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Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines

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Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines AB300 - 2P Learn to take full advantage of multi-core environments! There are numerous advantages to running Revit inside virtual machines. Imagine being able to render, create a family component, and Save to Central -- all at the same time. A multi-core processor is like having multiple computers in one PC. Learn how to take advantage of them all! About the Speakers: Phil Read [email protected] Phil is an implementation architect with Autodesk Revit and works directly with firms in training, project implementation, and establishing best practices. He has more than 13 years combined experience in engineering and architecture. This hands-on, in-house approach helps maintain focus while jump-starting both the project team and project amid shifting architectural dynamics. Phil holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Communications and Architecture, as well as a Master of Architecture degree from the University of North Carolina. Peter Streibig [email protected] With over 10 years experience in architecture, Peter manages and coordinates information and communication technology for Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: the firm behind such notable projects as the Pacific Rim Estate near Seattle, the Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, CA and a series of high profile stores for Apple Inc. around the world. His role is particularly challenging: incorporating emerging technologies in a high-profile, high-design firm. And he also understands the need to keep the emphasis on Architecture while maintaining a stable, approachable and sophisticated (as well as mixed platform) computing environment. Peter holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia. 1 Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines Preface Disclaimer: While running Autodesk software does not violate the terms of licensing, the following herein described workflow is not officially supported. However glowingly discussed at AU2007 and in the AUGI forums, I repeat: At present, Autodesk does not officially support running Revit in Virtualization. Introduction – What is Virtualization? Virtualization was pioneered over 40 years ago by IBM in order distribute costly mainframe resources and run multiple applications simultaneously.1 As the cost of distributed computing decreased, Virtualization was no longer necessary. Advances in Personal Computers (or PC) gave end users the ability to run both the operating system and applications locally - on their personal computer. Computing resources were becoming more and more centralized. Now Virtualization is making a comeback. Old principles are being applied within the realm of Personal Computing. While faster, multi-core CPUs only allow more than multiple applications to run simultaneously and faster - Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run concurrently on the same computer. When a Virtual Machine (or VM) operates, it is "virtualizing" the physical hardware resources on your computer which are required by an operating system. And within those virtualized operating systems, multiple applications are able to operate. In order to operate a Virtual Machine, you must have appropriate Host and Guest computers. The Host computer is the actual physical machine along with its OS (Operating System). Virtualizing applications are installed on the Host OS much like any familiar application. Standard x86 hardware and Intel or AMD architecture may host Virtual Machines. This means that the host OS does not have to be the same as the Guest OS. For example, OS X (Apple), Linux and Microsoft operating systems may all function as the Host OS. A Host computer may be capable of supporting multiple Guest VMs, and if the Host has enough computing resources (processor cores, memory, etc) may even be capable of operating multiple Guests machines simultaneously. The Guest computer is the Virtual Machine. The VM contains both the virtual Operating System and Applications as a single file. The Guest may reside on the same hard drive as the host 1 http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/virtualization/view/100207.html 2 Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines machine. Or the guest machine may be stored (as well as backed up) on another hard drive, or even external, portable media. Each Virtual Machine exists as a separate, virtual disk image. Files on the Host machine may be accessed by either the Host or Guest Machine. For example, a Microsoft Word document residing on a Host running OS X may be accessed, opened and saved by the Guest running Microsoft XP and Microsoft Office. As a result, the files which you need to access with a VM need not reside “inside” the VM. They may reside on the Host machine or in a location that can be accessed by either the Host or the Guest – such as a LAN or WAN network drive. Why Virtualize? There are numerous advantages for IT / Support staff for allowing users to run Virtual Machines: • Roll out of approved disk images containing both OS and