If FlexSim webserver hosted in LAN or with global IP/domain name

[Urvi_Sukharamwala]

[ FlexSim 24.0.1 ]

I have few questions regarding flexsim webserver connection in LAN or with global IP address:

1. Is it mandatory to run flexsim webserevr.bat file on server PC? If this file is not running on server will others be able to use flexsim webserver using website link?
2. Is there any limit on number of instances at a time, meaning that only 8 instances can work in total on 1 server?

[Ben_WilsonADSK · Accepted solution]

1. You can run the FlexSim Webserver on any computer that runs FlexSim. The question of whether other computers will be able to connect to it is a networking question. Please reference other online forums that deal with networking and hosting servers to explain the basics of networking, servers, firewalls, etc. If you have any FlexSim-specific questions as you try to configure things, comment back here.
2. The only limit on number of concurrent FlexSim instances is how many your hardware can handle. You define the limit yourself in the file flexsim webserver configuration.txt. Reference the Webserver documentation.

Learn about how to figure out how many concurrent instances your computer might be able to handle by studying this guide: Recommended System Requirements

You should review the whole article but pay special attention to sections about Multiple Simultaneous Replications.

[Urvi_Sukharamwala]

If I want to run the flexsim webserver on LAN connected PC which do no have flexsim software as well as webserver. Currently my PC works as a server for all the LAN connected PC and using the LAN IP address link I can use flexsim website. However to do so, should Flexsim webserver be running in background on server PC?

[Ben_WilsonADSK]

@Urvi_Sukharamwala FlexSim Webserver needs to be installed on a computer where FlexSim simulation software is also installed.

[Urvi_Sukharamwala]

Thank you for the response. I understand that however if client wants to use flexsim webserver, and flexsim webserver is not running on server side then client is not able to use the webserver. Can you help me with this, meaning that even if server side flexsim is not running, client should be able to use that

[Vinay_S_Jindal]

I usually run Flexsim webserver in my pc to show the simulation model in others PC.

If flexsim is not running in webserver PC but if you want to run Flexsim model in webserver in other PC (client PC) we can run. In this case when client PC starts a model from webserver, the model will open in server pc and the instance of the same will be mirrored in client's PC.

[Urvi_Sukharamwala]

Hello Vinay,

Thank you for the response. I do get your point. However, currently I am using IPv4 address for testing in LAN connected PC (client PC) so for this we need to run flexsim webserver (flexsimserver.bat) on server PC. Am I correct?

Also, Can you please help me with globally hosting flexsim webserver?

[jason_lightfoot_adsk]

A FlexSim webserver process can be launched via the batch file or set up as a service using IIS/Apache etc..

That PC server can be located on your local network or outside.

Whether the server and service is visible to the internet is a networking function.

Jordan has a guide to setting up a server on AWS here.

[Urvi_Sukharamwala]

Hi Jason,

I am not much familiar with client-server architecture. I still have the question, how to start webserver automatically using IIS without manually running flexsim webserver.bat file?

In above image I can not see the list of models because batch file is not running.

[jason_lightfoot_adsk]

Have you changed the configuration in the IIS root directory - is it the same configuration file as you have for the standalone /.bat webserver? Does your application pool identity have access to the model directory? Have you tried adding the IIS user to the folder permissions?

[Urvi_Sukharamwala]

Hi,

1) Have you changed the configuration in the IIS root directory - is it the same configuration file as you have for the standalone /.bat webserver?

• I am attaching the image for confirmation for question1. Let me know if I need to change anything else.

Q1

2) Does your application pool identity have access to the model directory?

Q2

I did all those settings. If I do custom account and add administrator as user, it ask password and it is showing invalid credentials. I am not sure which password it mean.

3) Have you tried adding the IIS user to the folder permissions?

Not sure. Can you please explain how to do that?

[jason_lightfoot_adsk]

I think you need to refer to your IT system administrators if you don't have access/ account passwords etc. and are unsure how to set this up - it may be dependant on your machine and domain configuration.

I believe the IIS user is now called IUSR - in the past I think that's helped with folder permissions.