Overview

The ProjectWise Plot Server configuration consists of four components: the plot server, the web server, the database server, and the file server. Each component must be configured properly before you can use the product. A single computer can perform the functions of all four components or each component can reside on a different machine.

Configuring the file server component

The file server is any computer housing file storage folders for archived data. The file storage folder specifies the base folder where the archived data will reside. File storage folders can reside on multiple file servers. The ProjectWise Plot Server license includes one file server license.

Note: It is recommended that you create a specific account for use with ProjectWise Plot Server that has permissions to access the file storage folder and web storage folder. This same account will be granted "Log on as a service" user rights on the plot server. This account will be referred to as the "PWPS user account" in this TechNote. Make sure this user is a member of the Administrator's group.

The file storage folder must be a UNC share. Set the UNC share name in the Sharing tab of the Properties page for the file storage folder.

You will need to set share permissions on each file storage folder. Each file storage folder must be provided with a username from an account that has both Read and Write access to the share. The user account would be the PWPS user account recommended in the above note. Set the UNC share access permissions on the file storage folder in the Sharing tab of the Properties page for the folder. Set the folder access permissions on the file storage folder in the Security tab of the Properties page for the folder. You can configure ProjectWise Plot Server to use a separate web storage folder from the file storage folder and you can use multiple file storage folders. If you use a separate web storage folder or multiple file storage folders, you must create a UNC share with read/write permissions for the web storage folder and each file storage folder.

In summary, on the file server, the following steps may be performed:

1. Create the file storage folder
2. Create UNC shares with permissions for the file storage folder
3. Set the folder permissions to include the PWPS user account Full Control in the Sharing and Security permissions tab
4. Create the web storage folder
5. Create UNC shares with permissions for the web storage folder
6. Set the folder permissions to include the PWPS user account Full Control in the Sharing and Security permissions tab

Note: If the web storage folder is a separate folder from the file storage folder, you must create a virtual directory alias on the web server for each file storage folder as well as the web storage folder. This step will be covered in detail in the Configuring the web server component section.

Configuring the database server component

The database server is the computer with the database system installed. During archive creation, the Enterprise setup option supports Oracle (version 7, 8, 8i and 9i), Microsoft SQL Server (version 7 and 2000), and Microsoft Access databases. A single database is capable of storing multiple archives.

Oracle

You will need to create an Oracle user on the database server. Each user account should have the UNLIMITED TABLESPACE privilege or the DBA will need to set up a specific tablespace quota. This allows the archive user account to utilize all of the tablespace for archive storage. It is for this reason that the Oracle DBA may want to create a new tablespace for plot archives only. By default, Oracle creates a SYSTEM and a USERS tablespace. It is recommended that if the DBA does not create a specific tablespace for plot archives, that the USERS tablespace be used. The Oracle user will need to be granted connect and resource privileges.

Microsoft SQL Server

Create a Microsoft SQL database for use with the ProjectWise Plot Server. It is the responsibility of the customer's DBA to create a valid, working SQL database. Add a login to be used for creating the DSN.

Microsoft Access

Copy the template database file to the file storage folder. The template database file is located in Program Files\ProjectWise Plot Server\webtemplate and is called ipsdbseed.mdb. You can rename this file once it is in the file storage folder to match the archive name but this is not required.

Configuring the web server component

The web server is the computer with the necessary Microsoft Internet/Web management software components (i.e. Internet Information Server (IIS) 5.0 or later). The web server hosts web client connections that access the digital archives. The ProjectWise Plot Server license includes one web server license. You may need to load Internet Information Server (IIS) manually.

On Windows 2000, go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. Select Add/Remove Windows Components. Place a check by Internet Information Services (IIS) and select Next. Complete the installation. Reboot.

On Windows 2003, go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. Select Add/Remove Windows Components. Select Application Server, then select Details. Place a check by Internet Information Services (IIS)and select OK. Then select Next and complete the installation. Reboot.

To create the Virtual Directory Alias, the following steps must be performed on the web server:

  1. Create the Virtual Directory Alias (VDA) for the web storage folder and any file storage folders. Start Internet Information Services.

On Windows 2000, select Start > Settings > Control Panel. Select Administrative Tools. Select Internet Services Manager. The Internet Information Services dialog will display.

On Windows 2003, select Start > Administrative Tools > Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. TheInternet Information Services (IIS) Manager dialog will display.

Expand the list. Right-click on Default Web Site, select New - Virtual Directory. The Virtual Directory Creation Wizard dialog will display.