Applications is greatly simplified. • Installing Operating Systems in Virtual Machines take far less time. • Pre-built images of VMs make installation and upgrades easier. • The entire OS and all required application may be quickly restored; duplicates of a VM can replace a corrupted drive image in seconds – rather than hours or days. • Legacy operating systems and applications can be kept current without having to worry about maintaining or replacing aging equipment. • Support staff can host every client image directly on one machine to help work through problems clients encounter. • Software, updates, patches and their interaction with the rest of your software and operating system may be tested first in virtualization without the risk of impacting the Host system. • Infrastructure cost and quantity of servers, their support and electrical requirements are consolidated and therefore reduced. • VMs allow for virus containment and corruption of the VM without risking the Host machine or other VMs. There are also numerous, compelling advantages for the End Users running Virtual Machines: • Computing resources may be easily allocated to the guest OS and applications depending on the requirements and use of the VM. Less intensive applications won’t compete with applications which require more resources. 3 Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines • Customized VMs and applications can be created for individual users. • Users may operate multiple VM simultaneously, taking full advantage of multi-core computing resources. Network licensing of operating systems and applications allows users to run multiple operating systems and applications at the same time while being fully compliant from a licensing standpoint. • If an application or OS within a VM crashes, the Host OS and remaining VMs are isolated and typically not affected. Users simply restart the VM and application. • When running processor and memory intensive applications and processes, users can quickly select another VM and continue work on another application and process – avoiding the dreaded “white screen of death” that occurs when one application is reticent to release computing resources for other applications. How to Virtualize Host machines may run OS X, Linux or Windows. At present there are two highly competitive virtualization solutions available for the end user1. Each allows for a 30 day trial: VMWare (www.vmware.com) • Windows / Linux solution: VMWare Workstation • OS X solution: VMWare Fusion Parallels (www.parallels.com) • Windows / Linux solution: Parallels Workstation • OS X solution: Parallels Desktop 3.0 Virtual machines may be created in either one of two ways: 1. Install the Guest OS within a VM and subsequently install and license any applications as you would on your personal computer. 2. Migrate or convert a Physical Machine into a Virtual Machine. • VMWare: VMWare Converter • Parallels: Parallels Transporter 1 Note: Unlike VMWare or Parallels, Microsoft Virtual PC does not currently run on Intel based Macs: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/products/virtualpc/highlights.aspx 4 Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines Hardware Setting / Requirements The speed of your VM and the number of VMs which may be concurrently run depend on the physical resources of the Host machine. 32 bit and 64 bit Host and Guest machines are supported. Supported Host Operating Systems1: Mac: • Parallels: http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/sr/ • VMWare: http://vmware.com/products/fusion/system_requirements.html Windows / Linux: • Parallels: http://www.parallels.com/en/products/workstation/os/ • VMWare: http://www.vmware.com/products/ws/new.html Processor: For best results use dual-core, high-end processor which are workstation / server grade such as dual and quad-core Intel Xeon or AMD Opteron CPUs. • Portable: Dual Core / Core 2 Duo • Workstation: Two Dual Core or Quad Core Processors RAM: Although processor allocation is important it seems that RAM is key, particularly if multiple VMs are to be run concurrently. • Recommend minimum of 1gb per Host • Recommend minimum of 1gb per each Guest VM Hard Drives: Fast access is better, so select 7200rpm and faster drives and avoid slower 5400rpm drives. Bear in mind that each needs VM to occupy the space of the OS and Applications – no different than the space required on a PC of the OS and applications. Some users have reported performance gains from placing the Host OS on one drive and the VMs on a separate HD. Video Card: More critical for performance from Host rather than the Guest machines. Networking: Gigabit connections. By default, the VM shares the network of the Host OS. If necessary it is possible to create a separate NIC for the Guest OS. This is useful for high traffic conditions or maintaining a static IP for the Guest OS. However, standard shared networking works well. 1 Too numerous to mention within this document 5 Running Autodesk® Revit® in Virtual Machines OS Licensing: Volume OEM pricing has advantages for both Host and Guest machines in a networked environment (note: Windows purchased to run on a new Macintosh qualifies for OEM volume pricing).
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