Experience getting Inventor to run in Citrix environment?

[Anonymous]

Hi All,

I'm writing to see what others experiences has been in getting Inventor to run in a Citrix environment, particularly XenApp.

Our company is currently piloting Inventor 2015 on XenApp 6.5 using physical hardware. Installation and setup has actually been successful but panning and zooming of models/drawings seem to be just under or on par of a local PC install.

Again, would appreciate hearing from others on trying to implement this.

Thanks ahead of time.

[LT.Rusty]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Hi All,

I'm writing to see what others experiences has been in getting Inventor to run in a Citrix environment, particularly XenApp.

Our company is currently piloting Inventor 2015 on XenApp 6.5 using physical hardware. Installation and setup has actually been successful but panning and zooming of models/drawings seem to be just under or on par of a local PC install.

Again, would appreciate hearing from others on trying to implement this.

Thanks ahead of time.

---

If you're getting pan / zoom to be "just under or on par" with having an actual PC in front of you, then you've already got it as good as you're ever going to get it, and far better than anyone else I've ever heard of getting.

[ChrisMitchell01]

To see if you're getting the best graphics performance, you should run the Diagnostics from Inventor, Tools, Application Options, Hardware tab. You should be running in Performance mode. If you see a level stated as 4_5 or 5_0 then you're good.

What graphics h/w are you using ? Is all graphics h/w recognized by OS level commands such as DXDIAG ?

XenApp 6.5 is fully supported for Inventor.

Thanks,

Chris

[Anonymous]

We're running K2 cards.  Running Inventor Diagnostics locally on server states "Feature Level 5_0" and Dxdiag is displaying Directx 11 but lists "RDPDD Chained DD" as device on Display tab. The Standard VGA adaptor disabled on server.

But noticed a couple of strange things:

1) (On Server) Clipboard copy of Diagnostics recognizes Nvidia cards but noticed log list "Failed to create a device from the adapter" for Graphics driver log info

2) Launching Inventor via Citrix and looking at Hardware tab "Performance" is clicked but also "Software graphics".  Unchecking Software graphics, saving settings and relaunching in Citrix Software graphics is checked. (only occurs via Citrix)

[ChrisMitchell01]

Hi Jim,

I believe you're already working on this with our front-line Product Support team. The problem is that for your virtual sessions through Citrix, the virtual vga layer is being used, whereas when using RDP directly to the server that does not come in to play. Inventor will detect that virtual layer & default to a lower graphics performance level, since the nvdia GRID cards are not being "seen".

From the diagnostic info which was sent to Product Support you can see the info to confirm this:

For Citrix session:

Graphics Device Information:

Renderer: SW
Manufacturer: (Standard display types)
Chip Type: GRID K2
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Graphics HW Memory: 3.933 GB
Display Mode: 869770120 x 869770120 (869770120 bit) (869770120 Hz)

Graphics driver file: 6.1.7600.16385
Driver file version: 6.1.7600.16385
Driver Date: 21 June 2006 0:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

Direct3D Graphics Device Information:

Adapter Description: Citrix Systems Inc. Display Driver
Vendor ID string: 0x00000000
Device ID string: 0x00000000
VendorID: 0
DeviceID: 0
SubSystemID: 0
Revision: 0

For RDP:

Graphics Device Information:

Renderer: HAL
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GRID K2
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Graphics HW Memory: 3.933 GB
Display Mode: -1048576 x -1048576 (-1048576 bit) (-1048576 Hz)

Graphics driver file: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver file version: 9.18.13.4052
Driver Date: 2 July 2014 0:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

Direct3D Graphics Device Information:

Adapter Description: NVIDIA GRID K2
Vendor ID string: 0x000010de
Device ID string: 0x000011bf
VendorID: 10de
DeviceID: 11bf
SubSystemID: 100a10de
Revision: a1

The Vendor ID String & Device ID Strings are used as lookup values by Inventor. The defaults are set in a file "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2015\Configuration\hardwarelibrarydm.xml". From that you can see that the Vendor & Device ID Strings for Citrix (virtual vga) are set to level 10 for each different operating system. If you change that value to 50, Inventor should not defualt to using software graphics anymore for new virtual sessions, but you will still not be using the full nvidia GPU until that virtual graphics layer has been removed for the Citrix sessions.

I don't know the exact sateps to disable that virtual vga layer for the Citrix sessions, but am awaiting further info from our Citrix experts. You may also be able to get the necessary steps from your Citrix/nvidia partner in the meantime.

Thanks,
Chris

[ChrisMitchell01]

For anyone else reading this thread, the virtual vga adapter is disabled at the Hypervisor level. See section 3.2.1 of the following PDF. http://us.download.nvidia.com/Windows/Quadro_Certified/GRID/312.56/312.56-nvidia-quadro-control-pane...

Thanks
Chris

[Anonymous]

Hey Chris,

We resolved the "Software graphics" issue. Working with our Citrix Experts we isolated the “Software graphics” issue to a Windows registry key.  It appears DirectX utilization for Citrix was turned off when troubleshooting an earlier issue.  We changed the setting and things are working now.

We're still running down some other Inventor Diagnostic items as well as looking at updating video drivers to clear those up.

