Applies To
	Product(s):	SELECTserver
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	N/A
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISCONNECTED MODE EXPLAINED [FAQ] 

In general we need to have a better understanding of the term Disconnected Mode. The SELECTserver application and clients function on a series of “connections” for verification, authentication and updates. For the most part these connections are not constant. The best way to think of it is as a short communication burst which updates a status. Before I go any further I’d like to come to an understanding of some terms I will use going forward.

HOSTED :        A SELECTServer being maintained and managed by Bentley System on the Bentley
domain. Bentley is responsible for the application prerequisites being in place and for general server maintenance.

DEPLOYED:     A SELECTserver installed locally by the user.  The user is responsible for ensuring that the application prerequisites are in place and for general server and application general maintenance.

Activation:     A client communicating with its specific server and updating a registry entry. This marks the timeframe (24 hours) before the client will again attempt to “activate”.

 TRUST Licensing:        The ability of the SELECTserver application to TRUST the client to function fully without a constant connection “physical” connection

SELECTserver has two connection points.

Server to Server:         In DEPLOYED configurations. (Your server talking to the Bentley server)
Client to Server:          Any Bentley application communication with its specific SELECTserver

Now let's discuss where you will see the Disconnected messages.

SERVER

The Deployed SELECTserver XM (SSXM) attempts to update to the Bentley server on a daily basis. The message is a warning that the communication did not take place. By design the application will try only once within a 24 hour period. It runs at the designated time configured on the Administration Site page under ADMINISTRATION > Server Settings > Windows Services. The default time is 00:00 midnight. A failure to connect for any reason will display the warning. A single “miss” in that communication results in the disconnected mode with 29 days left and decreases that number for any consecutive days the client fails to connect with its server. There is no loss of functionality while in Disconnected Mode. A single connection after any number of failures resets the application to the normal 30 day defined as “Activated”.  I only become concerned about this Disconnected Mode issue if I see it consistently over a 5 to 7 day period. This would have to be a problem for 30 days straight for you to exhibit a SSXM problem. If you are seeing this everyday you are not connecting and your configurations need to be examined.

Client

All clients attempts to activate to their specific server HOSTED or DEPLOYED on a daily basis. The message is a warning that the communication did not take place. By design the application will try only once within a 24 hour period. A failure to connect for any reason will display the warning. A single “miss” in that communication results in the disconnected mode with 29 days left and decreases that number for any consecutive days the client fails to connect with its server. There is no loss of functionality while in Disconnected Mode. A single connection after any number of failures resets the application to the normal 30 day defined as “Activated”.  I only become concerned about this Disconnected Mode issue if I see it consistently over a 5 to 7 day period. This would have to be a problem for 30 days straight for you to exhibit a SSXM problem.

In general a Disconnected Mode message is not a need for alarm. We are discussing computer communications and as much as we’d all like a guarantee when it comes to computers there are none. Most of the time my browser will get me to the Google website but sometimes it doesn’t for a myriad of possible reason. The SELECTserver application is designed to be able to withstand short term interruptions due to physical connection, network inconsistencies or something just plain being broken through the advent of TRUST Licensing. The implementation of TRUST licensing is through the Disconnected Mode capabilities. So now it’s time for the short straight answer.

Disconnected Mode means that for some reason the client was unable to connect to the server. A single day was removed from the 30 day TRUST Licensing pool and the client will continue to function normally.

Here are the main points that need to be highlighted from this document.

• In Disconnected Mode the application is fully functional
• The application attempts to update once (and only once) every 24 hours. The status of that connection is not relevant to the attempted. Only the status is updated. The part that attempts to updates goes back to “sleep” until the next 24 hour period is reached
• Any made connection resets the Activation counter to 30 days
• Being in Disconnected Mode for more than 30 days will limit the applications functionality.
• If you are seeing a Disconnected Mode message for 5 – 7 consecutive days Bentley Technical Support should be contacted to review the status.

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