Autodesk Vault consists of two components: a server and a client. The server stores all your documents and designs. By storing all your data in a common, centralized location, you can easily share and manage information with your design team. The files are read-only until they are checked out. A file may be checked out by only one user at a time. You never directly edit the files in the vault. When you are working on a file that is managed by a vault, you check out a copy of the file using a client application. You then edit the copy of the file and check your changes back in to the vault. The changes are added as a new version of the file in the vault.
Autodesk Vault Client is a standalone application that provides access to the data in a vault. Add-in clients for CAD and non-CAD applications provide a fully integrated way to manage your data. In addition to Autodesk Vault Client, there are also add-in clients. Refer to the following table for a complete list of add-in clients and the editions o Vault that they support.
The typical installation installs the Autodesk Vault stand alone client as well as the following clients:
Typical installation is the default setting.
The Autodesk Vault server is the database server that works in conjunction with Autodesk Vault clients. The server keeps all design and documentation files in a common, secure, and centralized location and manages access to that data. It provides users with access to their files and maintains information about the status of those files and which users have permission to change and update the files. When changes are made to files, a complete version history of all changes is maintained, providing a convenient mechanism for accessing the latest versions as well as previous versions.
The Autodesk Vault server requires Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS). Before the server is installed, a check is performed to verify the presence of IIS.
The Autodesk Vault server stores and maintains the files and metadata that make up a vault. The Vault server also stores Content Center libraries. If you will be using Content Center with Autodesk Inventor, or if you are installing Autodesk Inventor Professional for designing routed systems such as cable and harness design or tube and pipe design, or if you are going to use Autodesk Vault, you must install the server. The server software should be installed on a server or workstation that is shared by all users. For a single user, the server can be installed along with the client on a single, isolated workstation.
You must install the Autodesk Vault Server before installing the Autodesk Vault Client. During the installation process, the installation wizard performs several Pre-checks to make sure that the system on which the Vault Server is being installed meets the system requirements.
If this is your first time installing the Vault Server and you will be using a single Vault environment, then refer to the Quick Start Installation procedure.
If you are planning on supporting a replicated vault or multi-site environment, or would like to customize your installation, then refer to the Custom Installation section.