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Hi Chris,

As I stated earlier we resolved the issue of Inventor using "Software graphics".  And I apologize for not thoroughly reading your earlier post.  We're not using XenServer or even XenApp on XenServer but XenApp on bare metal for hosting Inventor.  So I'm not sure how we would disable the "Virtual vga" layer you referenced in the previous link.  We do have the Standard VGA adapter disabled on the server (that was done early even before running the Inventor logs you listed in your earlier post).  

I did try changing 10 to 50 in the hardwarelibrarydm.xml for OS value=Win7:

<!--Citrix Virtual OS System-->
        <SETTINGS FeatureLevelLimit="50" />
      </GFXVENDOR>
      <GFXVENDOR value="0x000010de">

After this we still noticed the following in the Inventor Diagnostic logs in a Citrix session:

(Matrox Graphics is name of Standard VGA adapter on server and confirmed its disabled.  Noticed its not using the NVidia drivers as expected and the Direct3D adaptor is still Citrix display driver.)

Graphics Device Information:

Renderer:    HAL
Manufacturer:    Matrox Graphics Inc.
Chip Type:    GRID K2
DAC Type:    Integrated RAMDAC
Graphics HW Memory:   3.933 GB
Display Mode:    787397768 x 787397768 (787397768 bit) (787397768 Hz)

Graphics driver file:   1.2.1.0
Driver file version:   1.2.1.0
Driver Date:    29 July 2011 0:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

Direct3D Graphics Device Information:

Adapter Description:   Citrix Systems Inc. Display Driver
Vendor ID string:   0x000010de
Device ID string:   0x000011bf
VendorID:    10de
DeviceID:    11bf
SubSystemID:    100a10de
Revision:    a1

[ChrisMitchell01]

My (admittedly basic) understanding is that to properly leverage the nvidia GRID graphics cards/drivers you need to disable the virtual graphics layer on the hypervisor, which is what controls the definition/configuration of each Citrix client session.

At this stage it may be best to seek support directly from Citrix, although I've asked others if they can provide further details, here.

Thanks

Chris

[zimmermannm]

Hi Chris, Hi virtual3d,

we got the same issue here.

Using Win7x64 with Inventor 2015, XenDesktop 7.9 on VMware ESX 6, NVIDIA Grid K2 graphics card.

virtual3d, which registry key did you configure?

Edit: Oh I see you´re using XA6.5, so maybe you configured CtxHooks? That would not work in my case with a client OS 😞

What we have done:

Disabled VMware graphics card via windows device manager

Changed values in hardwarelibrarydm.xml to 50

HWinfo shows:

Graphics Device Information:

Renderer: SW
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip Type: GRID K240Q
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Graphics HW Memory: 892 MB
Display Mode: 1073741824 x 1073741824 (1073741824 bit) (1073741824 Hz)

Graphics driver file: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver file version: 10.18.13.5480
Driver Date: 17 February 2016 0:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

Graphics driver log information:
Failed to create a device from the adapter

Failed to create a device from the adapter

Failed to create a device from the adapter

When showing Inventor settings "software graphics" is always checked. Removing check and restarting Inventor => checked again.

Were unsing ACAD2015 on the same w7 machine - no issues here.

DXDIAG shows no problem.

Marco

[zimmermannm]

.. just updated to the lastest GRID dirvers (ESX Host and Win7 VM), no change.

Graphics driver file:   nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver file version:   10.18.13.6256
Driver Date:    10 May 2016 0:00:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

Graphics driver log information:
  Failed to create a device from the adapter.
  Failed to create a device from the adapter.
  Failed to create a device from the adapter.
  Failed to create a device from the adapter.
  Failed to create a device from the adapter.
  Failed to create a device from the adapter.

[zimmermannm]

just a short update:

Citrix & Grid settings are definitely OK.

Is GRID K240Q supported by Inventor 2015?

[Anonymous]

Can't recall Citrix article these XenApp Server registry settings are from.  Should be able to search online to find out.

Our issue was with not having correct registry keys set.  Particularly directx settings.

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\ Multiple Monitor Hook] ” EnableWPFHook” =dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\ Multiple Monitor Hook] ” EnableWPFHook” =dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\Graphics Helper] ” CUDA” =dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\Graphics Helper] ” CUDA” =dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\Graphics Helper] ” OpenCL” =dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\Graphics Helper] ” OpenCL” =dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\Graphics Helper] ” DirectX” =dword:0000001
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Citrix\CtxHook\AppInit_Dlls\ Graphics Helper] ” DirectX” =dword:00000001

In the end project had 4 very powerful virtual XenApp servers each with 1GPU (K2 card) and 128Gbs RAM on VMax Storage.  Business decision was to cancel effort since drawing/assembly didn't perform comparable to SSD desktop.  Business refused to tweak drawing process and behavior.  Typically drawing had over 200k parts! Business.

Good Luck!

[zimmermannm]

Hi all,

I fixed this issue for me.

Reinstalling Inventor and applying SP2 is the way to go.

See here for detailed information:

https://gridforums.nvidia.com/default/topic/711/general-discussion/autodesk-inventor-2015-3d-grid-pe...

Marco