HyperWorks Server/Client Cache Management

The HyperWorks server/client cache management system allows for GUI applications, such as HyperMesh and HyperWorks Desktop, to cache files onto a client’s machine for faster invoke times.

The cache is versioned and the client user should maintain the necessary files for new and old versions.

The cache is supported only for Windows server/client setups. The default behavior of a server/client HyperWorks setup does not cache any files.

On first invoke, the applications will check to see if the environment variable ALTAIR_CACHE_HOME is set. If so, the application will copy over all required files to the specified directory through a background process after the products initialize. There will not be any increase in invoke speed this first time. Once this is completed, subsequent invokes will use the variable to check and find the versioned files and use the files stored locally to the client instead of reading the files over the network.

The HyperWorks Cache Manager can be used by system administrators and users prior to initializing the application manually or to manage an existing cache. It is located in the ALTAIR_HOME\hw\bin\<platform> directory and is named hm_cachemgr.exe. The syntax of the cache manager is as follows:

hw_cachemgr.exe -option ?-silent?

-option

-query: Display a message if the cache is ready for use. Always returns zero.

-create: Create the cache if it is not being deleted. Returns zero if successful.

-delete: Delete the cache if it is not being used. Returns zero if successful.

-silent

Do not display messages.

In order to enable caching in a server/client setup, several criteria must be met:

1.	The client user is responsible for adding the ALTAIR_CACHE_HOME environment variable to enable this functionality.

2.	The client user must have write access to the ALTAIR_CACHE_HOME directory.

3.	The client user must have enough disk space available for the cache, which is approximately 120 MB to 150 MB of storage.

4.	The client user is responsible for deleting the cached files when no longer needed.

Logging of cache messages can also be enabled via the ALTAIR_CACHE_LOG environment variable.