Microsoft SQL Server

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

Supported Versions of Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server 2022
Microsoft SQL Server 2019
Microsoft SQL Server 2017
Microsoft SQL Server 2016
Microsoft SQL Server 2014
Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Installation of Microsoft SQL Server is supported on x64 processors only. It is no longer supported on x86 processors.

SQL Server Installation

One SQL Server instance is enough for the ATR CustomTools environment. An existing instance of a supported SQL Server can also be used with ATR CustomTools.

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

NOTE: ATR CustomTools Standalone installation always installs SQL Server for the ATR CustomTools Database if an existing SQL Server instance is not found on the workstation.

Run the ATR CustomTools installer package.
Select Custom setup.
Select the ATR CustomTools Database feature located in the Server features.
Specify a password for the sa user of the ATR CustomTools Database.
Define the sa user password in the Define SQL Server Password dialog box, which appears when you install ATR CustomTools for the first time on the workstation.

While installing SQL Server through the ATR CustomTools installer, you are prompted to specify a password for the SQL Server sa user. The sa user's password is needed for the following maintenance tasks of ATR CustomTools:

Creation of a new ATR CustomTools database
Upgrading your ATR CustomTools database during an upgrade of your ATR CustomTools Service Pack or Major version
Creation of External Database links defined in ATR CustomTools Administration

The sa password should be stored safely and not exposed unnecessarily to other users.

NOTE: The Define SQL Server Password dialog box does not appear if you already have an instance of Microsoft SQL Server installed. In that case, please contact your system administrator regarding SQL Server maintenance tasks that require the sa user credentials.

SQL Server Browser Service

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

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

Changing the Fixed Port Defined for SQL Server

To change the fixed port defined for SQL Server:

Run the SQL Server Configuration Manager (Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 20xx > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager).
Expand the SQL Server Network Configuration node and select Protocols for <SQLServerInstanceName>.
Double-click TCP/IP in the right pane. The TCP/IP Properties dialog box appears with the Protocol tab active.
Click the IP Addresses tab.
Scroll down to the IPAll group.
Under IPAll, enter an available TCP port number in the TCP Port box (e.g., 14333).

NOTE: You may need to edit or create exceptions in your firewall for the fixed port defined for the SQL Server instance.

Windows Authentication in SQL Server

Your ATR CustomTools environment may use the ATR CustomTools database so that you log in to SQL Server using Windows authentication. To allow this when installing SQL Server on the database server using the ATR CustomTools Database component, the following Windows users/user groups are added to the ATR CustomTools SQL Server instance's administrators:

Database server's BUILTIN\Administrators user group
The local Windows user logged in to the database server while installing the ATR CustomTools Database component