Select Next. Enter the name of the virtual directory alias and select Next.

Enter the path of the web storage folder. Select Next.

If the Path is a UNC path (i.e. \\computer\sharename), you will be prompted to enter a username/password as follows:

Make sure Read and Run scripts are selected, select Next. If you will be using redlining, you will need to selectExecute.

Click Finish to dismiss the Virtual Directory Creation Wizard dialog.

Windows 2003 VDA Properties

When using Windows Server 2003, the following properties must be set in IIS:

• Set Active Server Pages to Allowed:
  Invoke Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. Click the Plus Sign (+) next to the local computer to expand it's options. Select Web Server Extensions. On the right frame, select Active Server Pages. To setActive Server Pages to Allowed, select the Allow button on the left.
• Enable parent paths:
  Right-click on the VDA for the web store and then click Properties. On the Virtual Directory tab, click theConfiguration button. On the Options tab, check Enable parent paths. Select OK.
• Allow anonymous access:
  On the Directory Security tab, click the Edit button under Authentication and access control. Check Enable anonymous access and then specify the PWPS user account name and password created earlier. SelectOK. You will be prompted to re-enter the password again. Select OK.
• To view ProjectWise Plot Set (IPS) links from ProjectWise Plot web pages:
  On the HTTP Headers tab, click the MIME types button. Click New. Type .ips for the Extension and ProjectWise Plot Organizer Document for the MIME type, and then click OK. Click New. Type .dpr for the Extension and image/Digital Print Room Rendition for the MIME type, and then click OK. Click OK to dismiss the MIME Types dialog.

ProjectWise Plot Server Web Utility

If the web server is a different machine than the plot server, the ProjectWise Plot Server Web Utility must be installed.

On the plot server, share the folder Program Files\ProjectWise Plot Server\dprweb. From the web server, connect to the shared folder on the plot server. Double-click setupDPRWebUtility.exe. Follow any instructions that appear during setup.

System DSN

If the web server is a different machine than the plot server, create a System Data Source Name (DSN) for the database. Make sure the DSN on the plot server and the web server have the same DSN names. See Configuring the plot server component - step 4 for more information on creating the system DSN.

Configuring the plot server component

The plot server is the computer that has ProjectWise Plot Server installed. The plot server processes plot jobs from ProjectWise Plotting Organizer client nodes and sends the data to a digital archive and/or to a printing device. The following steps must be performed on the plot server:

1. Install the ProjectWise Plot Server software.

   Note: When installing ProjectWise Plot Server 8.9, the installation will check to make sure the MicroStation V8 XM Edition Software Prerequisite Pack is installed. If it is not installed, you will need to install this first before continuing.

   During the ProjectWise Plot Server installation, you will be prompted to key in the SELECT Server licensing information (see dialog below):

    

   All of Bentley's XM Edition applications are licensed exclusively through SELECT Server V8 XM Edition. Licensing of XM-based applications is no longer a real-time activity. Licensed applications do not need a constant connection to the license server, as long as they can connect at least once every 30 days. The primary goal is to ensure that the user is never shut out of the application.

   Product Activation is the act of authenticating a product for entitled use. An XM Edition application typically has three states - Evaluation, Activated, and Deactivated. The Evaluation period begins with the installation and ends after 30 days or with Activation, which ever comes first. An application is Activated when it is licensed.

   ProjectWise Plotting applications can be Activated during installation, or after installation by using theLicense Management Tool. When you install the first Bentley V8 XM application, a dialog displays to capture product Activation information.

   You are prompted to enter a SELECT server name and a Site Activation Key. Once this information is captured, this dialog will not be presented when installing future XM products. For information on obtaining a Site Activation Key, contact Sales Support.

   If you do not Activate an XM product during installation, you can use the License Management Toolto Activate the application. A plotting application will work properly during the 30 day Evaluation period. If a plotting application is not Activated before the Evaluation period ends (30 days), prints and published PDF documents will contain watermarks.

   ProjectWise Plotting applications deliver a License Management Tool on the ProjectWise Plotting program group. You can use this tool to Activate your XM application. From the License Management Tool, select Tools > Options to display the above dialog.

    

2. Configure the file server and web server license.

   On Windows 2000, select Start > Programs > Bentley > ProjectWise Plotting Utilities > ProjectWise Plot Server Configure.

   On Windows 2003, select Start > All Programs > Bentley > ProjectWise Plotting Utilities > ProjectWise Plot Server Configure.

   The ProjectWise Plot Server Configure dialog will display.

