Model Manager Updates
Version 6.4 of the COMSOL® software introduces new file management, browser access, and workflow features to the Model Manager server and support for batch and cluster studies to the Model Manager. Learn about these updates and more below.
Upload and Download MPH Files
With version 6.4, it is possible to save models to a database by uploading MPH files via the Model Manager server web interface. Any model created in COMSOL Multiphysics® version 5.3 or later may be saved in this manner. Uploading a model does not check out any product licenses.
Models can also be downloaded as MPH files via the web interface — optionally excluding their built, computed, and plotted data to keep file size and download time minimal. Uploaded and downloaded files preserve their format as originally saved in COMSOL Multiphysics®, enabling the archiving of files created in older versions of COMSOL Multiphysics® while still being able to open the files in those same COMSOL Multiphysics® versions in the future.
Saving a model version to a Model Manager database by uploading an MPH file. The saved model version can later be downloaded as an MPH file with built, computed, and plotted data optionally excluded.
Open Model in COMSOL Multiphysics® from Web Browser
A model can now be opened directly in COMSOL Multiphysics® by clicking the new Open in COMSOL Desktop button in the Model Manager server web interface. It is possible to select whether to open a model in an already running COMSOL Multiphysics® session, if one is available, or launch a new session. Opening a model requires an installation of COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.4 on the client computer and is only supported for client computers on the Windows® operating system.
A new Open in COMSOL Desktop button on the Model page makes it possible to easily open a model found in the Model Manager server web interface.
Browse Model Contents from Web Browser
The model tree of a model can now be viewed on its Model page. This makes it possible to quickly review a model’s setup by browsing its components, physics, studies, results, and other model nodes without first opening the model in COMSOL Multiphysics®. The add-on products required to build the model are shown in a new Product requirements field on the same page.
Browsing the model tree of a model version on its Model page makes it possible to quickly scan the model's features.
Using Workflows to Set Up Organizational Processes
A new workflow management system has been added to the Model Manager server web interface. The system makes it possible for administrators to set up organizational processes and other business rules by adding workflows to assets. This includes, for example, defining the various stages of an internal process, the groups of people involved in each stage, and how the process transitions between different stages.
An administrator can customize the asset management system by designating a field on the Asset page to represent a stage of a given process. Different stages are reached by clicking buttons automatically generated on the page.
Study Support for Batches and Clusters
In COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.4, batch and cluster studies can be configured to use models and data stored in a Model Manager database via their Settings windows in the COMSOL Desktop®. This makes it possible to easily store batch output in the same Model Manager database that is used to version-control the models. The database can be either a local database or a server database accessed through a Model Manager server.
Using a Model Manager database for batch model storage allows cluster jobs to load and save models directly in the database.
Version Compatibility
Local databases can be shared between COMSOL Multiphysics® versions 6.0–6.4, as the database format is designed for both backward and forward compatibility. However, models saved to a database from a specific COMSOL Multiphysics® version can only be opened in that version and in later versions.
COMSOL Multiphysics® version 6.4 also supports connections to Model Manager server versions 6.0–6.4, although certain new Model Manager functionality is disabled in the COMSOL Desktop® when connected to an older server version. This includes, for example, the filter and sort options added to the Model Manager search tool and maintenance operations for models and data files; see the 6.1–6.4 Release Notes for details.
Model Manager server version 6.4 accepts connections from COMSOL Multiphysics® versions 6.0–6.4.
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