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SModugu13-Aquamarine
13-Aquamarine
December 7, 2022
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what are vaults in windchill, why are these needed though we have database to store all the data?

  • December 7, 2022
  • 10 replies
  • 4594 views

why are vaults required in windchill though we have a database set up for windchill for storing the data including CAD models and files.

 

what are vaults and Database? what stores in vaults and what stores in database? please explain in details.

Best answer by avillanueva

I do not think the database or BLOBs table is the most efficient place to store binary files. Vaults are preferred. BLOBS has I've seen in was always used as a backup incase there is an issue with the vaults where it cannot write files. Eventually via revaulting, the content is copied out of BLOBS to the vaults per the vaulting rules.  

 

Database should be for meta data. Object names, numbers, link data, text blocks, filenames and other details. Vaults are where file uploads, including configuration files like templates are stored.

 

More Info here: https://support.ptc.com/help/wnc/r12.0.2.0/en/#page/Windchill_Help_Center%2FfilevaultChp_About.html%23

 

10 replies

avillanueva
avillanueva23-Emerald IAnswer
23-Emerald I
December 7, 2022

I do not think the database or BLOBs table is the most efficient place to store binary files. Vaults are preferred. BLOBS has I've seen in was always used as a backup incase there is an issue with the vaults where it cannot write files. Eventually via revaulting, the content is copied out of BLOBS to the vaults per the vaulting rules.  

 

Database should be for meta data. Object names, numbers, link data, text blocks, filenames and other details. Vaults are where file uploads, including configuration files like templates are stored.

 

More Info here: https://support.ptc.com/help/wnc/r12.0.2.0/en/#page/Windchill_Help_Center%2FfilevaultChp_About.html%23

 

    S
    SModugu13-AquamarineAuthor
    13-Aquamarine
    December 7, 2022

    Great explanation. so, there must be a communication between Vaults and Database if incase user tries to access any document, it should also pull the info like meta data that is stored in Database and actual file from vaults simultaneously.

     

    what would be the common point that it pulls the right info from both parties when user tries to check out a drawing?

    avillanueva
    avillanueva23-Emerald I
    23-Emerald I
    December 7, 2022

     Yes, Windchill has tables in the database which it uses to track where the files are in the vault. Its complicated but if you looked at the vaults, you would not recognize anything as they filenames are just a HEX hash. The image below gives you a sense of table structure and complexity on the database side to keep track of what files below to what object. Remember that your not checking out files, you are checking out objects, whether that object is a CAD Document or a WTDocument. Each of those have content and are content holders. Their related attachments and primary files are what goes into the vaults.

    avillanueva_0-1670420879781.png

    This structure allows for more complicated setups like remote cache vaults for distance sites far from the main Database. This is necessary since it takes less time to transmit meta data rather than large, binary files like CAD data across a WAN.

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