Topic: Performance testing analysis tools for customization?

[KewlToyZ]

I have some troubles with a network of 100 CAD users experiencing interface slow downs.
Part of the complications to this is maintaining Old and New CAD standards in 2 seperate server directories.
Around 17,000 files total from managed directories I created that is roughly 650 MB in size.

The problem is there are 2 other directories around 3 gigs in size from previous CAD managers half completed projects which I am betting would be part of the problem. The other is managers blaming me for the fact they won't change and insist every little hiccup is may fault when they won't switch over to the managed directories of smaller size with every file they really require. They insist it was stable before I started here while at the same time they did not have 2 profiles required by new standards to switch back and forth between. Also we have to upgrade to 2007 through the entire company, in the meantime I have versions 2004, 2006, & 2007 all operating with seperate network license servers until we do the upgrade. The managers won't do the upgrade until they don't see the network slow downs they say myself or CAD is causing. They won't set everyone to use the cleaned up directories I built with the same bs reasons. So other than just deleting the directories and forcing them to help me debug exactly what it is they are complaining about when they cant even remember where they put their project files, I am trying to make a case to force them to accept a cleanup of the nonsense of asking me to debug 17,000,000 files instead of 17,000. I'm chasing a ghost of perception that everything was stable before.... before National CAD Standards, Before 2004, 2006, 2007, before 4 seperate national offices were mirroring copies of the Server files.

I wondered what tools or methods out there available could run against these support directories or the server itself to determine or narrow the possible causes?

One issue I am exploring is windows based: Open windows explorer goto tools/folder options; select the view tab and uncheck "Automatically search for network folders and printers".

Another issue is Profiles:
I have made custom shortcuts for each CAD version and each format (Legacy & NCS) that Target: "C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 200X\acad.exe" /p "X:\NetworkFolder\Profile1.arg"
This sets the proper path information for the lisp routines applying the layer formatting and blocks for the two project formats.
Start in: "W:\Network Project Folder"

[hendie]

wow ! what can I say ?
I certainly don't envy you.
I have heard that th Autosearch for network paths can in certain cases, slow the system down.
I have also heard sometihn about the Windows imaging service and I know that caused me some problems a while back.

I tihnk you are in serious need of a good EDMS, where you can hide the directories from the users and they *have* to go through the EDMS to get to files. That way you can control who goes where and who puts what where.

Sorry I can't offer more assistance but I do feel your pain

[KewlToyZ]

Thanks for the response

There are a few things I am considering, but first the real question I have;

Why does the network take a hit everytime I try to bring up osnaps in a command?
Everytime I shift right-click for the osnaps pop up, the icon in my tray for showing my network connection flashes activity and when it stops the connectivity the menu finally comes up?
I wonder if it is the order of the directory paths in the profile?
I placed the customization folders before the local folders?
Mainly because all of the tools and menus they use are the proprietary items.
This may be the case I am going to try first. My only concern is a networked acad.pgp file.
I thought I had to specify the custom folder first to keep the networked pgp ahead of the local one?

[KewlToyZ]

No luck, changed the order, lost the networked pgp file and all custom command shortcuts.
And every new command invoked still connects to the network even though I am working on a local acad.dwt Drawing1 file.
So even when I remove the profile it is an inherently hideous problem in CAD itself.
I am led to beleive it is the networked license.
I can understand a network license checking itself periodically but with every command it is AutoDesks failure due to paranoia rather than directly supporting its largest paycheck. Who else is paying $85K an upgrade? I may have to seriously question AutoDesk about it and if the problem is not resolved hack the workstations as stand alone for their blatant disregard of patrons productivity.

[KewlToyZ]

Ok those fears were quelled at least. One miscellaneous reference to custom menu storage when no profile was installed was calling the network still. It is entirely the profile. I need to have users store customizations for themselves locally. I'm also going to have to redesign the entire platform for 2007 to rid myself completely of the issue.

[Draftek]

Not sure I can help but I have a similar setup to yours in that I have 150 cad users in-house. We have not had the problems you mention but I only store drawings on the network, and a small partial CUI file.

All programs, menus, profiles are copied to the user's machine and updated as needed. I distribute these same apps out of house on cd, so it's easier just keep the setups the same.

