EES Overview and Installation

EES Overview

Engineering Equation Solver (EES) (pronounced “ease”) is a Windows-based computational tool for solving systems of coupled algebraic equations and initial-value differential equations. EES is widely used from introductory courses to more advanced ones such as thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.

Key capabilities include:

• Solves large, coupled nonlinear equation systems efficiently
• Solves initial-value ODEs
• Publication-quality plotting and parametric studies
• Linear/nonlinear regression, optimization, uncertainty analysis
• Unit conversion and unit consistency checking
• Built-in property libraries (e.g., steam, air, refrigerants, hydrocarbons, psychrometrics), with support for adding custom data
• User-written functions, procedures, modules, and tabular data integration

Network Requirement (Critical)

EES licensing and access requires you to be on the approved UW network. You must be connected via:

• Campus wireless or campus ethernet, or
• VPN using uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu (students/faculty/staff), or
• Split/Full VPN profile (faculty/staff only)

Connect to VPN before launching EES. If you open EES first and connect VPN afterward, licensing checks may fail until you fully close and relaunch EES.

GlobalProtect VPN setup can be found here: https://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=90370

PLEASE NOTE: Check if you have McAfee on your computer, and make sure your McAfee VPN is turned off. It may automatically turn on each time you open up your computer

Access Options (Non-Windows Users)

EES is designed to run on Microsoft Windows. If you do not have a Windows device, use one of the supported access methods below:

• CAE Lab Computers (on-site)
• XenApp (remote app delivery)

XenApp access instructions: https://kb.wisc.edu/cae/110906

In order to access your I: Drive on a personal device two options are provided below: 

1. Directly mapping your CAE Network Drive to have your I drive show up on your personal device
2. Remote Accessing your CAE Files through a web browser

Option 1: Mapping your CAE Network Drive Guide

When you are in a CAE Windows lab, your files can be found on your I drive. In CAE Linux labs, this same space will be your default home directory.

These instructions help you access your files from computers outside CAE labs. 

**Note you can only reach your network drive from any UW-Madison campus wireless network, or the Engineering or WiscVPN. Details on how to connect to the Engineering VPN here: Installing and Connecting to VPN. If you have not yet activated your Engineering VPN, please follow the instructions here: Activating VPN Access**

How to map your CAE home directory

Windows

1. Open "File Explorer" (Folder Icon in taskbar, otherwise under start menu)

 

2. Right Click "This PC" on the sidebar and click "Map network drive"

3. In "Drive:" enter any available letter

4. In "Folder:" enter \\files.cae.wisc.edu\[login_name_first_initial]\[login_name].  (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 

    Please check the "Connect using different credentials" box to make sure you can sign in with your CAE credentials.  If you only want to have to do this once, choose the checkbox "Reconnect at sign-in."

5. When prompted for your login name and password, be sure to use your CAE login, with the ENGR domain specified before. It should look like: ENGR\johndoe

6. Click "Finish."

Mac OS

1. From Finder, press Command+K
2. Enter the path to your directory: smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/[login_name_first_initial]/[login_name] (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 
3. Click "Connect"
4. Enter your CAE login and password, with the ENGR domain specified, e.g. ENGR\johndoe, and click "OK"
5. The drive is now mounted, however it will disappear when you reboot. To enable persistence do the following:
6. Go to System Preferences from the Apple menu
7. Click on "Accounts" then "Login Items"
8. Click the + button to add another login item
9. Locate the CAE drive you just added, and select "Add"
10. Exit out of system preferences

Linux

 

The addresses of CAE smb shares are smb://groupspace.cae.wisc.edu for CAE Groupspace and smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/<FirstLetterOfCAEUsername>/<CAEUsername> for CAE Filespace. You also need the domain to be ENGR and you will use your CAE credentials

Option 1: File manager

In your desktop file browser (eg. Thunar, Dolphin), use the navigation bar and enter in smb://<servername>/<sharename>.

Depending on which distribution of Linux you are using, you may need to click on "Other Locations" and use the "Connect to Server" field instead of just entering the address into the navigation bar. Example screenshots of both Debian and Ubuntu are included below.

 Debian:

     

 Ubuntu:

     

You should get a prompt asking for your credentials. Be sure to specify the Domain as ENGR and sign in with your CAE credentials.  You can choose how long the password will be saved, but we would recommend selecting Forget Password Immediately, as shown in the Debian image below.  Depending on your distribution of Linux, you may need to specify you are connecting as an Authorized User, instead of an Anonymous one.

 Debian:

   

 Ubuntu:

     

Option 2: Command line

The following command will mount the filesystem in a sub-directory of /run/user/${UID}/gvfs:

$ gio mount smb://<servername>/<sharename>

Make sure the domain is ENGR, and to use your CAE credentials. You can then symlink that somewhere more convenient ie: $ ln -s /run/user/${UID}/gvfs ~/gvfs. Note that gio mount is not persistent and must be run each time the computer is rebooted.

