Anybody ever try this?

I'm helping another firm set up a cad customization folder. I told them I
typically like to place the customization on the server and point the top
items in the AutoCAD Search Path to find what it needs there. That way you
only need to update files in one location and it affects everybody.

They asked me,"What happens when the server goes down?" I answered that I
could also place another customization folder on a local drive and set up an
Emergency Profile to look locally...the idea being that they could switch
profiles and keep on working (assuming that they had DWG files to work on).

It just occured to me that I might be able to place both targets (server and
local) within the same Search Path, with the "server target" at the top of
the list and the "local target" at the bottom.

What happens to a Current Profile that looks to a drive that suddenly
disappears? (I'd rather not crash our server to test it.)

 

Steve,

We run a setup much as you describe and have configured a "server" profile
and a local profile.
However, it would be a rare situation when "The Server" goes down and your
cad files and all other resources are still available.
Anyway, make a local profile and this can still come in handy.

Ted

 

Besides the cad files and resources not being available if the server were
to go down, we would not be able to run Acad anyway--we are in a networked
license configuration so that we don't have to purchase a license for EVERY
PC in the office. We have three licenses which means that ANY user can be
in Acad on ANY PC in the building--but only three copies of Acad can be
running at any time.

Once that fact dawned on me, I didn't worry about having a local support
file. Is it safe to assume that they are not running such a license pool
situation? If they ARE point that fact out to them.

 

I think it's a neat idea. I don't think you'll crash your server. Besides,
your concern is only in the case where the server disappeared anyway. Try it on
one PC and just disconnect the patch cord to test.