Locating and installing your Data Server
What to consider before you install SQL Server
HoleBASE SI requires a connection through to a SQL Server database to function correctly and store data. It is worth noting that a SQL Server installation can become resource intensive and can slow machines down. We would therefore ask users to ensure that any machine that SQL Server is being installed on should match at least the Minimum Requirements above if not the Recommended Requirements.
If HoleBASE SI is to be run over a network configuration, we would also recommend that any machines that will connect up to a central database, can readily access the machine that the database will be installed upon.
SQL Server Installation Guide
If you do not currently have an existing SQL Server Database setup then you can use the SQL Server Express installation guide which can be found here. This will guide you through the process of downloading the program, installing it and setting up as necessary.
Creating a new HoleBASE SI database
The first time you run HoleBASE with a new SQL server installation you need to create a new database to store the data. HoleBASE SI will do this for you but you need to follow the steps below to complete the task.
1. When you run HoleBASE SI for the first time you will see the login screen as shown below.
2. Click on the Manage Connections Link to open the connections window. This will display any connections you already have configured for HoleBASE SI. The first time you open this form it will be blank. Click Create Database button.
3. You will now see one of the largest forms in HoleBASE SI and you need to carefully complete each section. There are two sections for username and password. The first section, labelled SA details is the username and password for the SQL server user that has rights to create new databases. This is usually different from the main users details.
a. Connection Name:- This is the name the connection will be shown in the HoleBASE user interface. You can use any name for this parameter.
b. SA Username and Password: There are the details for the user that has permission to create a new database in the SQL server install and will have been provided to you by your IT department.
c. Server: This is the server name that the SQL server is running on. The server name should be the same as the server name you use to login into the SQL server management studio. If you are unsure and your IT department has the SQL browser installed on your server you can use the Browse button to locate your server.
d. Database Name:- This is the exact name for the database that you wish to setup in SQL server. It is recommended that you use HoleBASE SI as your default name.
e. Database Username and Password: Select "Create New User" and then add the user name and password, or select use an existing user by adding their username and password.
4. Click the Test Connection button to ensure that a connection can be made to the database and then click Save to create the database. The processing of creating the database and saving the information will also set up the connection to the server in this copy of HoleBASE SI. If you wish to connect other copies to HoleBASE SI to this server you need to follow the "Connecting to an existing HoleBASE SI database procedure above and you do not need to repeat this procedure.
Connecting to an existing HoleBASE SI Database
If you have installed HoleBASE SI using the SQL Server install routine and are planning to run HoleBASE Locally on a single machine then you do not need to worry about connecting it to a SQL server as this step is configured automatically for you during the installation process.
If you are connecting to a network SQL server then you must follow the steps below.
1. When you run HoleBASE SI for the first time you will see the login screen as shown below.
2. Click on the Manage Connections Link to open the connections window. This will display any connections you already have configured for HoleBASE SI. The first time you open this form it will be blank. Click New Connection to link to an existing database that has been set up for HoleBASE SI. Note: If you have not yet created a HoleBASE SI database then you need to click the Create Database button and follow the steps in the next section of this guide.
3. The Connections form will be displayed as shown below and you need to enter the following information that will have been supplied to you by your IT department.
a. Name:- This is the name the connection will be shown in the HoleBASE user interface. You can use any name for this parameter.
b. Database Name:- This is the exact name for the database that has already been set up within SQL server.
c. Server: This is the server name that the SQL server is running on. The server name should be the same as the server name you use to login into the SQL server management studio. If you are unsure and your IT department has the SQL browser installed on your server you can use the Browse button to locate your server.
d. Username and Password: This will have been provided to you by your IT department or set up in the "create new database" procedure.
