Arsenal is the name of the dbisam server engine installed with every version of Point of Success. The database manages the data on the server in a network environment to ensure data integrity and protection. The database software runs on one computer, usually designated as the 'server' and maintains the data contained on that computer. Data is only stored and accessed from one machine in a network. If there are multiple data sets on multiple server machines, the database software in connection with the Point of Success software will attempt to determine which data set is the correct data and connect to it. This may require user interaction to determine the proper connection contained on the proper computer or server.
When more than one server is found on a network, Point of Success Office Manager or Point of Success Order Entry will identify each server found. At this point it is up to the user to identify which server is the proper server containing the data to which these programs should connect.
There are two settings that are useful to configure for the database. This is technical but its benefits are excellent should one need these functions.
MaxBackupFiles |
This setting controls how many backup files (dbz) are kept in the Backup folder. The default is 50. Example: [Server Parameters] MaxBackupFiles=30 |
BackupFolderCloud |
Secondary Backup folder for use with Dropbox, etc. Example: [Server Parameters] BackupFolderCloud=c:\Dropbox |
Steps to use these settings:
1. On the desktop, right-click and choose 'New' to create a new file. Rename the file dbserver.ini. This will be the file you create and edit to put in the settings you desire. Note: when you change the extension from ".txt" to ".ini" it will give you the following warning:
2. Click "Yes" to accept the change to dbserver.ini. Note the icon will change. The file should look like this:
2. Edit the file you created. Use Notepad or another text editor to edit the file. Right-click on the file and choose to Open the file.
3. The first line should say [Server Parameters] including the square brackets. An example follows.
4. Once one or both of the parameters are defined, click File, Save to save the changes to this file.
5. Put the file in place - in the C:\Program Files (x86)\ADBServer folder.
There are other files in this location as well. You may get a warning that says:
Click "Continue" to copy the file in the ADBServer folder.
6. IMPORTANT: Restart the Arsenal Database Server. To do this, click start and type "Services" and run the Services app. You will see this window:
Simply click "Restart" and the Arsenal Database Server will stop and restart - using the new dbserver.ini configuration file you copied in in step 5. Rebooting the computer will also restart the Arsenal Database Server.
This configuration file will set either or both of these settings for the database server. Both are explained below.
MaxBackupFiles
By default, Arsenal Database Server retains 50 backup files. However, if hard drive space is at a premium or fewer files are required, setting this number allows a different number of files to be retained. Use this configuration to set the number of files to be retained.
BackupFolderCloud
By default, the Arsenal Database Server stores the backup files in a folder under the Point of Success folder called "Backup". That location is not backed up anywhere else. So if the hard disc crashes or it is stolen, there is no external copy to resort to. Adding a BackupFolderCloud creates an additional copy of the backup in a location that can be transferred to off-site storage. For example, setting the BackupFolderCloud location in the configuration file to d:\dropbox\POSbackup would copy the backup file so that it can be uploaded automatically by Dropbox. OneDrive, Box, iDrive, and other services have the same functionality. These services have a location on the local hard drive that uploads everything contained in that folder to a secure location. This is a smart way to safeguard data and provide a disaster recovery solution.