Preparing to use the SQL Server database

Before you define the database interface and connect to a Microsoft SQL Server database in DataWindow Designer, follow these steps to prepare the database for use:

Install and configure the required database server, network, and client software.

Install the SQL Native Client database interface.

Verify that you can connect to the Microsoft SQL Server server and database outside DataWindow Designer.

Step 1: Install and configure the database server

You must install and configure the database server, network, and client software for SQL Server.

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

Make sure the Microsoft SQL Server database software is installed and running on the server specified in your database profile.

You must obtain the database server software and required licenses from Microsoft Corporation. For installation instructions, see your Microsoft SQL Server documentation.

Upgrading from an earlier version of SQL Server For instructions on upgrading to a later version of SQL Server or installing it alongside an earlier version, see your Microsoft SQL Server documentation.

If you are accessing a remote SQL Server database, make sure the required network software (for example, TCP/IP) is installed and running on your computer and is properly configured so that you can connect to the SQL Server database server at your site.

For installation and configuration instructions, see your network or database administrator.

Install the required Microsoft SQL Native Client software on each client computer on which DataWindow Designer is installed.

You must obtain the SQL Native Client software from Microsoft. Make sure the version of the client software you install supports all of the following:

The operating system running on the client computer
The version of the database that you want to access
The version of DataWindow Designer that you are running

For installation instructions, see your Microsoft SQL Server 2005 documentation.

Make sure the SQL Native Client client software is properly configured so that you can connect to the SQL Server database server at your site.

For configuration instructions, see your Microsoft SQL Server 2005 documentation.

Make sure the directory containing the SQL Native Client software is in your system path.

Make sure only one copy of the Sqlncli.dll file is installed on your computer.

Step 2: Install the database interface

In the DataWindow Designer Setup program, select the Custom install and select the SQL Native Client database interface.

Step 3: Verify the connection

Make sure you can connect to the SQL Server server and database you want to access from outside DataWindow Designer.

To verify the connection, use any Windows-based utility that connects to the database. When connecting, be sure to specify the same parameters you plan to use in your DataWindow Designer database profile to access the database.