Home Forums Where to install AC?

I am setting up a make shift server at my business to replicate a physicians office installation.I am using the free trial SBS 2008 and AC 5.0.29.I currently have this up and running. I used the suggestions from AC tech support. So I have the main AC running on my server and the data forwarding versions of(non-main) on my clients.But reading through some of the posts on this forum I saw that AC should not be installed on the server. Is this true? If it is true how do I set this up?

You are correct in putting the AC databases on your server.

But did I need to to install the entire AC Software on the server?

There are 2 options when installing AC. To install AC on the server, which will be the "main computer" in AC parlance (hosting the SQL Express database), choose the "this will be the main computer" checkbox. For all the other client computers, choose "this isn't the main computer and does not need SQL Express installed".

There is some importance to this. Any computer that has the "full" install of AC & SQL Express can be chosen (accidentally) by one of the clients as the database computer. And you DON'T want two different sets of databases running on your network.

I understand this entirely, but what if I just use the database included with SBS 2008, and only use this database from clients that have AC installed on them. Is this possible and how is it done?

While you could use the SQL from SBS, it is probably more complicated to do that and you would increase the likelihood of having problems.

Apparently there are no real advantages, search for some of Bert's comments about using full SQL that have been posted over the last month.

Personally, I would just go with SQL Server Express if you are only dealing with 10 to 15 computers. I will defer to your experience, but in my trials, you can't simply make an instance on a different type of SQL.

The only way I have had success is to install to the native SQL Express and then UPGRADE.

Basic setup.

You install AC on the server with SQL.

You install AC on all clients without SQL.

Theses then browse to the database, the .xml file will connect it.

Me, I don't like the APP on the server, so I install AC to the system drive, move the databases to the data drive, then delete AC. But, I wouldn't recommend that to those who don't feel comfortable. I just can't deal with data not being on a data drive, and I cringe with a program being on a data drive.

But, if you go with the top three statements, you can't go wrong.

JUST DON'T INSTALL SQL ON THE CLIENTS.

Now you have me curious.

How do you move the databases? I thought they had to be on the same drive as the program.

Amazing Utilities | Advanced | Detach and move databases

Do a good backup first, if not two.

One of the in-between steps before you get to fully load balanced clusters is cross-mounting database partitions. It allows the application to continue to run while you have a maintenance window with the other partition. The fancy installs with the enterprise sleds even automate the whole process so the users don't see a hiccup. Course that setup will set you back a pretty penny.

Indy, you're going to have to dumb it down a little even for the self-proclaimed computer geeks like myself. I would just explain a little better the part between:

"One of the in-between steps....set you back a pretty penny."

He lost me at "clusters"

I think that is a candy.

Until now, I thought English was the official language of the forum.

Heh. I understood perfectly what Indy said. Of course, I have a SQL Server cluster IN MY HOUSE. Or rather, I did but now I'm experimenting with something else.

The only thing the rest of you mere mortals need concern yourselves with is the "pretty penny" part. Even using SQL Server, a clustered environment will cost you enough to make the lease on your building, the mortgage on your home, and the payments on all your vehicles (including spouse's) seem like that jingling sound you here when shaking your four year old's piggy bank.

JamesNT

I think they have exterminators for that.

Mere mortals?

I know, I know. I just couldn't resist.

JamesNT

I love it when you guys talk techie.

Actually, I was playing around and did a full AC install. It did not ask where I wanted to install UNTIL I came to the main AC program. Instead, I installed it in the F: drive (had to create a Amazing Charts folder) and it worked well. Thus, the program and data are on the data not server drive, although SQL, Cassini and Bonjour did get dumped there.

I love dropping in here between things - I haven't laughed that hard in a while.

I don't know the current numbers are in the MS market, but a setup like what I referenced above - "the candy stuff", typically fills up a couple of 6 foot racks and costs multiple millions to turn live. I know of a few Oracle [and earlier, Sun] reps who bought mansions after closing deals like that.

Of course, after the slick young guns make the fast money and disappear over the horizon, they eventually call the grizzled grey-hairs for 3-6 month grinds to make their expensive toys work. You can guess which group I was in.

Definitely better to have both the program and the databases on a data drive or partition and not on the system drive. I just hate not having the application install to the system drive. Just force of habit.

I will just wait about five years and Moore's law will let me buy above setup in my price range.

Beware: Moore's law is counter-intuitive. Remember One Laptop Per Child.

JamesNT

Isn't that One Laptop Per Village?

Indeed.

JamesNT

I think the MIT guys updated it several years ago to 1 server per village. Together with satellite internet, I suspect they're taking care of a lot of our prescription preauthorization calls now.

This is all passe; laptops are on their way out. 14 million iPads were sold between their launch in April, 2010, and last month. At that rate of growth, it will be "one human, one iPad" by 2015.

What are the odds that a Jon post is not followed by a John post or vice versa? LOL.

What are the odds that ANY post is not followed by a Bert post?

X/2 - (Jon x John)

Actually, everyone on the entire Board are "sock puppets" for either me or Jon. We are merely toying with Bert.

What is a sock puppet. And, Jon (JBS) is the toy master. If you guys only knew how much I brag about you at the AC Advisory Committee.

From Wikipedia: A sockpuppet is an online identity used for purposes of deception within an online community.

You mean like Indy?

Indy is actually the online identity of IBM's Watson computer.

John you only have one UBB Buddy.

Bert, don't you think UBB Buddy is kind of like "ATM machine" (as in, "redundant")? ......

trying to distract you from focusing on this sock puppet thing

Which would explain why Indy came to mind as I watched that computer racking up the points on that mere mortal Ken Jennings.

Jon, Bert, and John,

Let me get this straight - I'm either a sock-puppet or a rack of computers? Wow; not sure whether I should be insulted, or geek-honored.

I have worked on putting together some massive systems, but never been accuse of actually 'being' the system.

You guys crack me up. Srsly.