   

   Select Licenses. The ProjectWise Plot Server - Licenses dialog will display. Select File Server License. The ProjectWise Plot Server - File Servers License dialog will display. Select Accept. The ProjectWise Plot Server - File Servers Configuration Utility will display. Select Add Server. The ProjectWise Plot Server - Add Server dialog will appear. Enter the name of the file server. Select OK. The ProjectWise Plot Server - File Servers Configuration Utility will display with the new computer listed as a licensed file server.

    

   Select Close. Perform the same steps for the web server even though it may be the same computer. Each ProjectWise Plot Server license provides a license for one file server and one web server.

    

3. Run dcomcnfg. dcomcnfg is a Microsoft delivered utility which enables administrators to configure DCOM security on the computer for all applications which do not set security. Running the dcomcnfg utility is necessary for Archive Explorer to perform operations like viewing remote Enterprise archives, searching for remote plot sets and sheets, and populating an Enterprise archive from remote machines. To run thedcomcnfg utility, select Start > Run and key in dcomcnfg.

   Windows 2000 DCOMCNFG

   On Windows 2000, the Distributed COM Configuration Properties dialog will display. Select DPRArchServand select Properties.

   

   The DPRArchServ Properties dialog will display. Select the Security tab.

    

   Select Use custom access permissions and select Edit. Add Everyone and set Allow Access. Select OK.

    

   Select Use custom launch permissions and select Edit. Add Everyone and set Allow Launch. Select OK.

    

   Select Use custom configuration permissions and select Edit. Add Everyone and set Read. Select OK.

    

   Select the Identity tab. Enter the PWPS user created earlier that has access to the file storage folders. SelectThis user and enter the appropriate username/password.

   

   DCOMCNFG does not validate the user and password information. It is important that you type the user and password correctly. The user account must also have read/write access to each file storage folder. Entering a domain user which is also a local user may cause conflicts when launching DPRArchServ. For best results, make sure the domain account you enter is unique.

   Windows 2003 DCOMCNFG

   On Windows 2003 SP 1, the Component Services dialog will display. Expand the following: Component Services > Computers > My Computer > DCOM Config.

    

   Select DPRArchServ and right-click Properties. The DPRArchServ Properties dialog will display. Select theSecurity tab.

    

   Under Launch and Activation Permissions, select Customize and select Edit. Add Everyone and set Allowfor Local Launch and Local Activation. Note: If you will be connecting to this archive server from another archive server using Archive Explorer, you will need Remote Launch and Remote Activation set forEveryone. Select OK.

    

   Under Access Permissions, select Customize and select Edit. Add Everyone and set Allow for Local Access. Note: If you will be connecting to this archive server from another archive server using Archive Explorer, you will need Remote Access for Everyone. Select OK.

    

   Under Configuration Permissions, select Customize and select Edit. Add Everyone and set Read. SelectOK.

    

   Select the Identity tab. Enter the PWPS user created earlier that has access to the file storage folders. SelectThis user and enter the appropriate username/password.

    

   DCOMCNFG does not validate the user and password information. It is important that you type the user and password correctly. Remember this user account must also have read/write access to each file/web storage folder. Entering a domain user which is also a local user may cause conflicts when launching DPRArchServ. For best results, make sure the domain account you enter is unique.

    

4. Create a System DSN for the database.

   Start ODBC Data Source Administrator.

   On Windows 2000, select Start > Settings > Control Panel. Select Administrative Tools. Select Data Sources (ODBC).

   On Windows 2003, select Start > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC).

   The ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog will display. Select the System DSN tab.

    

   Select Add to create a DSN. The Create New Data Source dialog will display.

   

   Oracle

   Select Microsoft ODBC for Oracle from the driver list. Enter the data source name and a description. TheUser Name will be the Oracle user created on the database server. The Server is the name of the Oracle service created when the Oracle software was installed.

    

   Microsoft SQL

   Select SQL Server from the driver list and select Finish. Enter the data source name and a description. Select the SQL Server to connect to. This should be (local) if the DSN is being created on the database server or select the name of the SQL Server from the dropdown list if the DSN is being created on a remote computer. Select Next to continue.

    

   Select With SQL Server authentication using a login ID and password entered by the user. Check the box next to Connect to SQL Server to obtain default settings for the additional configuration options. and then enter the Login ID and Password of the SQL Login account created on the database server for this DSN. Select Next to continue.

   

   Leave the default settings and select Next.

   

   Leave the default settings and select Finish to continue.

   

   Select Test Data Source... to test the connection.

