Background

Once a workstation is configured to use data on the network, it is often desired to configure other workstations the same way. Besides manually configuring the Setup dialog on each workstation to be set the same, the Setup.xml file can be copied to the other workstations. This will transfer all the settings on the Setup dialog on the configured workstation to the destination workstation(s).

The Setup.xml file is found in the following path:

[ promis.e program data ]\Config\Setup.xml

[ Substation program data ]\Config\Setup.xml

Steps to Accomplish

V8i SELECTseries 8

Starting with the V8i SELECTseries 8 releases of promis.e and Bentley Substation, the password security for the SQL Authentication on the Setup dialog was improved and uses a security certificate for encryption. Upon installation of promis.e / Bentley Substation, a unique certificate is installed on the workstation. While this improves security, it prevents the simple distribution of the Setup.xml file to other workstations from working. This is because the Setup.xml file identifies the security certificate the software should use by its thumbprint, and each workstation will have a unique certificate with a unique thumbprint installed. Below are the options for maintaining the improved security while distributing a common configuration.

Option 1 - Install a common security certificate

1. Create a security certificate and install this same certificate on each workstation.
2. On one workstation:
   1. Configure promis.e / Bentley Subststation to use the security certificate to encrypt the password
   2. Configure the Setup dialog to use the desired resources.
3. Distribute the Setup.xml file to the other workstations. Rename or backup the original Setup.xml file on the destination workstations before distributing the configured Setup.xml file in case the as-installed configuration needs to be restored.

See the Create a security certificate for password encryption article for details about this procedure.

Option 2 - Use Windows Authentication

The security certificate is only used when SQL server authentication is used on Setup. If Windows authentication is used, the Setup.xml file can be distributed to other workstations without needing to create and install a common security certificate. SQL Server tools must be used to configure each user's Windows login in SQL Server or else the user will not be able to connect.

Option 3 - Copy and paste setup.xml contents

To avoid the need to create a common security certificate while using SQL server authentication, the security certificate unique to each workstation could be used. This would entail combining the as-installed Setup.xml file of the destination workstation with the Setup.xml file configured as desired and ready to be distributed. The thumbprint value for the certificate on the destination workstation would need to be preserved with this method.

1. Rename the Setup.xml file of the destination workstation to Original_Setup.xml.
2. Copy the configured Setup.xml file to the \Config folder of the workstation (where Original_Setup.xml resides).
3. Open the Original_Setup.xml file on the destination workstation using a text editor such as Notepad.
4. Copy the "Certificate thumbprint" line to the clipboard. This line is highlighted below.
   
   <Configuration using="ANSI-IEEE Default">
     <Log Enable="false" Prefix="@" Postfix="@" />
     <OEM Feature="0" />
     <Certificate thumbprint="D07B60E49E688709ED73D21D90A747519DBBBF5A" />
     <Config name="ANSI-IEEE Default">
   
   
5. Open the configured Setup.xml file on the destination workstation in a text editor such as Notepad.
6. Paste the copied line over the "Certificate thumbprint" line in the configured Setup.xml.
7. Save the Setup.xml file.

Option 4 - Manually configure each workstation

The setup configuration can be distributed by simply setting the settings on the Setup dialog on each workstation.

through V8i SELECTseries 7

In versions prior to V8i SELECTseries 8 (08.11.13.xx), the configured Setup.xml can be distributed by copying it to the other workstations.

1. Rename or backup the original Setup.xml file on the destination workstations before distributing the configured Setup.xml file in case the as-installed configuration needs to be restored.
2. Copy the Setup.xml file from a configured workstation to the same folder on the workstations to be configured.

See Also

Network Installation Guide

Create a security certificate for password encryption