Azure Server
Connecting to the CalSTAR server for maintenance
Last updated
Connecting to the CalSTAR server for maintenance
Last updated
Be very careful when making server changes. Changing certain items such as processor count, RAM size, disk size, and backup services will incur additional charges. Do NOT change our subscriptions, services, plan, or anything relating to billing without discussing with all leads. You will be responsible for any changes in payment.
CalSTAR pays for a cloud server from Microsoft Azure. It is a very weak virtual machine (VM), meant only for low intensive tasks like licensing, product data management (CAD version tracking), and simple scripts (Discord/Slack bots).
The server is currently on the Basic A1 (1 vcpus, 1.75 GB memory) plan with 127GB of disk space.
As of the time of writing, this is CalSTAR's only server (with the exception of a Berkeley OCF web server hosting our website). This means the server is the one you probably have connected to in the past for Solidworks Workgroup PDM and Converge CFD Licensing.
If you simply want to look at resource status (CPU Usage, RAM, Network Activity, etc), some of this information is available on the .
Selecting the option in the left white box pdm2 - Virtual machine will open the dashboard for our server (exact location may differ, ensure you select the pdm2 - Virtual machine option).
The dashboard contains most information you will need, including CPU usage, RAM usage, Network usage, Disk usage, Public IP, and links for more actions.
If you need to do more than view resource status, and need to mess with specific features within the server VM, you will need to connect to the server's Virtual Private Network (VPN) and open a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection to the server. The following steps will cover how to do both.
Simply run the 'pdm2.rdp' file downloaded previously. It should automatically launch Remote Desktop Connection (RDC, a Windows Program that implements RDP) and prompt you for credentials.
If Remote Desktop Connection does not launch on its own, open it by searching the Start Menu or by pressing [⊞ Win + R] and entering
Click Show Options and click Open in Connection Settings. Locate and open the downloaded 'pdm2.rdp' file. You will be prompted to login if done correctly.
The following information for FreeRDP on Linux and Mac is untested. Please troubleshoot yourselves or contact the current/previous server admin for more information. Please update this wiki if or when you figure out how to properly use FreeRDP.
For Linux and Mac, install FreeRDP using your preferred package manager. Use the command below to connect to the server.
So as an example:
You will be prompted to login if done correctly.
For Windows, download the program, and unzip the files to a new folder. Copy the downloaded 'pdm2.rdp' file into the new folder. Open the Command Prompt by searching the Start Menu or by pressing [⊞ Win + R] and entering
Using the Command Prompt, navigate to the new folder and run the following command:
You will be prompted to login if done correctly.
Avoid using the Workaround in the link above.
Basically connect to the server's Virtual Private Network (VPN) like you would for the Solidworks Workgroup PDM or other software licensing (Converge CFD). If you have not done so before, or are not sure what that means,
Computers without RDC (Linux, Mac, unusual Windows installations) will need to find a program that implements RDP. A decent alternative is , however, some knowledge of the terminal/command prompt is necessary to initiate a connection. .
The following instructions for Windows may be difficult without basic knowledge of the Command Prompt, specifically howcdand dirwork. More information can be found here [].
Basically either the computer, the server, or both have outdated security programs. Updating the server and/or your computer will usually fix this issue. If not, follow the steps in Resolution .
