Microsoft SQL Server

CustomTools uses Microsoft SQL Server as the database engine so you need to have the SQL Server installed into the computer used as the database server.


Supported versions of Microsoft SQL Server:

Since the Microsoft SQL Server also supports the 32-bit and 64-bit platforms, the CustomTools setup detects the target platform automatically and the corresponding version of the SQL Server is installed into the workstation to optimize the performance on the platform level.


SQL Server installation:

One SQL Server instance is enough for the CustomTools environment. An existing instance of supported SQL server could be used with CustomTools as well.

CustomTools installer automatically defines a static port for the Microsoft SQL Server instance installed using the CustomTools Database component available in under the Server group in CustomTools Custom setup. CustomTools installer sets up an SQL Server instance called CUSTOMTOOLS which uses a static TCP port 14330. CustomTools setup also defines an inbound rule for TCP Port 14330 to allow client workstations to establish connection with the SQL Server through the fixed TCP port set by the CustomTools installer.

Info NOTE: CustomTools Trial installation always installs the SQL Server for the CustomTools Database if an existing SQL Server instance is not found from the workstation.
  1. Run the CustomTools installer package.
  2. Select Custom setup.
  3. Select the CustomTools Database feature located in the Server features.
  4. Specify a password for the sa user of the CustomTools Database.

    Define the sa user password in the Define SQL Server Password dialog box, that appears when you install CustomTools for the first time into the workstation.

When installing SQL Server the installer prompts you to specify password for the sa user. The sa user password is needed when creating database. The sa password should be stored safely and it should not be exposed unnecessarily to other users.

Info NOTE: The Define SQL Server Password dialog box does not appear at all if you have already a Mircosoft SQL Server installed. Then, please contact your system administrator in case you need to login to the SQL Server as an sa user.

SQL Server Browser Service:

SQL Server Browser service is included in an SQL Server installation. CustomTools setup sets the SQL Server Browser to start automatically on Windows startup.

SQL Server Browser works also as a network service using an UDP Port 1434. An inbound rule to your Windows Firewall is created also for the SQL Browser's UDP Port 1434 to ease visibility of the server for the client workstations.


Changing the fixed port defined for the SQL Server:

By the first, run the SQL Server Configuration Manager (Click Start, All Programs, Microsoft SQL Server 20xx, Configuration Tools, SQL Server Configuration Manager).

  1. Expand the SQL Server Network Configuration node and then select Protocols for <SQLServerInstanceName>.
  2. Double-click TCP/IP in the right side pane. The TCP/IP Properties dialog box appears with the Protocol tab active.
  3. Click the IP Addresses tab.
  4. Scroll down the list until you see the IPAll group.
  5. Under the IPAll group, enter an available TCP port number into the TCP Port box. (For example 14333)
Info NOTE: You may need to edit or create exceptions into your firewall in relation to the fixed port defined for the SQL Server instance.

Windows Authentication in SQL Server:

As your CustomTools environment may use the CustomTools database so that you login to the SQL Server using Windows authentication. To allow that when installing the SQL Server into the database server using the CustomTools Database component available in CustomTools installers, the followign Windows users/user groups are added into the CUSTOMTOOLS SQL Server instance's administrators:





Related Topics

Database Management Tools
Rules for the strong password
Password specification from the Microsoft SQL Server user interface
Common tips and glossary of the CustomTools SOLIDWORKS Add-in

CustomTools Environment diagram

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