Database Setup Tool Configuration and Explanation [FAQ]


  
 Applies To 
  
 Product(s):SELECTserver
 Version(s):All
 Environment: N/A
 Area: N/A
 Subarea: N/A
 Original Author:James White, Bentley Technical Support Group
  

The SELECTServer application is really two separate parts working in conjunction with each other. One part is the SELECTServer Administration Site interface. This is where all actions concerning the SELECTServer application are viewed and completed. The other is the actual SQL Database. This contains your physical licensing information along with your specific site configurations and usage information. When viewing the SELECTserver Administration site the bulk of the information in front of you is pulled directly from the SQL database and presented on the page. The rest is static information to allow you to navigate to the requested information. All of this brings us to the connecting and often forgotten piece of the SELECTserver application the DATABASE SETUP (DSU) tool.

The Bentley SELECTserver Database Setup (DSU) tool is the interface for connection to your SQL Database for both the Express and Fully Deployed versions. The DSU defines the user that has permission to actually do the work in the database. The default and preferred method of defining this user is to us a “Specific Username and Password”. This is configured by using a radio button under the SERVER section of the DSU. The other option is the “Use windows NT Integrated Security”. More information concerning that configuration is located in the SELECTserver HELP file.

Please keep in mind for the conversation concerning this document that this utility we are viewing is for the most part “automatically filled in” during the SELECTServer installation process with the default configurations being the “sa” user and a password implemented by the Administrator during the install. The point of this document is to explain the utility and the configurations. Please note that the database “password” is entered by the administrator and is “NEVER” transmitted to Bentley Systems. The technical Support analyst will not be able to “tell you your password” for the database connection. When using your own privately purchased SQL Server Database or connecting to a different DB this information will help you understand the connections involved. With that said let’s get started.

UNDERSTANDING THE DATABASE SETUP TOOL

At the end of the installation process the installer will launch the SELECT Server Database Setup Utility. You will need to provide the following information about your database installation:.

Let's review the components.

  1. Upon completion of the installation process, the Bentley SELECT Server  Database Setup dialog box opens.

    or
  2. From the Start Menu, select All Programs > Bentley > SELECT Server > SELECTserver Database Setup.

    Note: Newer operating systems (Windows 7 and later) require you to use a "right-click" and select the "run as administrator" option to ensure you have proper permissions to implement the configurations.

The Bentley SELECT Server Database Setup dialog box opens.

This dialog box may appear slightly different between versions but the functionality remains the same. It will contain the following sections

 SERVER:
Where you defined the server name, instance, and the account in charge of communicating with the Database

Specific user:                           Default setting.
Windows NT integrated security:       Optional

 Create Database As User:
User Name:     (sa) The default user for a SQL Express installation
Password:        Defined by the administrator during installation

  Run As User:
Use the Same user as above:  Default setting when implementing a specific user

 This can be changed to run as a user with fewer privileges than the administrator (usually Database Owner “DBO”) but that would be left up to the Database Administrator for the site. Bentley Systems recommends the default settings and offers no guide lines on this alternate configuration. On a site where a fully developed SQL Server is deployed there should be a Database administrator (DBA) who will understand and be tasked with supporting this option internally for you.

 Database:
The actual “room” defined in the database instance where your specific information will be stored and maintained.

 Database Information:
Three notched tabs that contain specific information about the overall status, database details and server details. This information “cannot” be edited from this location.

Let's review a real-world DSU Configuration

This is a default install of SELECTServer 09.00.00.99 with a default SQL Express installation “delivered” during the install.

 SERVER:
My server name is WHITJ1530EXT. The database instance is named SELECTSERVER

Specific user:                                       Selected the “Use a specific username and password” option
Windows NT integrated security:        (not implemented)

 Create Database As User:
User Name:     sa The default user for a SQL Express installation system administrator
Password:        Defined by the administrator during installation

 Run As User:
Use the Same user as above:  Default setting when implementing a specific user
The default installation has no need to implement the “run as user” option

 Database:
Bentley03:  Just a name I choose when I selected the “NEW” button and created the database, There is no significance to the name. If connection to a fully deployed SQL Server there could be options available here.

      

Database Information:
Three notched tabs that contain specific information about the overall status, database details and server details of the defined database. This information “cannot” be edited from this location.

To configure your SQL database

  1. Upon completion of the installation process, the Bentley SELECT Server Database Setup dialog box opens.

    or

    From the Start Menu, select All Programs > Bentley > SELECT Server > SELECTserver Database Setup.

      2.  Enter your SQL Server name in the Server text box.

           If you are not using the Default instance of SQL Server, you will need to provide the instance name (format
          of SERVERNAME\INSTANCENAME). You can always safely identify the INSTANCE and DATABASE name.

 

      3. Select the “Use a specific username and password” option.

          The SELECT Server service runs as system service; therefore it is not recommend you use
          Windows NT Integrated security.

     4. Enter the password for your database user in the Password field

     5. (Optional) If you are running SQL Server, you can set the Run As User option.
        The Database setup utility requires a user with administrative rights on the SQL Server in order to create the
         required tables and stored procedures. However when the SELECT Server application is running, you only
         need to have select, insert and delete rights to the database. If you do not want the SELECT Server application
         to run as the SQL Admin account, uncheck the “Use the same user as above check box and enter the
          User name and Password in the fields provided.

     6. Select the Database to be used by the SELECT Server application from the drop down list or click “New”
          and enter a new database name in the Create Database dialog box for example “bentley03”.

      

     7. Click “OK” to return to the Bentley SELECTServer application’s Database Setup dialog box. Allow the application 
         few minutes to complete its database task if needed. New databases have to create an appropriate working 
         area (database schema) for its license and usage storage.

     8. Clicking the ”OK” button once more completes the configuration process.

Please feel free to contact Bentley Technical Support if you have questions or require additional assistance.

 

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

Licensing TechNotes and FAQs 

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

SELECTservices page on Bentley website

TechNotes and FAQ archive

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