SMB Collaboration Mode in Egnyte Smart Cache is designed to enhance real-time collaboration on design files stored in Egnyte, especially for users in connected office environments.
This mode leverages SMB (Server Message Block) protocol access via Smart Cache to allow multiple users within the same site to simultaneously work on shared project files with high performance and reliability.
Primarily beneficial for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries, this collaboration mode allows firms to run applications like AutoCAD and Civil 3D on top of a local Smart Cache appliance.
In AEC workflows, teams often handle large design files such as .DWG, .DWT, and .RVT, which are highly sensitive to latency. Real-time collaboration on these files is essential for productivity. With SMB Collaboration Mode:
- Users on the same LAN can access Smart Cache over SMB for low-latency performance.
- Design files are cached locally, minimizing round trips to Egnyte cloud.
- Changes are synchronized to Egnyte Cloud in the background, maintaining version control and data integrity.
This setup is ideal for collaborative use of AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Revit (Single-Site), enabling efficient teamwork without requiring constant downloads from the cloud.
Supported Features
1. Global File Locking : Prevents simultaneous edits from different users by enforcing file locks across all endpoints. When a file is opened by one user, others can only access it in read-only mode.
2. Intelligent Dynamic Caching : Smart Cache automatically downloads and stores frequently accessed files locally, adapting to user behavior to optimize performance and reduce network bandwidth usage.
3. Cache Warming: Admins can pre-load specific folders or files into the cache before users start working, ensuring immediate access and eliminating increased loading times.
4. Co-editing of Files: Editing of files by multiple users ( from the same office site ) and ensuring real-time collaboration without waiting for other users to complete their work.
Supported Applications
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AutoCAD
AutoCAD users can work with .DWG and .DWT files directly from the Smart Cache via SMB.- With Global File Locking and Intelligent Caching, teams can co-edit drawings with reduced latency and improved performance, especially in LAN environments.
- AutoCAD’s file-based workflow aligns well with SMB access, making collaboration efficient and reliable.
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Civil 3D
Civil 3D projects often consist of large, interlinked drawing files that require fast access and consistency.- SMB Collaboration Mode allow engineers and designers to access Civil 3D data references and associated files locally from Smart Cache, enabling smooth collaboration without cloud access bottlenecks.
- Cache Warming can be used to pre-load entire project sets for quicker project startup times.
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Revit (Single-Site Collaboration)
Revit files are large and sensitive to network latency.- In single-site setups, Smart Cache enables local access to central Revit models via SMB, allowing team members to open, edit, and save models quickly.
- While multi-site Revit collaboration isn't supported, firms operating from a single location can see significant performance improvements using Smart Cache.
Limitations
- SMB Collaboration Mode supports only single-site Revit workflows. Multi-site collaboration is currently not supported.
- Folder Syncing is not supported currently in SMB collaboration mode.