File lock randomly not working with dwg files

[sami_ourila]

I had previously a discussion with the Autodesk support about the file lock not supported by Autocad anymore. This causes problems in certain environments such as NAS servers that don't have options to handle the locking required. We're thinking of changing our server due to this issue. Any idea if changing to Windows server is waste of money or are there any other solutions available to solve the problem? Our own support has already talked to Qnap and Synology but no real solution from their side on this. I've previously worked in a company that had your usual Dell Windows based server in use and we did not suffer on any file locking issues. But as I've read some topics related on this, the real reason behind this might not be the server itself and might consist of many variables. Any ideas?

[cadffm]

"anymore" means since 25years

[pendean]

---

@sami_ourila wrote:

I had previously a discussion with the Autodesk support about the file lock not supported by Autocad anymore....

---

No since AutoCAD 2000-2003? Or was it R14 way before that? It's been a very long time now, if I may ask how old an AutoCAD version did you come from that this was still an option with DWL files? Those now only service the command WHOHAS and nothing else. File locking is an OS control by default, or by IT settings for user logins.

---

@sami_ourila wrote:

...certain environments such as NAS servers that don't have options to handle the locking required. We're thinking of changing our server due to this issue. Any idea if changing to Windows server is waste of money or are there any other solutions available to solve the problem?...

---

Windows server, the 100% most widely used platform in offices for over 30-years? Of course it is not a waste of money, the entire world can't be wrong but your IT somehow has secret knowledge. Perhaps they are more focused on budgets and not user needs.

Read this

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Support-for-non-Mi...

And you may have seen this about NAS from Autodesk, your IT folks should have taken it into consideration first

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Autodesk-support-f... 

The burden of NAS file locking falls back on your NAS provider more than anything, there might be a solution out there with them.

[paullimapa]

And that’s why Microsoft have those hefty prices for seat licenses on their Windows servers

[sami_ourila]

Thanks all for the input. We're going to work our hardware towards windows server as it seems like to "most likely" solution to the symptom. I've worked for different companies sized around 20-30 designers over the years, but this is the first time I've come across a file lock issue. But I have to say, currently the teams working on one projects are bigger meaning that the opportunity for the error is far bigger that ever. On some occasions we've had 7 people working on 1 single design and that's when things start getting interesting. 😄 I will try to reply to this topic later if and when we get this sorted. Have a great summer everyone!

[cmckillipHFDWW]

We moved from a NAS that was working great to a new server and are having nothing but issues. 

[paullimapa]

Your IT staff should be able to troubleshoot and narrow down the cause. Could be getting all the OS updates installed or even a faulty switch that needs to be replaced.