Revit and Your Computer Network

Is my Network optimized for Revit? Maybe? A real answer is more than a brief post can cover. These are a few things to avoid.

Don't...

• Put Voice over IP (VOIP)on the same server
• Put Exchange Server (email services) on the same server
• Put any other resource hungry applications on the same server
• Assume that because accessing Word and Excel files work great that Revit will be
• Buy expensive hardware (like Riverbed equipment) without investing in the implementation of it too
• Ignore server side patches and updates
• Trivialize computer networking and technology

For example, I've occasionally run into small offices that are using a workstation as their server (peer to peer). This is usually a bit taxing on its resources and the OS of a workstation is not optimized for concurrent users and sharing data as well as a server OS. It can be even worse if that workstation is expected to run Revit too. If that were the case then I'd expect to run into saving and "access" conflicts quite often.

Assuming we're using a real server for Revit project files we can still benefit from putting Revit projects on a dedicated server. Don't make Revit compete with resource hungry applications or, if using a dedicated server, any other applications. That's a recipe for "muffins that won't rise". Hopefully your firm has a great EyeTee admin looking after your computers and Network. If not, then consider changing your current situation soon.

Computer Specification Request

In response to an email I received today I'd like to ask for some feedback. If you are pleased with the current computer configuration you have please leave a comment that offers the highlights, maybe something like this?

Brand: MyFavoritePC
Type: Notebook/Desktop/Workstation
Operating System: Linux
CPU: really fast
RAM: wow that's a lot!
Video Card: swoosh
Hard Drive Configuration: Raid Array
Monitors: 12
Software: Revit, iTunes, Weatherbug
Comments: It's really really great!!

Feel free to add whatever you believe makes the computer really well suited for Revit. I don't want you to spend a lot of time but it would be cool to see if anything in particular stands out among those of you who have the time to respond. Thanks!!

Cloud Computing at AECBytes

AECBytes released an article, called "BIM and the Cloud", by Chris France, CIO of Little Diversified, discussing their technology shift to Private Cloud computing. Essentially they have high end servers and Remote Desktop Server technology providing anywhere anytime access to their IT resources to any of their staff and/or partners. That's an over simplification of the effort taken certainly.

It is a compelling solution for firms faced with remote staff, various offices, workstation performance and maintenance and other reasons. The article claims that they are the first AEC implementation of this approach but it doesn't say when they started doing this. Just to quibble I've been in at least one other firm that has been doing this for quite awhile but just hasn't declared it publicly. A consulting firm that I do some work for also has this set up now but not on the scale of these others. Regardless it is cool stuff and challenges the status quo as well as opening the door to many possibilities.

Check out the ARTICLE, it is well written and provides enough depth to help even a lay person get a good sense of how it all works.

Training Room - A Couple Options

In this dark period of layoffs and declining work (for some anyway) one of the first things to go is a training budget. Lots of reasons why this isn't a good thing since you now actually have some time to sharpen the saw so to speak, but those reasons would also be different post.

I imagine most firms would love to have a dedicated space for training. Most manage with a conference room takeover now and then. The other issue is computers. A firm spends some serious money on workstations and now they need to drag them into a conference room for a training session. This assumes on-site training. Some training organizations have a mobile training setup where they ship computers (usually laptops) to the office and then the students use them. This isn't usually a free service but I suppose some might be giving it away these days.

For those firms who typical drag computers into a conference room here is an interesting solution. One firm I know has a small collection of older laptops and some new models that don't demand the high price of their workstations. These computers go in that conference room they hijack for a week. Heres the twist, the users login and launch a Remote Desktop session with their very own high end workstations back at their desks.

No need to install software on the training computer for class, they just need an OS and Remote Desktop...usually already part of the OS install anyway. If you are interested in more detail just let me know and I can put you in touch with Long Nyguyen with TKA in Harvard, MA. It's his technique and he said it was okay to share it here.

Thanks Long!!

For those interested in an off-site solution and near a Microtek center you may need to look no further. I've done some training at their Chicago location a few times over the last couple years and they've been really GREAT! In one instance the client forgot to book the training room!! I showed up to, "What training session Steve?!?" We'll they managed to turn around a room for Revit MEP training complete with server environment for worksharing or ten students in less than two hours. We started just ONE hour behind schedule. I couldn't believe it, Awesome service and attitude!