NOTE: You may need to install packages for the commands to be available, including libfuse3 and gvfs-fuse (for Debian/Ubuntu based machines).

Here is an example of creating a mount:

You can see how much disk space you have available, and view a detailed analysis of the files in your Unix/Windows home directory, on the CAE My Account page under "Disk Space".

Option 2: Remote Access your CAE Files on the web Guide

Access to CAE resources requires that you are either on campus or connected through an approved VPN. Please connect using one of the following services:

WiscVPN

Engineering VPN

Important: If you are connected to WiscVPN or Engineering VPN, ensure that no other VPN software (such as McAfee VPN or other third-party VPN clients) is active at the same time. Multiple VPN connections may interfere with authentication and prevent access to CAE services.

Files located on a CAE account can be accessed remotely through https://myfiles.cae.wisc.edu . When accessing this site, you will be prompted to log in using your CAE username and password.

You may also access your files through your My CAE Account page:

• Navigate to my.cae.wisc.edu
• Log in using your CAE username and password
• Select Disk Space
• Click the File Manager link

Download

To download a file, right-click the file and select Download.

Upload

To upload a file, select the Upload button located at the top of the page. Click Browse to select your file, then click Upload to complete the process.

Move Files

To move a file, right-click the file and select Cut. Navigate to the destination folder, right-click within the folder pane, and select Paste.

Folder Navigation

To open a folder, double-click it in either the left or right pane. To move up one directory level, double-click the green Up arrow at the top of the page.

Storage Best Practice: All academic, research, and project files should be saved to your I: Drive. Files stored on local desktops, downloads folders, or temporary locations are not backed up and may be lost. The I: Drive is the approved, backed-up storage location for CAE users.

Alternatively, you can map your CAE Filespace as a Network Drive on your computer.

Mapping Your CAE Network Drive

When you are in a CAE Windows lab, your files can be found on your I drive. In CAE Linux labs, this same space will be your default home directory.

These instructions help you access your files from computers outside CAE labs. 

**Note you can only reach your network drive from any UW-Madison campus wireless network, or the Engineering or WiscVPN. Details on how to connect to the Engineering VPN here: Installing and Connecting to VPN. If you have not yet activated your Engineering VPN, please follow the instructions here: Activating VPN Access**

How to map your CAE home directory

Windows

1. Open "File Explorer" (Folder Icon in taskbar, otherwise under start menu)

 

2. Right Click "This PC" on the sidebar and click "Map network drive"

3. In "Drive:" enter any available letter

4. In "Folder:" enter \\files.cae.wisc.edu\[login_name_first_initial]\[login_name].  (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 

    Please check the "Connect using different credentials" box to make sure you can sign in with your CAE credentials.  If you only want to have to do this once, choose the checkbox "Reconnect at sign-in."

5. When prompted for your login name and password, be sure to use your CAE login, with the ENGR domain specified before. It should look like: ENGR\johndoe

6. Click "Finish."

Mac OS

1. From Finder, press Command+K
2. Enter the path to your directory: smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/[login_name_first_initial]/[login_name] (For example, for the account johndoe, the path is \\files.cae.wisc.edu\j\johndoe.) 
3. Click "Connect"
4. Enter your CAE login and password, with the ENGR domain specified, e.g. ENGR\johndoe, and click "OK"
5. The drive is now mounted, however it will disappear when you reboot. To enable persistence do the following:
6. Go to System Preferences from the Apple menu
7. Click on "Accounts" then "Login Items"
8. Click the + button to add another login item
9. Locate the CAE drive you just added, and select "Add"
10. Exit out of system preferences

Linux

 

The addresses of CAE smb shares are smb://groupspace.cae.wisc.edu for CAE Groupspace and smb://files.cae.wisc.edu/<FirstLetterOfCAEUsername>/<CAEUsername> for CAE Filespace. You also need the domain to be ENGR and you will use your CAE credentials

Option 1: File manager

In your desktop file browser (eg. Thunar, Dolphin), use the navigation bar and enter in smb://<servername>/<sharename>.

Depending on which distribution of Linux you are using, you may need to click on "Other Locations" and use the "Connect to Server" field instead of just entering the address into the navigation bar. Example screenshots of both Debian and Ubuntu are included below.

 Debian:

     

 Ubuntu:

     

You should get a prompt asking for your credentials. Be sure to specify the Domain as ENGR and sign in with your CAE credentials.  You can choose how long the password will be saved, but we would recommend selecting Forget Password Immediately, as shown in the Debian image below.  Depending on your distribution of Linux, you may need to specify you are connecting as an Authorized User, instead of an Anonymous one.

