Database Connections

The database connection defines how most GainSeeker applications connect to the GainSeeker database.

When you install GainSeeker on your network, a default database connection is automatically created for you. However, if you need to change the settings for connecting to your GainSeeker database, or if you need to maintain multiple GainSeeker databases (for example, on different database servers), you can change the settings for your database connection or create additional database connections. You will also need to modify your current database connection if you change your database server.

Some legacy applications still use ODBC connections to connect to the GainSeeker database. For this reason, the current version of GainSeeker requires that you have both an ODBC datasource and an ADO.NET connection string set up. After changing the default database connection, use these instructions to update the ODBC datasource on each workstation.

To begin editing database connections

1. Launch the Administration module from the Start menu or from the LaunchPad module.

2. When prompted, log in as a user with rights to use this module. If you have not yet set up GainSeeker users, choose SPC MANAGER.

3. On the System Administration screen, click the Database Connections tab and expand the Connections tree.
   
   

On this tab, you can perform any of the following tasks.

Editing and testing a database connection

Right-click the database connection, and then click Edit. This displays the Pick Datasource screen:

Change the settings you want to edit. For an explanation of the settings on this screen, see Creating a new database connection.

To test this database connection, click Test.

To save your changes, click OK.

Quickly viewing the settings for a database connection

Right-click the database connection, and then click View. This displays the Pick Datasource screen:

Renaming a database connection

1. Right-click the database connection, and then click Rename.

2. On the New Connection screen, enter a new name for this database connection and then click OK.

Creating a new database connection

1. There are two ways to begin creating a new database connection:

• Copy an existing database connection:

On the Database Connections tab, right-click a database connection and then click Copy.

• Create a new blank database connection:

On the Database Connections tab, right-click the Connections tree.

2. On the New Connection screen, enter a name for this new database connection and then click OK.

This displays the Pick Datasource screen:

3. Click the Database Provider list and select the provider that is appropriate for your GainSeeker database:

4. Enter the other information on this screen that is needed to connect to your GainSeeker database.

The fields provided on this screen will vary with the type of Data Provider you selected. For some fields, you can click the button to fill the list of options and then the drop-down arrow to show the list again.

You can also use the Options box to enter any additional connection string parameters that do not match any of the other fields provided on this screen. More information can be found at the web addresses listed below:

5. Click Test to test the database connection.

If the test was not successful, you will need to change one or more settings before saving the database connection.

6. After the database connection has been successfully tested, click OK.

Setting the default connection

The default connection is the database connection that the most GainSeeker applications will automatically use to connect to the GainSeeker database.

When only a single database connection exists, it is automatically the default connection.

When more than one database connection exists, you can choose which will be the default connection by right-clicking that database connection and then clicking Default connection.

If you want for the GainSeeker applications to display a list of the database connections that exist on the Database Connections tab, right-click any database connection and then click Select connection at runtime.

Deleting a database connection

To delete a database connection, right-click the database connection and then click Delete.

You cannot delete the default connection. If you need to delete the default connection, first set another database connection to be the default connection.

Picking a database connection at run-time

See Parameters for database connection and system-wide settings