Solidworks PDM Set Up

Owned by Nathan Green
Last updated: 2024-09-20 by Alison Thompson
3 min read

We now have access to Solidworks PDM (Product Data Management), a CAD version control and file management system. This system is replacing GitLab, it is an industry standard and is much easier to use.

VPN Setup

To access PDM you need to connect to our Zerotier network. Unlike a traditional VPN, only Solidworks PDM traffic is routed though the Zerotier VPN, so there is no need to connect or disconnect when you want to access PDM. It should “just work” after setup is done.

Go here to download the Zerotier client, then install it. If any firewall popups appear let it through on public and private networks. When the install is done you should find it in your system tray (bottom right of task bar). If it is not there, search for Zerotier in your taskbar and run it. It will now appear in the system tray. Right click the icon in the system tray and click “Join New Network”. Enter the network id 802a69e53700b68b and click join. It might ask if you want your PC to be discoverable on the network in a Windows popup, select No. @Nathan Green has to authorize your device before it can access the server, ping him on discord at this step. A mech lead also needs to make a personal PDM account for you. Now open a web browser and copy http://warg-server/ into the address bar. If everything worked you should see a generic Internet Informations Services page.

Solidworks Installer Setup

When installing Solidworks 2024 the SOLIDWORKS PDM Client, and Item Explorer, which is in a drop down menu under PDM Client, components should be selected (2 components total). If they were not selected at the time of install then relaunch the installer, select modify, and install the two PDM components. The Solidworks PDM client is now installed.

View Setup

Now a view needs to be set up for PDM. This is essentially a folder where the files will appear to be stored on your system. The files will not be actually copied to this folder, however. They are stored on the PDM server in E5 2003.

Search for “View Setup” in your taskbar and launch it. Click “Next”, then “Add”. Enter warg-server as the server name and leave the port as default. When it asks for the login use “User” as the username and “WARG@1234” as the password. This is the main server login and not your individual account yet. Click next, and select the WARG_CAD vault. You will then have to log into the account provided to you by a mech lead.

Changing Your Password

Once you get your view set up you should change your password as everyone’s default password is the same. I recommend using a password you don’t use anywhere else, as this password will be stored on a server in E5 2003 and is the drive is physically accessible to anyone in the room. To change your password search for “Administration” in your start menu and launch it. Click the dropdown next to WARG_CAD in the sidebar and log in if required. Click the dropdown next to “Users and Groups Management” then the dropdown next to “Users”. Right click your username (it should be the only one displayed), and select “Change Password”. Follow the prompts and your password will be changed.