Bentley Communities
Bentley Communities
  • Site
  • User
  • Site
  • Search
  • User
MicroStation
  • Product Communities
MicroStation
MicroStation Wiki Multiple Versions - Virtual Machine vs. Multi-Install for Testing Purposes
    • Sign In

    • -MicroStation Wiki
      • +Learning Tips
      • -MicroStation
        • +3D Printing - MicroStation
        • +Animation - MicroStation
        • +Archive / Backup - MicroStation
        • +Base Geometry - MicroStation
        • +Batch Processing - MicroStation
        • +CONNECT Advisor - MicroStation
        • CONNECT Integration - MicroStation
        • +CONNECTION Client
        • +Cells - MicroStation
        • +Change Tracking - MicroStation
        • +Configuration - MicroStation
        • +Coordinate Systems - MicroStation
        • +Curves - MicroStation
        • +Custom Linestyles - MicroStation
        • +DGN - MicroStation
        • +DWG - MicroStation
        • +Database - MicroStation
        • +Detailing Symbols - MicroStation
        • +Dimensions - MicroStation
        • +Documentation & Help - MicroStation
        • +Drawing Aids - MicroStation
        • +Exception - MicroStation
        • +FAQ - MicroStation
        • +Feature Based Solids Modeling - MicroStation
        • +File Access - MicroStation
        • +GUI - MicroStation
        • +General - MicroStation
        • +Graphics Display - MicroStation
        • +Groups - MicroStation
        • +Hardware / Input Devices - MicroStation
        • +Import/Export - MicroStation
        • -Installation - MicroStation
          • +Troubleshoot - Installation - MicroStation
          • -General - Installation - MicroStation
            • "The installation failed with error code 1642" when installing Bentley JT interface over localized MicroStation version
            • "This computer has not been restarted since this program was installed"
            • Can MicroStation V7 and V8 co -exist on the same workstation
            • Cannot download from Fulfillment Document
            • Cannot install NET 3.5 on Windows 10
            • Cannot install NET 3.5 on Windows 8
            • Cannot Uninstall MicroStation v8i - "The specified account already exists"
            • Configuration parser error
            • Does deployment image have to be created on the same OS as it will be installed?
            • Download in Google Chrome browser does not work
            • Download on Firefox does not start
            • error " Please install KB2999226 on your machine before initiating installation Microstation "
            • error "VBA not installed Fatal Error"
            • Error 1638 installing Prerequisite Pack
            • Error message after update: ERROR_WINHTTP_UNABLE_TO_DOWNLOAD_SCRIPT
            • Exception.log with I/O error sscloud.ma
            • How to download MicroStation (Software Download Page)
            • How to download the Prerequisites for Desktop Application such as MicroStation
            • How to Find / Download Dependent versions of MicroStation
            • How to Install Language Pack for MicroStation CONNECT Edition
            • How To Install MicroStation As Administrator
            • How to remove the Companion Feature Descartes from MicroStation CONNECT Edition
            • How to uninstall MicroStation and Post-Install Components silently
            • Installation does not continue even though KB2999226 has already been installed on the computer
            • Installation failed with error code 0x80070020
            • Installation of Desktop Pre requisites for MicroStation V8i on Windows 10 Operating System
            • Installation of MicroStation hangs
            • Installation V8i SS2 error 2738
            • Installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 without internet access
            • Is Package Cache needed?
            • Microsoft Windows Security Alerts on Windows XP
            • +Microstation (SELECT Series 3) Update 1 (08.11.09.357) - Issue with localised versions TN
            • MicroStation / PowerDraft did not uninstall
            • MicroStation CONNECT - How to create a Deployment Image
            • MicroStation CONNECT 10.00.00.25 will not install
            • MicroStation CONNECT Edition will not start
            • MicroStation could not be installed - error code 0x80070643
            • MicroStation error " no Disk in drive"
            • Minor version mismatch warning
            • Multi-Install, Windows installer error
            • Multiple Versions - Virtual Machine vs. Multi-Install for Testing Purposes
            • Operating Systems supported by MicroStation versions
            • +PowerDraft to MicroStation CONNECT Edition Upgrade Initiative
            • Release Candidate Notice
            • Repair/Modify/Uninstall a MicroStation CONNECT installation
            • Requirements for MicroStation CONNECT Edition Installation
            • Requirements For MicroStation V8 XM Edition [TN]
            • Runtime error 76
            • Runtime Error installing from CD
            • Side by Side Configuration invalid
            • Troubleshooting Installation and Activation Issues in High Security Environments
            • Unable to install product - Error 0x80070666
            • Upgrading to MicroStation CONNECT Edition
            • User attempting to install prerequisite 08.11.07.03
            • V8i installation paths
            • Where can I find the installation log file for MicroStation Connect?
            • Where can I find the installation log for my Bentley product?
            • Where can I find the Revit Plugin for i-Model?
            • Which ISO standard number is MicroStation designed according to?
            • Why are Random Folders created under All Users and Local User profile?
            • Windows KB Requirements
          • +Updates - Installation - MicroStation
        • +Interchange - MicroStation
        • +Interference - MicroStation
        • +Internationalization - MicroStation
        • +Levels - MicroStation
        • +Licensing - MicroStation
        • +Manipulation - MicroStation
        • +Markup / Redline - MicroStation
        • +Measure - MicroStation
        • +Mesh - MicroStation
        • +Models - MicroStation
        • +Multi-Lines - MicroStation
        • +OLE - MicroStation
        • +Other - MicroStation
        • +Parametrics - MicroStation
        • +Patterning - MicroStation
        • +Point Cloud - MicroStation
        • +Printing - MicroStation
        • +Programming - MicroStation
        • +Project Navigation - MicroStation
        • +Properties - MicroStation
        • +RSS Feeds - MicroStation
        • +Reference - MicroStation
        • +Security - MicroStation
        • +Selection - MicroStation
        • +Settings - MicroStation
        • +Sheet Composition - MicroStation
        • +Solids - MicroStation
        • +Standards - MicroStation
        • +Surfaces - MicroStation
        • +Tables - MicroStation
        • +Text - MicroStation
        • +UI Customization - MicroStation
        • +Units - MicroStation
        • +View - MicroStation
        • +Visualization - MicroStation
        • Welcome Page - MicroStation
        • +Accreditation - MicroStation
        • +i.Models - MicroStation
        • +ProjectWise Integration
        • +Raster - MicroStation
    • +Administration Wiki
    • +Annotations Wiki
    • +Bentley View Wiki
    • +MicroStation PowerDraft
    • +Programming Wiki
    • +Visualization Wiki