    

   Select OK to return to the previous dialog.

    

   Select OK to continue.

   Microsoft Access

   Select Microsoft Access Driver (.mdb) from the driver list. Browse to the mdb database created earlier. If the database is located on a different machine, be sure to use the UNC path. Select OK to complete creation of the DSN.

    

5. Grant User Rights to "Log on as service".

   The user account for the file storage folder must have User Rights to "Log on as a service" on the plot server. To grant this user rights, do the following:

   On Windows 2000, select Start > Settings > Control Panel. Select Administrative Tools. Select Local Security Policy.

   On Windows 2003, select Start > Administrative Tools > Local Security Policy.

   The Local Security Settings dialog will display. Expand Local Policies and select User Rights Assignments.

    

   Double-click on Log on as a service.

   On Windows 2000, the Local Security Policy Setting dialog will display. Add the user account that has read/write access to the file/web storage folder.

    

   On Windows 2003, the Log on as a service Properties dialog will display. Add the user account that has read/write access to the file/web storage folder.

    

  6.  Create the archive.

On Windows 2000, select Start > Programs > Bentley > ProjectWise Plotting Utilities > Archive Explorer. On Windows 2003, select Start > All Programs > Bentley > ProjectWise Plotting Utilities > Archive Explorer. TheArchive Explorer dialog will display.

Select My Computer. Select Tools > Create Archive. The Create Archive Wizard will display. Select Enterprise. Select Next.

Enter the name of the archive to be created and a description. Select Next.

Enter the name of the web server, the VDA created for the web storage folder and the UNC share name. SelectNext.

Use the Select button to browse to the System DSN. For Oracle, enter the Tablespace name for the database and the corresponding Password for the Oracle user. For MicroSoft SQL Server, enter the corresponding Password for the SQL user. A username/password is not required for the Microsoft Access database.

The File Storage Setup dialog will display. Select Add to specify the file storage folder.

Enter the path to the file storage folder, the VDA for the file storage folder, and the username/password that has read/write access to the file storage folder.

You can add additional file storage folders if desired.

Next, the File Formats dialog will display. Select the appropriate options.

Next, the Optional Formats dialog will display. This dialog will allow any additional formats to be stored with the archive. Optional formats can be added to the archive definition at a later time if desired. Optional formats are not required to populate and view an archive.

The Plot Set Attributes dialog will display. Set the desired plot set attributes for the archive.

The Sheet Attributes dialog will display. Set the desired sheet attributes for the archive.

The View Hierarchy dialog will display.

The Review dialog will display.

Select Finish to complete the archive creation. The new archive will display in Archive Explorer.

Windows 2003 Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration

By default, Windows 2003 installs Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration. The presence of this component will cause the web pages to display blank. Remove Internet Explorer Enhanced Security Configuration using Add/Remove Windows Components.

Windows 2003 Plotting:

The File Pooling feature must be turned off before you can archive/print from the plotting interfaces. To turn off File Pooling:

1. From a command prompt, type regedit.
2. Locate the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \System \CurrentControlSet \Control \Print.
3. Select Edit > New > DWORD Value.
4. Set Value Name to DisableServerFilePooling, set Data to 1. Select OK.

ProjectWise Plot Server Checklist

In summary, below are the steps that need to be performed when configuring ProjectWise Plot Server:

1. Create the file storage folder on the file server.
2. Create UNC shares w/ permissions for the file storage folder.
3. Set the folder permissions for the PWPS user account for the file store.
4. Create the web storage folder on the file server.
5. Create UNC shares w/ permissions for the web storage folder.
6. Set the folder permissions for the PWPS user account for the web store.
7. Create database (Oracle, Microsoft SQL, or Microsoft Jet Database).
8. Create VDA for the web storage folder on the web server.
9. Create VDA for the file storage folder on the web server.
10. Make the necessary IIS modifications for Windows 2003.
11. If the web server is a different machine than the plot server, install the ProjectWise Plot Server Web utility on the web server and create a System DSN for the database using the same name that will be used on the plot server.
12. Install ProjectWise Plot Server.
13. Configure the file server and web server license.
14. Run dcomcnfg.
15. Grant User Rights to "Log on as service" for the PWPS user.
16. Create the archive.
17. Disable File Pooling for Windows 2003.

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

ProjectWise TechNotes And FAQs

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

Comments or Corrections?

Bentley's Technical Support Group requests that you please confine any comments you have on this Wiki entry to this "Comments or Corrections?" section. THANK YOU!