Installation Configurations
There are different deployment options and installation configurations for PTC Modeler:
• Individual user deployment
This is the simplest option and is suitable for individual users or test environments. This deployment utilizes the standalone configuration.
• Production – workgroup deployment
This option is suitable for production environments and can support small and medium sized workgroups. This deployment options utilizes client/server configuration.
• Production – enterprise deployment
This option is suitable for production environments and can support small and medium sized workgroups. This deployment options utilizes client/server configuration.
Individual User Deployment
This deployment type utilizes the Standalone installation configuration and allows the PTC Modeler Server and Client to run on a single computer. The following diagram shows how the components of a Standalone installation work together.
Use the Standalone configuration only when you have a requirement to run the client software and the server software in a single user environment, that is, a requirement to use local databases. A Standalone installation can also access remote databases if required.
PTC recommends using SQL Server Express as a database for this type of deployment. SQL Server Express is bundled with PTC Modeler and can be automatically installed with PTC Modeler.
If only the client software is required, perform a Client Only installation in preference to a Standalone installation as this will have less effect on the computer's resources.
Production – Workgroup Deployment
This deployment option utilizes a client/server installation configuration and allows multiple users to share and work with models that are stored in databases on a server. PTC recommends using this deployment when working in a small and medium sized workgroup environment.
Client computers are installed with only the software required for developing models (including software for add-ins), while the server computers are installed with only the software required for managing databases and storing models.
The client software can access models stored in databases on many servers through Model Explorer. In a client/server configuration, perform the server installation before performing any client installations.
If only the client software is required, perform a Client Only installation in preference to a Standalone installation as this will have less effect on the computer's resources.
Production – Enterprise Deployment
To ensure optimum performance for distributed locations or where network performance is not acceptable, application virtualization (Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or Citrix MetaFrame) should be used. This requires RDS to be enabled or Citrix Server to be installed on the PTC Modeler Server or another server. Client must also be installed on this computer and be able to access the PTC Modeler Server.
For clients in distributed locations, RDS must be enabled or Citrix Client installed, and they must be able to access the computer with RDS or Citrix Server. PTC Modeler Client does not need to be installed, as access to PTC Modeler is provide virtually.
PTC recommends using this deployment for optimum performance when working in a large, distributed enterprise environment.
PTC recommends using SQL Server Standard as a database for this type of deployment for optimum performance. This must be installed before installing PTC Modeler, or an existing SQL Server Standard instance can be used. During installation of PTC Modeler, a database will be created and configured in the selected SQL Server instance.