Autodesk Vault software is a client-server application. In a typical installation, you install the server portion of the software on a shared computer, and then install the client software (Autodesk Vault and AutoCAD Vault ARX) on individual workstations. During installation, you have the option to install each of the components required for each workstation and, when applicable, for each server.
The vault server stores and maintains the files and metadata that make up the vault. The server software can be installed on a server or workstation that is shared by all users or, for a single user, the server can be installed along with the client on a single, isolated workstation. The database is managed by the server console.
The vault client consists of Autodesk Vault and AutoCAD Vault ARX. The client is installed on all workstations that need to access the vault.
The essential rules to remember when working with AutoCAD Vault ARX are:
AutoCAD Vault ARX is tightly integrated into AutoCAD and AutoCAD Mechanical. You can perform vault tasks using the AutoCAD Menus, command line, or the External References palette for files containing xrefs.
Check out and check in capabilities prevent more than one user from editing a file at one time, so all members of the design team to work together. In host files containing Xrefs, you can view the status of vaulted files displayed by icons and properties in the External References palette. The status icons in the External References palette keep all members of the design team informed of the status of files.
AutoCAD Vault ARX understands the relationship between a host file, and all files that it references so you can manage all files in a model within the External References palette.
AutoCAD Vault ARX is tightly integrated into AutoCAD Electrical. You can perform vault tasks using the AutoCAD Menus, command line, or Project Manager.
AutoCAD Vault ARX understands the relationship between a project file, and all files that it references so you can manage all files in a model within the Project Manager. The AutoCAD Electrical project file (*.wdp) lists all drawing files included in the project. The drawing file names are maintained with relative paths from the location of the project definition file. When you make a change in one drawing, all files related to that drawing are automatically updated as well. To maintain the relationship between the drawing files that are defined in the project file you must check out all files specified in a project file when you need to modify one or more files.
Check out and check in capabilities prevent more than one user from editing a file at one time, so all members of the design team work together. The Project vault commands do not require that the selected project is active; it only needs to be open in the current Project Manager.