Revit Server Issue

[Anonymous]

We have set up a local Revit Server and successful connected to the Central Revit Server. The local Revit Server Admin page connects to central server correctly. On a workstation, in Revit, when I first "Connect to Revit Server" it works correctly. When I browse to the "Revit Server", then "Revit Server Models" to try and open a project, I get an error, "The Revit server you are trying to access in not available due to a server or network failure" etc...

Additional info: When I go back into the Connect to Revit Server dialog it now say the server is not available. I've tried connecting by name and IP. In all cases the web interface for the Revit Server Admin is working correctly. If I switch from the Server Name to IP it successfully connects to the Server again, but still errors when I try and browse to a project.

I've set the firewall exceptions per this post: revitclinic.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/11/revit-server-and-the-firewall-exception.html, and we've even turned the firewall off entirely.

Has anyone else experienced this and solved the problem?

-James

[ryan.duell · Accepted solution]

I have included the next steps to take \ verify below:

1.  Revit Server Firewall Exceptions

Client workstations will be unable to see the Revit Server as active, which can generate the following error, if the Firewall is not configured properly.  Even if it was verified previously I would double-check again, as I have seen updates [or a reinstallation] flip on one of these checkboxes.

Ensure to verify and set the following on each Revit Server [central and local]:

-Revit Server > Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Change Settings > Exceptions
-Locate “File and Printer Sharing”
-Ensure there is an Exception for every instance of “File and Printer Sharing”
-Click OK, restart Revit Server

2.  Browse Manually from Client Workstation

You can browse to each Revit Server from a client workstation correct?  Such as navigating to:

\\RevitServerName\c$

3.  DNS

Verify all Revit Servers appear on network DNS.

See Discussion Board Post here:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Revit-Architecture/Revit-Local-Server-Cannot-Connect/td-p/284...

4.  Environment Variable

Can you verify the correct Revit Server name appears on a workstation [which is not functioning correctly]  under Computer properties > Advanced System Properties > Environment Variables > User Variables for %Username% > REVIT2011SERVER

Image Example: http://screencast.com/t/7oWLEIOx

5.  Client Workstation Revit Server Admin

From a client workstation, can you connect to the Revit Server Admin?  For example, from Internet Explorer, browse to the following location:

http://revitservername/Revitserveradmin

6.  Troubleshooting Overview

Lastly, as a final check I would ensure all of the prerequisites were completed the second time.  Please verify the steps in the blog post below have been followed, as well as ensuring all prerequisites from the included video have been performed on each Revit Server:

http://revitclinic.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/10/revit-server-troubleshooting.html

If the issue persists, let’s verify and include the following items:

1.  Confirm that there are no other web applications running on the local and central server.  Then, on the Revit Server, end any w3wp.exe processes listed.  Then have a workstation attempt to connect to Revit Server from inside Revit.  This should create a new w3wp.exe process.

Please verify the user name that owns the w3wp.exe process.

2.  Revit Server Log files; they can be zipped and attached to this case [C:\logfiles].

[Anonymous]

We've solved the problem.  It based on a poor assumption by me.  I didn't realize that each workstation would need to directly access the Central Revit Server as well as the Local Revit Server.  We are connecting to the central server via VPN, so each workstation needed that set up as well.  Everything is working well now.  Thanks for the quick reply.

-James

[ryan.duell]

Adding the following post with a bit more information as well:

10 Revit Server Troubleshooting Next Steps…

Thank you,