Running ACAD over internet

We are looking into putting in an SBS server and running RDP on it. We
want to know if it is possible with AutoCAD 2004/5/6 to run on a WinXP
Pro machine behind the server from another machine connected to the
server via the RDP connection across the internet.

Putting the issue of licenses aside assuming we have the required number
of legal seats per person using ACAD, can multiple people attach to the
same machine and run ACAD via the RDP connection?

We spoke with our dealer and they seemed to think that you might be able
to via RDP but not Terminal Services and only if you have no domain. The
result was a very uncertain answer and before shelling out $8000 for a
new server that is supposed to allow this I want to know that it will
actually work.

Anyone have experience with this???

Also, can we do this with normal seat licenses of ACAD or do we need
some sort of a special network license?

Would the RDP be a good solution here or would some sort of VPN be
better? I had made the assumption that a RDP / Terminal Server was a
type of VPN, but I think there is more to it than just that.

Thanks,
-Jon

 

Connecting with Terminal Services has been disabled for AutoCAD 2005, so that option is out. Technically, connecting to your License Server over the Internet violates the License Agreement, which states that you are only allowed to connect on your LAN. Therefore, a VPN is your easiest solution. Using Remote Desktop is not actually running the program on the PC, like you would in a VPN situation. Though I have only read about a few problems with people using Remote Desktop to do this. I think Autodesk would recommend using a VPN.

 

I thought WAN connections where allowed now, as long as the remote machine
was owned by the company that ownes the server? My understanding is it is
allowed, and works well even over dialup, because the actual packets going
between AutoCAD and the License Server are really small.

Gordon

 

Yes, WAN is deemed okay. I guess WAN is not considered the 'raw' internet.

 

Even a web connection is probably ok, given that the workstation ownership
requirements. I think the main issue was to keep some company from buying
100 seats, then farming out access to hundreds of part time users, for a
fee. If that is done, Autodesk wants a piece of that pie. But finally
letting a network license be used from home only made sense, just like
allowing office and home installs.

Gordon

 

Hi all.

Raw Internet is not OKay. A VPN connection or a RAS connection is OKay.

 

We currently have a Terminal server set up and run all sorts of CAD products
on it. The toughest program on the Terminal server is Revit. While we dont
really use Revit yet we have loaded some tutor revit files and stuff on it
and worked over the internet. It works great... considering its over the
internet.

 

I guess that answers the question. Thank you for the info Jerry!

 

Thanks for the info. Even if it was allowed, I would never promote it. VPN
is so much more secure, and easy to set up. Makes no sense to go any other
way.

best,
Gordon