VPN Considerations for IT, Administrators, and Users

In recent years, there has been an influx of SOLIDWORKS PDM questions concerning the inability to connect to PDM servers through a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This article offers some considerations to take when working from home using VPN connections.

VPN considerations for IT

Netbios names

Ensure that your VPN setup allows accessing the PDM servers using host names. If this is not possible, you can update the client’s Windows host file accordingly. Just ensure the server IP is static.

ICMP

Turning off ICMP for server hardening is OK. We just ask to inform users or our support team if we are troubleshooting a connection. A ping test is always one of the first things we test for connections and may confound troubleshooting efforts if unaware of ICMP being disabled.

RJ45

To optimize connection reliability and PDM performance while using a VPN, ensure that the PDM client has a direct connection to their home router. Provide a CAT5e RJ45 cable if possible or instruct the end user to acquire one. Wi-Fi reliability is very dynamic and varies depending on many factors. If end users are working through VPN and Wi-Fi simultaneously, expect issues like the ones described in the “considerations for end user” section of this article.

Network appliances and ports

Ensure that the following ports are open in network from a client connected through the VPN. I have encountered situations where required ports were not opened in firewall appliances and/or routers used to allow a new VPN setup for PDM. It’s important that ports are open in all applicable network appliances used for a VPN connection.

Server ports

• Licensing Server: TCP/IP inbound: 25734 and outbound:25735.
• SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive Server Service: 3030 TCP/IP inbound.
• Microsoft SQL Server: Typical TCP/IP inbound ports: 1433 (default SQL instance) or 1434 (named SQL instance).
• For SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard, dynamic ports may be turned on for Microsoft SQL Express. Click here to learn how to change to static ports prior to making VPN connection available.

For more information on port requirements and how to test communication or check for issues, check out our blog on network communication requirements and troubleshooting.

VPN considerations for end users and administrators

Consider this to help performance

First, note that VPN connections will not have the same bandwidth, consistent connection/reliability, and low latency that the local area network (LAN) back at your office has. You will see a slowdown in performance while working through a VPN. Keep this in mind to help improve your work-from-home experience.

1. Avoid using Wi-Fi
   

   WiFi is simply not reliable enough for SOLIDWORKS PDM. Several factors affect a Wi-Fi connection (that are outside the scope of this blog). If you are mixing VPN and Wi-Fi, expect issues such as licensing issues, incomplete move of files, messages saying “not responding”, PDM Vault View hangs during simple tasks, SOLIDWORKS freezing or closing, etc. PDM is by nature a “chatty” application and is designed around the use of a wired LAN. Therefore, it needs a consistent, low latency, high bandwidth connection to the server. If you have an ethernet cable, and your router is easily accessible, connect straight through and turn off your computer’s Wi-Fi. You will be glad you did.

2. Avoid large tasks through VPN
   

   Expanding from above, avoid performing large tasks that require a consistent and reliable connection for a prolonged period of time. For example, refrain from moving large folders or file sets with references, mass check in/out of files, deleting a large file set, etc. If you MUST perform large tasks, do so through a remote connection to a workstation at the office. This way, the task is performed through the LAN. Ask your IT if you need this.

Consider this if VPN is simply not connecting 

1. Working off-line
   Recall that you can work offline if you check out your files prior to disconnecting from your company’s local area network. There is a bit of an unmentioned “etiquette” when working offline to avoid losing work. Learn how to avoid losing work in our article SOLIDWORKS PDM – Avoid Losing Work.
2. No sync for PDM
   

   Do not link your PDM Vault View to just any sync software like DropBox, One Drive, etc. SOLIDWORKS PDM is not intended for, nor designed to handle the methods in which sync applications handle cached files. Reported cases that have come through our queues regarding this sync setup include but are not limited to:

• File corruption
• Broken SOLIDWORKS CAD file references
• Strange, never-before-reported error messages
• Unable to save work in memory
• SOLIDWORKS CAD closes unexpectedly

For more engineering resources and solutions for working from home, visit our website or reach out to Technical Support.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in March 2020 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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