<edited> I didn't see your last reply before posting..

[Arizona]

We have about 100 users and one way we found to control things a little better was to break down the users based on their current functions. When we did this we had approx. 4 groups of 25 users each.
There are certain files that are used by all 4 groups, these files are placed in a common location for all, but strictly maintained by 3 people. In another area, we have the files that are common to each group since each group has their own separate menus, lisp/vba, standards, blocks, etc that is specific to their discipline.
In addition to that we have management support that initiated the enforcement of things, and later (with a document management system) users enforced things on there own.
We allow users certain abilities to customize their environment without infringing on the dept processes and procedures. However we do not use one standard pgp file. We found that people were more productive when their hotkeys made sense to them, and the end result is the same regardless of what you call it. We do control the Autocad pathing and use a bottom up approach such as:
User files - User lisp, pgp
Section/Unit files - menus, blocks, acad.lsp, lisp/vba
Department files - Standards, templates/master plates, manufacturer drawings
General Use files - Title blocks, borders, lisp/vba (generic)

Also just as a side note, Educate your managers! Get them on your side! For them to be able to support you in your efforts they need to understand the problem. Be as detailed as you need to be without confusing them (you may need to gage this based on their interest/concern).
 

[KewlToyZ]

Thanks for the the great responses!

I'm curious how the 2007 update management system works?
Honestly I have never used it.
I wondered how much of it will take custom scripting vs. how useful it is at checking a main directory for updated files and just updating the clients local installations? Any good sites describing its use and set-up out there?

I have already in addition to the systems I described, created a VPN local installation for all 3 CAD versions for tele-commuting. I ran some tests with it yesterday and found the network delay's went down to a very small percentage if I ran things the way I requested 3 months ago when I created the local install. The structure of the routines does follow the paths of the profile and it has to. The main file causing network responses is the PGP.

I'm very much on your side about making the pgp to the users discretion. I know what a productivity issue it can be when 5 years of command habits are hindered by being forced to re-learn the same thing in what at times is overcomplicating an otherwise simple thing for repetitive tasks faced by each individual discipline. PC's and software are tools plain and simple. Why make a left handed person work with their right hand and expect them to be focused and productive?

I try to get the managers to hear me out, but most times they don't want to understand it. They are pressed with their project goals and only seek to control it. So, I am forced to waste much of my productivity time coming up with new ways to make them listen rather than think I am arguing with them when in fact I am overexplaining things and agreeing with them. More in point simple ommissions to do what needs done without telling them how because it won't work the way they describe. In most cases developers end up emulating the environment Managers describe because it of course is trying to apply their logic for necessary business rules.

[KewlToyZ]

I think we are going to script the updates manually for the specific files required.
It will allow us to do them transparently and only what we specify which will be more efficient than scanning them all and risking loss of their customizations. Easily controlled with the same network scripts we already employ for managing network drives and plotter paths.

My only networked files will be for PC3, CTB, PMP, PSS, Plotters, Plot Styles, Fonts, FMP, & CUS.

[KewlToyZ]

The network hits are still a 2007 problem?
If I press the Shift key or Ctrl keys I can watch my netwrok traffic start hitting until I let up from the key?
I ran 2004 & 2006 on the same machine at the same time and this doesn't occur with them.
But, If I bring up 2007 and try any of the keys it goes nuts on the network and freezes up CAD.
This seems like a truly insane setting for an interface default?

[KewlToyZ]

This has some pretty bizarre fixes described on the AutoDesk forums :
http://discussion.autodesk.com/thread.jspa?threadID=479162

But none seem to stop the network ping everytime I hit the Shift or Ctrl keys.
I have not done the full uninstall re-install, but that would kill me with over 50 pc's 
I to do a trouble ticket with AutoDesk Subscription services so I will keep you posted.

[KewlToyZ]

Well today the issue seems to have abated somewhat by installing the fake acad.dll

I still get network pings every other command but not with everytime I use the Ctrl or Shift key, just every other time now. Strange bug to look for a file that doesnt exist with every command with what should have been finalized in beta or else an update by now.

[KewlToyZ]

Subscription center is Vapor Ware?
No responses... nothing.. I think I heard a cricket