Program storage - Local or network

[[Je...]]

Hi guys,

I am trying to solve a network storage problem. We just recently got a second Contura in our lab (we have multiple but in different locations). I am trying to figure out the best method for program storage. Currently we work off the local hard drive and back up to the network nightly. We tried running directly off the network but it proved to be slow and unreliable (network connectivity issues). What is the solution to multiple CMMs running the same programs in a production environment. My original thought was to network the PCs together locally and share a single drive from one PC to the other. Is there a better way?

A few things I don't want to do.
- Copy programs from the network to the HD before running them, saving any edits and then backing them up. Too much hassle to train people to do that reliably. Tried it - no way.
- Run off an existing network server drive entirely as storage is "off site" and too slow. Tried it - contributed to hair loss - This is ITs preferred solution

[[Ma...]]

Jeff,

we have 9 CMM with sometimes the sam program on two... CMM. Our programms are on the server, we have a normal fast network. 98% it works well.

There is also the Master Control Center from Zeiss. But I have know idea what is the price ❗ ❓

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgQLHyddmCw

[[Je...]]

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Do you experience lag when loading/saving the programs? Ours takes 45-60 seconds to load a normal program up. Longer when they are complex models. Usually about 3-5 seconds when off the local HD. Maybe it is just our network that is slow and I need to suggest new hardware or setup.

[[He...]]

We have been running from a network server since forever (4.2 or 4.4) and it has always worked well. The server can even restart (virtual server so it just takes a few seconds) without any problems.
The loading time difference between running local or network is maybe 50%. Definitely not 15 times longer. That is not normal.

The network is 100 or 1000 Mbit LAN and is located within our facility. Maximum 2-300 meters away from the machines.

[[Br...]]

Just last year, We paid for an upgrade from Calypso 5.2 to 6.6 version. The upgrade included onsite support by Zeiss (Victor Peria). He told me, with this version, we could have all our programs on a server in a "master location". A copy of all of the programs would still resides on the local PC, but any changes to the master are cascaded to the floor CMM on some kind of interval. I met with heavy resistance with IT trying to get this implemented... Needless to say it was not approved.

If interested, I would contact Zeiss for more detail to see if this fits the bill.

[[Je...]]

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Thanks Brad, I did actually contact my sales rep on Friday (Tim Callanan) and the talked to their software product manager. He told me I have two options for network storage.
1- store the program folder on the network but to change the data path in CMM settings to store the actual measurement data locally.
2 - use the "Versioning" option that started on Calypso 2018. I basically does what you refer to but I have never used it.

I am going to check into both. I've also contacted my IT department to look into our network bandwidth. They informed me that they have recently updated a lot of equipment so maybe the solution was right in front of me the whole time.

[[Ma...]]

Jeff,

thats true sorry i forgott to tell. You can/must make the path of the prgrams on the server
Extras: >>> Settings >>> Enviroment >>> Path: \\......

And Calypso load the program local. 🙂

[[La...]]

I have a spin-off question.
We have had to change from dropbox as our source for storing measurement plans, which has worked for the most part seamless, to Sharepoint, which doesn't work nearly as well as dropbox. Does anyone else use Sharepoint, and if so, do you have problems? Does anyone know if Marti's information "Extras: >>>Settings >>> Enviroment >>>, etc. would apply to Sharepoint?