Skip Navigation Links.
MISSING BANNER
Download Center >> Install Instructions >> Database

Database Installation and Configuration

 

Server Information

It is recommended to use a 64-bit version of the latest Microsoft Server operating system (i.e., Server 2008 R2 64-bit) with plenty of RAM.

This server must be accessible from the web server and the server running the builder/bulk loader service.

MS SQL Server Installation and Configuration

An instance of the MS SQL Database server is utlized for the SobekCM system. An existing instance can easily be utilized if there is sufficient resources (in particular RAM).

If you do not have a license for a version of Microsoft SQL Server, the Microsoft SQL Server with Advanced Features, especially for smaller libraries, or libraries with less metadata. As the library increases in size, complexity, and usage, you may need to migrate to a different version of Microsoft SQL.

When downloading and installing the SQL Server Express edition note the following:

  • Be sure to get the Advanced Services and latest patch. (i.e. Microsoft SQL Server2008 R2 RTM - Express with Advanced Services).
  • Enable full-text features during installation
  • If the database is on a different server, you will need to run the Sql Server Configuration Manager to enable TCP/IP on that server
  • Depending on how you want to connect to that server, you may need to enable/start the SQL Server Browser as well.

SobekCM Database Creation

There are two options for creating the SobekCM database.

Option 1: Create as part of the web application install

During the initial installation process for the web application, you will be asked to enter the connection string to connect to the SobekCM database. You will also be given the opportunity to create the database, if it does not exist. The installer/configuration tool will download the latest SQL server script and execute it.

For this option, your MS SQL instance must be either set to Windows or mixed authentication, and you will need rights to create new databases.

See the instructions on the web server installation for information about creating the database from this configuration tool.

 

Option 2: Create "manually" from the SQL Management Studio

The first option is generally recommended over this option, but if you wish you can create the database manually.

For this option, you can use a management studio version for running the installation script. There is also a free Express version of the Management Studio. This does not need to be installed on the same server as the database, it just needs to be able to access the database. This may also install with the SQL instance, depending on the version you install and your install options.

Once the database instance is ready, download and run the lates SobekCM database creation script to create the database and execute the script in the Studio. You can change the name of the database catalog near the top of the script, if you do not want to use the default.

You will need to add users to the correct roles. Add all service accounts (used in the IIS setup and in the scheduled task setup for the builder/bulk loader) to the 'sobek_user' and 'sobek_builder' roles.

 

This completes the configuration of the database server.

 

 

Testing connectivity to your database from your web server

Below is a link to a MSDN article that gives a very simple way to test connectivity from your web server to your database server. Simple add an empty file names test.udl (or anything ending in .udl actually) on your web server. Clicking on it should bring up a small screen that will allow you to test connectivity from that computer to any database server, using whatever credentials or security type you want. Very helpful!

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/steverac/archive/2010/12/14/test-remote-sql-connectivity-easily.aspx

In addition, once you connect to the database, the connection string to use will now be in the UDL file, so you can cut and paste it into the appropriate SobekCM configuration files.