     
     Questions about this article, topic, or product? Click here. 

    Multiple Versions - Virtual Machine vs. Multi-Install for Testing Purposes

      Product: MicroStation
      Version: Varies
      Environment: N\A
      Area: Installation
      Subarea: General

    Problem Description

    How can I install and run multiple versions of MicroStation on the same PC?

    Background

    "I am a Cad Administrator and need to provide my company's users with support, including testing in multiple version of MicroStation. For example, I have MicroStation SELECTseries 3 on my machine while my company's users have SELECTseries 2 or 1. Sometimes it is necessary to have the same version as them to determine if an issue is version related."

    "EasyMultiInstall.vbs" was delivered with early versions of MicroStation V8 XM (08.09.04.88) through MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 3 (08.11.09.292). This file is no longer delivered starting in MicroStation V8i SELECTseries 3 Update 1 (08.11.09.357).

    Multi-install was created to address this. It was intended to be used to test a new version of a product before the new version was placed into production. I was never intended to be used to run multiple versions of a product in production. Because of this, the multi-install method was found to be deficient in production for a few reasons:

     1. The product is not registered
     2. Layered applications cannot be installed on it
     3. The multi-installed product cannot be updated , etc.
    None of these reasons are trivial and caused problems for users who did use the method to install.  In fact, the last point prior to etc. creates exactly the problem we attempted to solve with SELECTseries releases.  It's not possible to provide the update path and side-by-side installations.

    Solution

    A virtual machine (VM) can be used for testing purposes. It is a very effective, very efficient way to minimize all the issues that result from "side-by-side installations". It is a recommended to be used for testing of new builds before the build is placed into production. Virtual machines are not a certified environment for production purposes only issues that are reproducible in a standard and certified windows environment will be supported. It does work well for testing purposes.

    Additional Information

    It is understandable that this is a change from previous versions, but we believe for the better.  Suppose a user does a multi-install of MicroStation SELECTseries 3 next to SELECTseries 1.  The SELECTseries 1 components would be used for SELECTseries 3, creating a potentially unstable environment. This would cause problems in both production and testing. Components refers to the non-MicroStation MSIs which are installed when running the EXE.

    The decision to produce SELECTseries releases and allow for updates was to support an existing application stack.  For example, if MicroStation SELECTseries 1 and Bentley Descartes are installed and you want to install MicroStation SELECTseries 2; the update method allows you to install MicroStation SELECTseries 2 without disturbing Bentley Descartes. It also allows you to update to a newer release without having to migrate any customization that you have done. Changes to the workspace are automatically incorporated into the updated installation. This could not be done in the past when having to do a full installation of a product to perform an update.

    The consequence of this approach is that you cannot have side-by-side installations of SELECTseries releases.  This is not an arbitrary restriction imposed by Bentley Systems, Inc.

    See Also

    Administration Wiki - MicroStation V8i Virtualization FAQ

    MicroStation V8i Forum - Where is the Multi-install.vbs for Ss3 refresh?

      Original Author: Craig Calvin
    • installation
    • Side-By-Side
    • MicroStation
    • Muti-Install
    • VBS
    • SELECTsupport
    • EasyMultiInstall
    • 08.11.09.357
    • Share
    • History
    • More
    • Cancel
    • Craig Calvin Created by Craig Calvin
    • When: Thu, Jul 10 2014 7:19 PM
    • Andrew Bell Last revision by Bentley Colleague Andrew Bell
    • When: Wed, Jun 26 2019 1:59 AM
    • Revisions: 6
    • Comments: 0
    Recommended
    Related
    Communities
    • Home
    • Getting Started
    • Community Central
    • Products
    • Support
    • Secure File Upload
    • Feedback
    Support and Services
    • Home
    • Product Support
    • Downloads
    • Subscription Services Portal
    Training and Learning
    • Home
    • About Bentley Institute
    • My Learning History
    • Reference Books
    Social Media
    •    LinkedIn
    •    Facebook
    •    Twitter
    •    YouTube
    •    RSS Feed
    •    Email

    © 2023 Bentley Systems, Incorporated  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy |  Terms of Use  |  Cookies