White MLC Logo
CONTACT US
White MLC Logo
CONTACT US
White MLC Logo
CONTACT
Skip to main content
You are here:

How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host

The PDM Tasks feature (for SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional only) allows you to configure, run, and monitor automated tasks that you would normally perform manually in your PDM vault, such as convert, design checker, and print tasks for use with SOLIDWORKS files. 

 

An often overlooked step when configuring PDM tasks is to configure computers to be task hosts in order to execute the tasks. This grants the computer task execution permission for each vault where the task will be run. This article will detail how to configure a computer to be a task host. 

 

For a Task Host to process PDM tasks: 

    • A PDM user must be logged into the local vault view on the task host machine. If the dedicated Task Host system is an unattended system, such as a workstation in a server room, then a reboot could cause an interruption to Tasks being processed if a user is not logged back into PDM. 
    • It is best practice to verify SOLIDWORKS opens on the task host machine without user prompts/decisions. To test this, launch SOLIDWORKS on the task host machine and ensure all prompts have been answered, e.g., SOLIDWORKS license agreement, customized user interface or new version feature announcement prompts, etc. This will ensure SOLIDWORKS launches successfully when triggered by a PDM task. 

Configuring the Task Host Machine

Login to PDM

On a computer with SOLIDWORKS and PDM client installed, use PDM File Explorer to log into the vault. 

How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host

Configure Task Host

In the Windows System Tray (lower right corner of the Task bar), click the PDM icon and then select Task Host Configuration. 

pdm task host

Permit Task Add-ins

In the Task Host Configuration dialog, select the vault name in the File Vault dropdown list (upper right corner) for the vault which you want to permit the task execution. The task add-in(s) installed in the vault is listed.  Under the Permit column, select the checkbox for the add-in(s) that can be execute tasks on this computer. Click OK. 

 

Repeat this step on any computer where you want to permit task execution.  This step is specific to the computer you are currently on.

task host permit pdm

Edit Tasks

On any computer with the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool, log in as Admin and double-click the Task to configure. 

PDM Task

Choose Hosts

For the Execution Method, select a method to execute the task and then select the checkbox next to the computer(s) to allow them to be a task host. Click OK to save the changes and close the dialog box. 

 

This change is global and can be configured on any computer. 

 

The task is now configured to execute tasks on the specific machine(s).

How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host

Dedicated Host with Automatic Login (Unattended Computer)

When users launch Tasks in PDM, instead of having the Task run on their local computer, it can be sent to a Dedicated SOLIDWORKS PDM Task Host with Automatic Login, even one that is not actively used.

Technical Support

If you have any questions or experience unexpected behavior, feel free to reach out to MLC CAD Systems technical support. 

Last Updated On
byRick Braine
Tags:
Scroll to Top