a migration to TopSolid 7.15 or higher, you will have to convert them as Windows users. (see Users conversion)

TopSolid Authentification: An account has been created by the Admin. By default, the created user is Admin without any password. After connection, a password will be asked.

Enter an user. (except if using a local Pdm server or a Windows authentification).
Enter his password if required. (except with the Windows Authentification).
validate.

The authentification to TopSolid by using the windows account allows to simplify the TopSolid Pdm administration. Instead of duplicating all information from the Active directory to TopSolid (Name, First name, E-mail address, groups, ...) TopSolid directly asks the domain controller.
When connecting to a new database, the Windows authentification is possible at the first connection.
With an existing database, the "Windows authentification" will be available as soon as all TopSolid existing users and groups have been converted. It means when their equivalent in Active Directory will be mapped.
You will always be able to connect with the user « Admin » by selecting the TopSolid authentification and by entering the login Admin and his password.

As for all Windows applications, it is possible to connect to TopSolid by using another Windows account. Use Shift + right click on the TopSolid shortcut and select "Execute with another user".
A new application for diagnosing machines (memory, disk, network, antivirus, etc. For clients and server) and proposing solutions when problems are detected is available in the program installation folder (by default C:\Program Files\TOPSOLID\TopSolid Diagnostics 7.19\bin\TopSolid.Diagnostics.exe).

Connection creation or modification:

Click the Server Connections link in the connection window.

The names of the connections already created appear in the list on the left.

To create a new connection, click the New server connection button.
To modify an existing connection, select it from the list, then click Modify connection.
To delete an existing connection, select it from the list, then click Delete connection.

It is possible to configure several connections to several PDM Servers. But only one connection can be used at the same time, by selecting the connection in the drop-down list of the connection window.

The connection to a local Pdm server is created by default. It is not possible to manually create it.

Connection settings:

Connection type: Choose the connection type.
Connection name: Enter the connexion name.
Protocol (Explanation of the communication encryption between TopSolid client and TopSolid'PdmServer):

The communication between the client workstation and the PDM server can be encrypted. By default, communication is via HTTP. It is possible to encrypt using HTTPS. On the pdm server, add the root certification authority certificate to the “Trusted Root Certification Authorities” store by clicking on the HTTP button (which will switch to HTTPS). You must also switch to HTTPS mode on client workstations.The certificate is not supplied by TOPSOLID or its resellers.

Address: Enter the server address.
Port: Enter the port. It must match the server's primary listening port (right-click the PDM server icon near the clock and set it up). The default value is 8086.
Workspace: Select your working directory on a local disk (by default c:\TopSolidPdm\connection_name\Workspace). This folder is also used for cache. Emptying the cache area allows you to delete files from the cache directory and save disk space.

The port defined above has to be opened in the firewall. (inlet and outlet)

Additional options / information:

Read-only mode:

This mode allows to start TopSolid without being able to modify documents. It can be used to consult or print.

Don't show at startup:

This connection window will not be displayed when starting TopSolid except if a password is required.

Libraries import:

During the first connection, it is asked to import libraries. If you answer YES, import time can take several tenth of minutes .If you answer No, only needed libraries like TopSolid Mechanical (for TopSolid'Design) will be imported. This library contains some templates, main matters, threading standards, ... The same type of libraries exists for other TopSolid modules (TopSolid'Cam, ...).

Select all libraries:

This option allows you to quickly select/deselect all non-mandatory libraries.

Libraries import mode at startup:

If you have answered NO or after an update of the application, during next connections, it will be proposed again a list of non-imported libraries. In this case, check the libraries to import and select one of these 3 options:

- Always ask to install available libraries: As soon as a new library or a library's update is available, it will be proposed.
- Ask to install only updates of installed libraries: If, during an update, new libraries are available, they will not be proposed in the list. Only updates for installed libraries will be proposed.
- Never ask to install available libraries: New libraries and libraries updates will not be proposed.

This kind of libraries import can be modified with the Tools > Options > PDM > PDM command.