Autodesk Vault Basic Server
Vault Basic Server is the backbone of Autodesk's entry-level product data management system. It provides centralized, secure storage and version control for CAD files and design documentation, enabling teams using Vault Basic Client to collaborate efficiently and maintain data integrity across engineering projects.
Centralized Data Storage and Management
Vault Basic Server securely hosts all design data in a single repository, giving teams controlled access to the latest versions of their Inventor, AutoCAD, and other Autodesk files. It eliminates file duplication, manual overwrites, and chaotic folder structures common in unmanaged environments.
Robust Version Control Engine
Every file check-in/check-out operation is tracked through the server, maintaining full version histories and audit trails. This ensures design traceability and supports rollback capabilities when necessary.
Client-Server Collaboration Architecture
Vault Basic Server is designed to work seamlessly with Vault Basic Clients installed on users’ workstations. Together, they enable real-time collaboration, secure file access, and efficient sharing of project data across teams.
Key Features
- Secure central repository for design and engineering files
- Support for Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Electrical, and more
- Built-in version control and check-in/check-out tracking
- User, group, and permission management
- Simple deployment with Microsoft SQL Server Express
- Scalable foundation for future upgrades to Vault Professional
Who Uses Vault Basic Server?
Vault Basic Server is ideal for small to medium-sized organizations seeking a cost-effective, on-premise data management solution. It is used by IT administrators and CAD managers to support engineering teams with controlled file storage, collaboration, and secure design workflows.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
Windows Only: Vault Server software is Windows Only. There is no macOS version.
"Basic" vs. "Professional":
Vault Basic is included with many Autodesk subscriptions (like PD&M Collection). It is designed for Small Teams or Single Users.
Unlike Vault Professional, Vault Basic Server can be officially installed on a Windows 10/11 Desktop OS (it does not strictly require a Windows Server OS), making it easier for small firms to deploy.
Component: This list is for the Server (ADMS - Autodesk Data Management Server), not the Client.
🗄️ Windows (Vault Basic Server 2023–2026)
| Operating System (OS) |
Windows 10 / 11 (Pro/Enterprise)<br>Windows Server 2016 / 2019 / 2022
|
Windows 10 or 11 (For small teams)<br>Windows Server 2022 (For stability)<br>(Vault Basic does not require a Server OS, but it is supported)
|
| Database |
Microsoft SQL Server Express<br>(Usually included with installation)
|
SQL Server 2019 / 2022 Express<br>(Note: Vault Basic is generally limited to SQL Express)
|
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 (2.5 GHz) |
Intel Core i7 / i9 or Xeon E-Series<br>Speed: 3.0 GHz+<br>Cores: 4-8 Cores<br>(SQL Server performance relies on CPU clock speed and core count)
|
| Memory (RAM) |
8 GB |
16 GB – 32 GB<br>(SQL Server caches the database in RAM. More RAM = Faster search and check-in/out performance)
|
| Disk Space |
100 GB free space
|
SSD (Solid State Drive) - NVMe<br>(Crucial: The "Knowledge Vault Master" and databases must be on fast storage. Slow HDDs will cause timeout errors.)
|
| Display |
1024 x 768 |
1920 x 1080 (For management console) |
| Network |
100 Mbps |
Gigabit Ethernet (1Gbps)<br>(Essential for transferring large CAD assemblies between the server and clients)
|
| Framework |
.NET Framework 4.8 |
.NET 8 (For 2025/2026 versions) |
🍏 macOS (Vault Server)
Autodesk Vault Server does not run natively on macOS.
| Native Mac App |
❌ Not Supported
|
There is no Vault Server installer for macOS. |
| Parallels Desktop |
⚠️ Technically Possible
|
You can install Vault Basic Server on a Windows VM inside Parallels.<br>Risk: Not recommended for production. If the VM pauses or corrupts, you lose your team's design data. Network bridging issues can also prevent other clients from connecting.
|
| Docker / Linux |
❌ Not Supported
|
Vault Server depends heavily on Windows IIS and Microsoft SQL Server. It cannot run on Linux containers. |
| Mac Client Access |
❌ No Client
|
There is also no native Vault Client for Mac. Mac users must use a Web Client (if available in Pro, but Vault Basic does NOT have a Web Client). Mac users typically need Parallels to run the Vault Client.
|
💡 Performance & IT Advice for Vault Basic
Don't ignore Backup:
Critical: Installing the server is easy, but managing the data is hard. Vault Basic provides a "Vault Console" to run backups.
Requirement: You need an external drive or NAS to store the backups. Do not store the backup on the same drive as the server.
SQL Express Limitations:
Vault Basic comes with SQL Server Express.
Limitation: SQL Express is limited to utilizing 1 GB of RAM (older versions) or roughly 1.4 GB (newer versions) for the buffer pool, and the database size is capped at 10 GB.
If your team generates massive amounts of metadata, you might hit the SQL Express limits, forcing an upgrade to Vault Professional (which supports SQL Standard/Enterprise).
Disk I/O is the Bottleneck:
When a user "Checks Out" an assembly, the server reads files from the "File Store".
Recommendation: Use RAID 1 (Mirror) SSDs for the Operating System and Database for redundancy and speed.
Workgroup Size:
Vault Basic is intended for 1–5 users (typical).
If you have 10+ engineers hitting a Vault Basic server installed on a Windows 10 desktop, Windows connection limits (IIS limitations on non-Server OS) might cause connection drops. In that case, use a real Windows Server OS.
