Pre-deployment guide and FAQ

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3 weeks ago
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Overview

The Newforma Konekt File Server Connector allows you to connect your on-premise or cloud-based file server to the Newforma Konekt File Manager. The instructions below outline our pre-deployment guidelines and frequently asked questions for server deployment.

Pre-deployment

Use case for the file server connector

The File Server Connector centralizes file management systems in Konekt and helps create a single source of truth for project information. Your team can access this information on the move, without a VPN connection, and can attach files from your server directly to an RFI, Submittal or Change Order in Konekt.

The server connection requires pre-configuration

You will need to configure your local file server to allow data sharing with a cloud-based solution. This requires configuration of your Windows servers and Azure tenant.

The Newforma IT Services team will support you with the configuration. You can create a support ticket with support@newforma.com or contact your Account Manager to start the process.

Permissions

Newforma Konekt connects with your Entra ID and mirrors user permissionsfrom your project folder. It does not create or change user permissions.  

Users are required to authenticate their access using Entra ID when accessing the file server from Newforma Konekt for the first time. A token is created to cache user access permissions. The token expires after 90 days of inactivity at which time users are required to reauthenticate their access.

Recommendations

You need a Microsoft Entra Virtual Private Network Connector to have an Entra P1 License (or better) to enable the Entra Virtual Private Network Connector. A single license is all you need, since licenses are not required for all accounts.

The setup script will create a new service account and an Organizational Unit in Active Directory for the WebDav components. We recommend that you create this service account prior to deploying the configuration script.

Post-deployment

There is no upkeep for the server connection. The server connection with Newforma Konekt does not require maintenance; the connection will be maintained until which time you decide to deactivate it.

De-activating the server connection

Contact Newforma Support for assistance with disabling the file server connection.

FAQ

The connector connects to file servers via API:

  • The API connection mirrors server content to Newforma Konekt; we do not index local files or folders.
  • The connection is instantaneous; all actions taken in Newforma Konekt are immediately reflected in your file server (and vice versa).
  • The API will create a small overhead on your server.
  • The performance impact of this overhead is proportional to the volume of your activity.
  • You can reduce the overhead by connecting directly to a root or specific project folder.

Your IT team can choose which level of your server to connect using the connector:

  • You arenot required to expose your entire server to Newforma Konekt.
  • Your IT Team will run a script during pre-configuration that enables your server to connect to Newforma Konekt. At this time they will choose which level of your server they want to expose to Newforma Konekt. All child folders under this level will be exposed to NewformaKonekt.

All servers on the same network are reachable by a single connection:

  • During deployment your IT Team will run aPowerShell setup script on your Windows file server. This script will install the components allowing your files to be accessed from any cloud platform.
  • The script only needs to be installed on one server; all servers on the same network are reachable by the configured server.

The server is connected on a per-project basis:

  • Server connections are configured per project, not per hub.
  • Multiple connections can be set up per project; this can include:
    • Different folders within the same server
    • Different servers

Newforma Konekt does not create user permissions:

  • The connector connects with your Entra ID and mirrors user permissions from yourproject folder.
  • Users are required to authenticate their access using Entra ID when accessing the file server in Konekt for the first time.
  • We create a token to cache the user’s permissions; the token expires after 90 days of inactivity and users are required to reauthenticate access.

Access is managed on a per-project basis:

  • Project Admins can configure user access (internal and/or external) for each server connection they make in Newforma Konekt.
  • All users are required to authenticate their access using Entra ID prior to accessing the server in Newforma Konekt.

The connector is not a cloud storage solution:

  • The API does not index your files and folders; it does not create a copy, or backup, of your files or folders, it only mirrors file server content as it exists on the your server.
  • Youcannot search their file server from Newforma Konekt.
  • Information is not retrievable from Newforma Konekt in the event thatyourfile server is damaged.

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