Connecting other WorkStations (clients/users) to the Database

Connecting other WorkStations (clients/users) to the Database through the Local Network

Before connecting other WorkStations (clients/users) to the Database through the Local Network, make sure:

1. Josytal DB Application SharePoint is installed, configured and running on the server computer

2. You have created an account for the user in the system

3. The client computer is connected to the server computer through the Local Area Network (LAN).

4. Client computer is active in the local area network and disconnected from the Internet

5. Between the Server Computer and the Client computer there are no unresolved restrictions regarding network permission, firewall, SQL or database authentication issues.

6. Multi-user

version of the client application (for example, A-Z Contacts Manager NT) is installed on the computer

To vividly illustrate the process, in the example below A-Z Contacts Manager NT will be used. Configuring other Josytal products (software) that use Multi-User features is basically the same.

Before connection to the server computer/database. Connect button icon - broken plug and socket.

Connecting to the server computer/database.

Successfully connected to the server computer/database. Connect button text has changed to Connected, icon has changed to plugged.

1. Install and/or launch the installed copy of A-Z Contacts Manager NTon the client computer
2. Click the Settings... button. The Options and Settings form will be activated and you will have access to the Database connection parameters tab.

Enter the Port Number being used by Josytal DB Application SharePoint on the server computer (by default it is 55, see configuring Josytal DB Applications SharePoint)
Enter the host (Network IP Address) of the server computer. If A-Z Contacts Manager NT is installed on the same computer as the Josytal DB Applications SharePoint, then Host should be "localhost" or "127.0.0.1" If you are connecting to Josytal DB Applications SharePoint through the LAN, then you must specify the network IP Address of the server computer, where the SharePoint has been installed and running. see - configuring Josytal DB Applications SharePoint)
Set the necessary Connection TimeOut in seconds. Default is 30. You may increase this number if you have a slow network.
If authorization is needed to access the server computer or the database, then in the Authorization group box check the Prompt for password. By default it is Free access - recommended
If Prompt for password has been checked, then specify the necessary UserName and Password combination.
Locate the groupbox labelled Record Ownership. In the Owner ID box, enter the user ID
When done, click Save All and then Close

CAUTION:
Do not click the "Page Unlocked. Click to Lock" button. PIN Code is used to protect this particular tab/page housing the database connection parameters from unauthorized modifications on remote users' workstations. Never click the button until you have configured the workstation and it is functioning properly with the server computer. If you click the button before that point, then the page will be locked and you may be denied access to it forever.

Exit from the program and launch it again
Click Connect button and wait while the application attempts to connect to the server computer and the database through Josytal DB Applications SharePoint. Josytal DB Applications SharePoint will use the combination of client's computer name and his ID to validate or repudiate his rights and privileges to the database. During the attempt, a progress bar will be made visible, indicating the status of the application. The Start button will also be made inactive (fade).
If the attempt is successful and connection has been established, the progress bar will disappear and the Start button will be active, meaning the application is ready. The Connect button icon will change from broken to plugged.

Click on the Start button to enter the application and start work.

Hints:
If some tables are not published with data or data are not loaded, then it means you have set a rather low connection timeout. Go to the Options and Settings form (step2 above). In the Database connection parameters tab, increase the timeout. It will be used next time you launch the program. Alternatively, you can click the Connect... under the main application menu Database. This will nullify all previous connections and attempt to re-connect.

Clicking the Get Computer Name and IP Address button will auto-detect the necessary information, with results displayed in the dialog box. localhost (127.0.0.1) = IP Address when computer is not connected to any network.

You can view user's information, rights and privileges in the system by using the Database >> Account Information menu from main application window.

Using PIN Code to protect database connection parameters page against unauthorized modifications.
After you have successfully established connection to database via Josytal DB Application SharePoint, you can now consider using PIN Code to protect database connection parameters page against unauthorized modifications.

Go back to the server computer, where Josytal DB Application SharePoint has been installed
Run the application.
From the Tools menu, select and click User Accounts. Wait for the utility form and Users tab to load
In the PIN Code box, assign any arbitrary numbers to each workstation.
Click the Save button. Write down the number and the ID
Close the page.

Go to the workstation (remote computer), on which client application has been installed, for example,A-Z Contacts Manager NT.

Run the client application as usual
Click the Settings... button. The Options and Settings form will be activated and you will have access to the Database connection parameters tab. The tab/page should be locked and you can not edit the information on the page. Verify this by trying to edit some of the information.
To unlock the tab/page you will need to enter the PIN Code you have assigned to the workstation.
To unlock, click the button that reads "Unlock Page (PIN Code)"
In the input query box, enter the correct PIN Code. The tab will be unlocked, the text on the button will change to "Page Unlocked. Click to Lock" and you can edit any information in the tab. Verify this by trying to edit some of the information
When done click on the button again to lock the tab.
Keep the PIN Code in a save place.

Database connection parameters tab locked

Database connection parameters tab unlocked

SPECIAL NOTES:
1. Even if you have 1 or 1000 users connecting to the database, you only need 1 copy of Josytal DB Application SharePoint to be installed on the server computer and connected to the database. Other users (workstations) only need to connect to the SharePoint in order to have access to the database.

2. You may install Josytal DB Application SharePoint on the same computer along withA-Z Contacts Manager NT application. For example, if you have only 1 user and one computer. In future other users (workstations) can also connect to the SharePoint >>Database through the computer. The computer will function as server to the rest.

3. Your database and Josytal DB Application SharePoint may be located on different computers. What is important is that you specify the correct connection string to the database for Josytal DB Application SharePoint.

4. If you encounter problems setting up Josytal DB Application SharePoint, then it will be helpful you test the connection between a workstation and the SQL Server and/or Database outside of Josytal DB Application SharePoint. If you can connect via ODBC / DSN from Windows, you will be able to connect through Josytal DB Application SharePoint. Likewise if you are unable to connect via ODBC / DSN from Windows, Josytal DB Application SharePoint is not going to successfully connect to the SQL Server either.
If you are unable to connect via ODBC / DSN from Windows, the problem is not related to Josytal DB Application SharePoint and is likely a network permission, firewall or SQL authentication issue.

5. It is recommended that you remove all restrictions before installation and configurations. Later, you can specify restriction parameters and see how things will work.