Preparing to use the ADO.NET interface

Before you define the interface and connect to a database using ADO.NET:

Install and configure the database server, network, and client software.
Install the ADO.NET interface.
Install Microsoft’s Data Access Components version 2.6 or higher software on your machine.

Step 1: Install and configure the data server

You must install and configure the database server and install the network software and client software.

To install and configure the database server, network, and client software:

Make sure the appropriate database software is installed and running on its server.

You must obtain the database server software from your database vendor. For installation instructions, see your database vendor’s documentation.
Make sure the required network software (such as TCP/IP) is installed and running on your computer and is properly configured so that you can connect to the data server at your site. You must install the network communication driver that supports the network protocol and operating system platform you are using.

For installation and configuration instructions, see your network or data source administrator.
If required, install the appropriate client software on each client computer on which DataWindow Designer is installed.

Client software requirements To determine client software requirements, see your database vendor’s documentation.

Step 2: Install the ADO.NET interface

In the DataWindow Designer Setup program, select the Custom install and select the ADO.NET database interface.

Step 3: Install the Microsoft Data Access Components software

The DataWindow Designer ADO.NET interface requires the functionality of the Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) version 2.6 or higher software.

To check the version of MDAC, download and run the MDAC Component Checker utility from the Microsoft Data Access Downloads page.

If MDAC version 2.6 or higher is not installed, you can install it by running the file mdac_typ.exe found in the Support directory.

OLE DB data providers installed with MDAC When you run the mdac_typ file, several Microsoft OLE DB data providers are automatically installed, including the provider for SQL Server, SQLOLEDB, which can be used with ADO.NET.