If disk space is running low, or maybe you want to move the archives to a faster disk and you need to move the archives to a different drive within the same machine, there are a couple of options for how we can do it. You can complete the move using the included relocate archive tool, or my personal favorite…get your hands dirty and manually move the files.
Steps to manually move the PDM archives
It’s important that no one is accessing the vault while this is being completed. I recommend locking the vault ahead of starting.
- The first step is to confirm the archive location. This can be completed by looking at the registry key:
- ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARESolidWorksApplicationsPDMWorks EnterpriseArchiveServerVaults[Vault Name]ArchiveTable
- Stop the archive server service.
- Move the archives.
- You can use whatever method you’re comfortable with. My personal choice is Robocopy
- Update the registry keys to the new location:
- ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARESolidWorksApplicationsPDMWorks EnterpriseArchiveServerVaults[Vault Name]ArchiveTable.
- Rename Original Archive Location.
- Restart Archive Server Service.
Testing
To ensure everything is working as expected, and archives can be accessed and added:
- Checkout an existing file
- Add a new file.
If no errors are thrown, the move was successful and PDM is referencing the new location for the archives.
Additional considerations when using archive replication
If any replication Schema’s are scheduled to trigger during the move, set replication to No Schedule. Once the setting is changed, restart the archive server service, to push the changes to the schema. When the move is complete, the schema can be re-set to the appropriate schedule and again restart the service, so the changes are pushed.
Looking to learn more about SOLIDWORKS PDM? Stream our webinar “Get to Know SOLIDWORKS PDM”.
