Installing Repository Server

 

Installing Microsoft SQL Server Express

The only prerequisite for QWFIX Repository Server is Microsoft SQL Server Express. It must be pre-installed on the system. SQL Server Express is a free product from Microsoft, which can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/download/.

The reasons we chose SQL Server Express are:

  1. We only need a database engine as a persistent data store for repository entries. The queries are all simple and performance will never be an issue no matter how many concurrent users the repository server is going to serve.
  2. We want the installation process as simple as possible.
  3. According reason #1, any database is suitable for our application. We chose SQL Server Express 2008 because we need to choose one.

SQL Express is not without bugs and problems. No wonder Microsoft is giving it out for free. We managed to solve all problems associated with the Microsoft SQL Server Express and offer the easiest installation experience to end users. Please take 5 minutes the carefully read the paragraphs below!

The latest Microsoft SQL Server Express 2008 is required. SQL Server Express 2005 should upgrade. 2008 is backward compatible with 2005 but 2005 is not forward compatible.

Note: Make sure the SQL Server Express is installed with "Network Services" or "System" account previledges. If it is installed with "User Account" previledges the following error will occur in the system event log: "Failed to generate a user instance of SQL Server due to a failure in starting the process for the user instance. The connection will be closed."

SQL Server Express Instance

Multiple SQL Server 2008 Express installations can coexist on the same machine along with other installations of SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2008, or Microsoft Desktop Engine (MSDE). In general, it is best that SQL Server 2000 instances be upgraded to SP3a or higher. The maximum limit to the number of SQL instances is 50 on the same machine. These instances must be uniquely named for the purpose of identifying them.

SQL Server Express by default installs as a named instance called SQLEXPRESS. QWFIX Repsitory Server requires the default named instance SQLEXPRESS is installed.

 

Installing QWFIX Repository Server

Download the installer from the web site.

Administrator privilege is required to install the QWFIX Repository Server.

You need to mount the default repository for the first time of the installation. The super user ID for default repository is "Administrator"; there is no password (empty string).

Note: There are two installers, 32 bit and 64 bit, for different platform. Please make sure you choose the installer for right platform. 32 bit installer will be rejected on 64 bit platform.

If this is the first time the repository server is installed, peoper configuration needs to be performed. Read the next chapter to learn how to configure the repository server.