Server and Database Setup

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This page is to help install an instance of the SQL Server database and configure it for use.

Installing and configuring SQL Server

A Microsoft SQL Server database is used to hold and manage all information associated with PRAMSX2. The first decision you must make is which version of SQL Server you will use. PRAMSX2 is verified to work with all SQL Server versions from SQL Server 2008 to SQL Server 2016, including the Express versions. Your PRAMS support representative will discuss this with you and recommend the best version for your situation.

Regardless of the version you choose to install there are a few items to be aware of when installing or using an existing SQL Server.

Instance Databases

The decision on whether to use instances may be made for you if the SQL Server already exists. If you are installing a new SQL Server you have the option of using them or not. Your PRAMS support representative will discuss whether you should specify instances or not. If instances are used the SQL Server Browser service must be enabled and the users must specify both the host and the instance when connecting to the SQL Server.

Mixed Mode Authentication and TCP/IP

All client processes use a direct TCP/IP connection to the SQL Server. To allow this you must enable mixed mode authentication during the installation process (or enable it later using the SQL Server Management Studio). If you are using an Express version of SQL Server the default setting do not enable TCP/IP connections. Once the installation of SQL Server is complete you will need to use the server configuration manager to enable this. You will be reminded that you need to stop and start the SQL Server service to enable these changes. If you are using an existing SQL Server that has already been installed you can skip the next section and continue on to ‘Creating the PRAMSX2 database user’.

Performing an new installation of SQL Server

Once you have determined which version of SQL Server you will be using you’ll need to acquire the installation package for that version. Whichever version is to be used you should make sure that it includes the SQL Server Management Studio. The installation .exe will normally have ‘WT’ in the filename, which stands for ‘With Tools’.

Run the installation process in normal fashion and accept the default setting provided with the following exceptions:

  • Specify that you will use ‘Mixed Mode’ authentication. This mode allows both Windows Authentication and direct SQL authentication. You will be required to specify and ‘sa’ password. This password should be chosen by you and should be a secure password as it is the super user password for the SQL Server.
  • Specify whether you will be using instances or not. If you choose to use instances you can either take the default name provided or enter one of your own. We recommend renaming the instance to ‘PRAMS’ so that it is easy to identify once the installation is complete.

The installation of Microsoft SQL Server can take anywhere from 5-30 minutes. Once it is complete close the installation program.

If you have installed an Express version you’ll need to access the SQL Server Configuration Manager and enable TCP/IP as discussed above.

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