Vault Database Configuration Export and Folder Structure

[estringer]

When you export a Vault database configuration, will it also copy the folder structure to that configuration?

[ihayesjr · Accepted solution]

@estringer 

No. Please see this Help topic to understand what is in the configuration file.

Vault 2022 Help | Import and Export Vault Configurations | Autodesk

[estringer]

@ihayesjr ,

Thank you. I was hoping that it was something that just was not mentioned on the Help page. I have been dragging and dropping my pre-built folder structure from File Explorer into Vault, is there a better/recommended way besides this?

[ihayesjr · Accepted solution]

The way you are doing it is the only way. There isn't a way to create a Vault with a folder structure at the same time.

[RajSchmidt]

I had to do such a thing once. I created the folder structure locally in my workdir and put an empty TXT file into each folder of the lowest level. I wrote a small batch to do this. Then I used the Project Check in of Inventor to bring all the files into Vault. That would drag the folder structure along. Afterwards I simply deleted the TXTs from Vault.

[steveh5]

FYI...

If you would like an exact replica of your current vault to test with including folder structure in Vault Explorer. Just spin up a new ADMS Server and restore a backup from your production vault less the filestore.

May have to clean up the db a bit, but you should have your folder structure and all of your settings.

Also....

I know this has nothing to do with the question, but ONE additional note.....

If you are attempting to get a config file for a Vault created before 2012 and that vault has UDP's, the import will probably fail.

HTH,

Steve H.

[RajSchmidt]

I believe you can do that. You need to delete all sub-folders from a backup’s filestore folder, just leaving the to two o three “000” folders. And the FileStoreInfo.fsg. After a restore you should have a complete Vault minus the actual files. I admit that I have never done this myself but colleagues have.

[ihayesjr]

DO NOT do what @RajSchmidt stated about deleting files directly in the file store!

This is absolutely wrong.

If you want to delete the files, delete the files through the Vault client and the files in the file store will get deleted.

[RajSchmidt]

Correct, @ihayesjr . We have done this only for test purposes or for analysing an exiting Vault configuration. You should never ever do this for a productive environment!

[estringer]

I am unsure as to how this post got to the point where it is so off the original topic. The drag and drop method for creating a Vault folder structure from File Explorer is very easy to use. Since @ihayesjr says it is the only method, I am going to go with it. He hasn't given me any bad answers yet!

[ihayesjr]

@estringer 

Another option if you are or know a developer.

https://github.com/Autodesk/vault-admin-tools/blob/master/README.md