Servers and networks

Questions:

What network speed do you recommend? Will MP-5 run across a WideArea Network (WAN)?

MP-5 runs fine on a standard broadband/WAN connection provided it is not shared by many users. A dedicated 500kbps connection is usually sufficient.

Note: We recommend the use of the Auto importer for importing large files over a Broadband/WAN.

These networks often have high latency (the signal takes 10-20 times as long to go back and forth), which is not normally noticeable. However, importing large files with thousands of readings remotely with high latency can be slow. For this we recommend the auto importer because the file is copied to the server for import (one transfer, no latency problem).

What network software can I run MP-5 under?

MP-5 will run under any Microsoft compatible network

What database servers will MP-5 run on? Is there an Oracleversion of MP-5?

MP-5 uses MSDE/SQL Server 2000, or SQL Express/2005. We are soon testing on SQL Server 2008, but it is not yet supported.

MP-5 does not work with Oracle.

We're migrating from SQL Server 2000 to 2005, are there anyspecial instructions?

No special instructions. Backup/restore is fine, as is detach & attach. You will need to reassign logins to the new server. We have a script that helps with this, please contact us for a copy.

Database upgrade notes

Notes for SQL Server database administrators:

CAUTION: ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR DATA BEFORE PERFORMING A DATABASE UPDATE!

Follow the install instructions closely. This process should not affect the data in your database; however, EHS Data recommends you backup your data before proceeding to avoid any possibility of loss of data.!

Once you have updated the database, you will NOT be able to revert to an older version other than restoring from your backup.

1. Check your database version is not older than 5.2 (released in 2006). The version is displayed in MP-5 on the login screen, also under Help...About menu option, or in the database, a table called 'tblKeyInfo'. If your database is older than version 5.2 please contact support@ehsdata.com

2. Download the database upgrade script and place on the SQL Server.

3. Double click to open in SQL Server

4. Select the database to be upgraded from the drop down list (will normally begin with MP5_)

5. Run the script (red exclamation mark button on toolbar in SQL Server 2005).

Notes:

The script for this version is a major upgrade and contains a number of new performance indexes. The script can easily take an hour or more to run on very large databases, and so should ideally be run when the database is not being used.

MP-5 client versions pre 5.5 are not compatible with this release and all client PC's must be upgraded.

In SQL Server a number of warnings will be displayed after the script has run. These are normal and expected. You should not get any red errors. Please report any red errors as soon as possible to us.

Is MP-5 compatable with SQL Server 2008?

We cannot guarantee compatability yet. Full testing is due to start soon.

We have moved servers. How do I connect to the newone?

On the MP-5 login screen, click the [...] button. This will take you to the connection management form. Select the 'Create New Connection' tab.

Fill in the server and database name and click 'Connect'.

If MP-5 cannot connect to a server you are automatically taken to this form.

If you log in using Windows Authentication (and so don't see the login screen) then from the 'File' menu select 'Manage connections'.