How to migrate to BIM Server 21

Istvan Moharos
Graphisoft
Graphisoft
Related version: v21

Before migrating

Warning_18x18.png Before migration make sure that you have a full backup and appropriate time for the migration process!

Install BIM Server 21

As a first step choose a computer you would like to install the new BIM Server on. This can be either the computer that runs your current BIM Server or any other computer that meets the System Requirements. It is not possible to install BIM Server 21 on top of your current BIM Server. This means it can be installed on the same hardware alongside with older versions, but it will be a separate application and has to be installed into a separate folder. It is strongly recommended to have the least possible number of BIM Server versions running simultaneously on the same computer. After migrating all data remove/uninstall the older versions to keep all resources available for the latest server. Go through the Getting started with GRAPHISOFT BIM Server article which can guide you through the installation and configuration steps.

Checklist before starting the migration process

  • Make sure that BIM Server 21 is activated.
  • If you have more BIM Server versions installed on the same computer, make sure to set up different ports for different BIM Server versions! See the Network Requirements for more information about the defaults.
  • Make sure that all necessary ports are opened in all related firewalls.
  • Verify that the BIM Server has a static address (eg.: static private IP, static public IP, FQDN).
  • Test teamwork with the Network Diagnostic Tool in ARCHICAD 21.

Migration process from older versions

Migrate Roles

Export data from v18 to v20

  1. Open the browser based BIM Server Manager interface.
  2. Log in with the Master Administrator user.
  3. Navigate to the Roles page.
  4. Click on the tick icon above the roles list.
  5. Click Select all.
  6. Click Export.

Export data from v17 and older versions

  1. Open the BIM Server Manager from the Graphisoft BIM Server Control Center application that belongs to v17 or older version.
  2. Go to Roles.
  3. Use Export > All Roles.

Import data in BIM Server 21

  1. Open the browser based BIM Server Manager interface.
  2. Log in with the Master Administrator user.
  3. Navigate to the Roles page.
  4. Click on the + icon.
  5. Select Import.
  6. Browse for the roles database you exported previously.
Info_18x18.png Note that in newer BIM Server versions, there might be new permissions, so make sure to verify the roles after the import.

Migrate Users

Export data from v18 to v20

  1. Open the browser based BIM Server Manager interface.
  2. Log in with the Master Administrator user.
  3. Navigate to the Users page.
  4. Click on the tick icon above the users list.
  5. Click Select all.
  6. Click Export.

Export data from v17 and older versions

  1. Open BIM Server Manager application that belongs to v17 or older version.
  2. Go to Users.
  3. Use Export > All Users...

Import data in BIM Server 21

  1. Open the browser based BIM Server Manager interface.
  2. Log in with the Master Administrator user.
  3. Navigate to the Users page.
  4. Click on the + icon.
  5. Select Import.
  6. Browse for the users database you exported previously.
Info_18x18.png Note that the Management role settings (Server Administrator and Project Administrator management roles) are not coming over during the migration. These have to be set up manually after the import process.

Upload Libraries

First upload the latest ARCHICAD Library 21 and the migration libraries:
  1. Open ARCHICAD 21.
  2. Go to File > Libraries and Objects > Manage BIMcloud / BIM Server Libraries...
  3. Connect to your BIM Server 21 with the combined server address and port. (e.g.: http://server.company.com:21000)
  4. Click Upload.
  5. Browse for the ARCHICAD Library 21 in your ARCHICAD 21 folder and upload it.
  6. Do the same with all migration libraries from the ARCHICAD 21 folder you might need for your projects.
Upload the libraries from your previous BIM Server:
  1. Open the previous ARCHICAD version you were using.
  2. Go to File > Libraries and Objects > Manage BIM Server Libraries...
  3. Download the libraries:
    • From version 13 to 19, check the Source Folder or use Extract... to download the library from the BIM Server.
    • In version 20, use Download... to download the library from the BIM Server.
  4. Start ARCHICAD 21 and upload the libraries based on the downloaded data / source folders.

Migrate Projects

To migrate projects from BIM Server 13 through 20, please follow the Migration Guide. Alternatively you can do it manually:
  1. Open the teamwork project in its current version of ARCHICAD.
  2. Save as a .PLN (ARCHICAD Solo Project).
  3. Open the PLN and re-link the attached libraries from a file server or from your workstation.
  4. Save the file and open it in ARCHICAD 21.
  5. Use the Library Migration service if prompted.
  6. Share the project using Teamwork > Projects > Share...
To share or join projects from ARCHICAD 21, go to Teamwork > Projects > Share... or Teamwork > Projects > Open/Join Teamwork Project... and enter the combined server address and port.

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