 Debian:

   

 Ubuntu:

     

Option 2: Command line

The following command will mount the filesystem in a sub-directory of /run/user/${UID}/gvfs:

$ gio mount smb://<servername>/<sharename>

Make sure the domain is ENGR, and to use your CAE credentials. You can then symlink that somewhere more convenient ie: $ ln -s /run/user/${UID}/gvfs ~/gvfs. Note that gio mount is not persistent and must be run each time the computer is rebooted.

NOTE: You may need to install packages for the commands to be available, including libfuse3 and gvfs-fuse (for Debian/Ubuntu based machines).

Here is an example of creating a mount:

You can see how much disk space you have available, and view a detailed analysis of the files in your Unix/Windows home directory, on the CAE My Account page under "Disk Space".

Engineering Equation Solver (EES) Installation (Windows)

EES is available for personal installation on Windows through the CAE EES distribution site: https://ees.cae.wisc.edu/

1) Download required files

Download both:

• setup_ees_acad.exe (installer)
• EES.dft (license file)

2) Run the installer

Run setup_ees_acad.exe and complete the installation wizard.

Important: Install EES to a local folder on your computer (e.g., C:\EES or C:\Program Files\...). Do not install directly into OneDrive or other cloud-synced folders. Cloud sync and security controls can cause licensing/config write failures and startup issues.

3) Place the license file (EES.dft) in the install directory

After installation completes, copy EES.dft into the same directory where EES was installed (the folder containing the EES executable). This will typically be your C:\EES32\ Folder

4) Launch EES (while on VPN/UW network)

Confirm you are connected to the UW network (campus network or VPN) and then launch EES.

Support and Escalation

• Suspected EES software defect (vendor issue): Send a description of the problem to info@fchart.com.
• UW environment issue (VPN, CAE storage, XenApp/Citrix, authentication): Contact the CAE Help Desk and include:
  • a screenshot of the error
  • connection method (campus network vs VPN + profile)
  • whether you are using local install vs XenApp
  • timestamp and device OS version
• You can contact the CAE Help Desk with the following:
  • Email: helpdesk@cae.wisc.edu
  • Phone Number: (608)-262-5349
  • Stop by to Wendt Commons Basement

General EES Troubleshooting

1) Startup & Licensing Issues

If EES does not open or closes immediately, the most common issue is the EES.dft license file is missing or not located in the EES installation directory.

Resolution:

1. Locate your EES install directory (e.g., C:\EES or C:\Program Files\...).
2. Confirm EES.dft is in the same folder as the EES executable.
3. If not, copy EES.dft into that directory.
4. Fully close and relaunch EES.

If you are receiving a License error / “Must be connected to the internet”, the most common causes are VPN isn't connected prior to launching the application, Incorrect VPN profile, Firewall/security blocking the connection or Network changed mid-session. 

Resolution:

1. Close EES completely.
2. Connect to campus network or VPN (uwmadison.vpn.wisc.edu + appropriate profile).
3. Confirm the VPN connection is active.
4. Relaunch EES.

If still failing:

• Try a different network (e.g., hotspot) to rule out restrictive networks.
• Restart the computer after VPN installation/updates.
• If permitted, temporarily test with firewall/security controls relaxed to identify outbound blocking.

If EES works on campus and not at home, this is likely a VPN configuration/profile issue or VPN not connected before the launch.

Resolution: 

• Verify you are using the correct VPN profile.
• Connect VPN before launching EES.
• Reconnect VPN if it disconnected silently.
• Fully close EES and relaunch.

2) Installation & Environment Issues

If you installed into OneDrive or a Cloud folder, cloud synchronization can lock files or block configuration writes, causing a licensing and configuration failure. 

Resolution:

• Reinstall EES to a local path (e.g., C:\EES).
• Avoid installing into OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or other cloud-synced locations.

3) File & Storage Issues

If the file can open on one device but not another this is likely due to different EES versions, different unit settings or missing some external modules. 

Resolution:

• Confirm version compatibility between systems.
• Verify unit system settings match.
• Ensure required external procedures/modules are available on both systems.

4) XenApp / Citrix Issues

Clipboard (copy/paste) not working

Likely cause: Citrix clipboard redirection channel issue.

Resolution

• Log out of XenApp fully (do not just close the window), then reconnect.
• Update Citrix Workspace if the issue persists.

5) Preventative Best Practices

• Connect VPN before launching EES.
• Install EES to a local C: drive path (not cloud-synced folders).
• Keep unit systems consistent and verify absolute vs gauge pressure assumptions.
• Provide reasonable initial guesses for nonlinear solves.
• Save files locally first, then copy to network storage.
• When using XenApp, fully log out when finished to prevent session issues.