Managing SQL Server Connection Settings

You use the Database Configuration utility (iBaseConfig) to manage SQL Server settings held in an iBase connection file (whether a security connection file or a database connection file).

About this task

You can change:
  • The name of the server that holds the database.
  • The server login name and password for all users if SQL Server authentication is used.
  • The security mechanism that is used: SQL Server authentication or Windows™ authentication (integrated security).
  • Database Access Tokens.
Typically, you use the Database Configuration utility when you use SQL Server tools to change the server instance or login details for existing databases. For example:
  • After you create a database, you can change the SQL Server login that is used by the iBase application to one with fewer permissions.
  • After you use backup and restore tools to move a database from one server to another, you can reestablish a connection between iBase and SQL Server.
You can inspect many of these details in the Database Properties dialog within iBase or iBase Designer. The advantage of using the Database Configuration utility is that it displays these settings without opening the database on the server, so that you can specify a different server and test the connection.
Note: You must update any copies of the connection files held on other machines. Users are unable to connect to the server if the path or file name is different and see the message: The security file has failed an integrity check. Access is denied.

Procedure

  1. In iBase Database Configuration, enter the following details and then click Next:
    OptionDescription
    Security File Name Enter the name of the security (.ids) file or the security connection file that secures the database connection file. If you want to change the connection details for a security connection file, leave Database File Name blank.
    Database File Name Enter the name of the database connection (.idb) file. By entering a database file name, you change the connection details for the database that contains the entity and link data rather than the security data.
    User Name, Password Enter the user name and password of an iBase System Administrator (that is, a member of an iBase database management group with all permissions granted).
    When you click Next, the connection file is opened, the connection settings are read, and the database and SQL Server information is displayed.
  2. You can change many of the settings, for example if you move the database to another server or want to change the method of login to an existing server. However, you cannot change the database type or database name.
    OptionDescription
    Server Specify the name of the server. You must enter a name that can be seen from network client computers. If you are working on the server computer, this means that you cannot choose (local) or its equivalent presentation as a single period (.).
    Login Name, Password After selecting a server, you must choose the authentication method to be used for connection to the SQL Server instance. You can use either SQL Server or Windows authentication:
    • To use SQL Server authentication, enter the SQL Server login name and password. You can enter the details of any user who has the appropriate access rights on the server.
    Use Windows Authentication To use Windows authentication, turn on the Use Windows Authentication check box. Each iBase session will log on to the database using the Windows login name with which the user started their Windows session.
    Note: The Database Name box displays the name of the Microsoft™ SQL Server database that the connection file (.idb file) connects to. It is not possible to change this name. This prevents a user from connecting to a database where they do not have access by using a connection file for which they do have access permissions.
    Note: Click Test to check that the details are valid.
    When you click Next the Database Access Tokens are displayed.
  3. To create new Database Access Tokens, SQL Server users must have db_owner database role and Alter Any Application Role permissions on the database.
    If you change a token on a database that has Search 360 enabled, you will receive a notification when you click "Generate". You either need to update the Database Access Token in the Configure Database dialog of the iBase Service Configuration tool, or add the new token to the Search 360 Indexer command line arguments.
  4. Click Save to update the connection file. A summary of its actions is then displayed. A typical summary looks like this:
    Test connection succeeded.
Server Name
Server Login Name
Server Login Password
Integrated Security setting
Unicode setting
Security access token
Database access token

Completed.