Introduction to Server

Transcription

1 Introduction Introduction to Server Big Business Server is the multi-user version of Big Business, the integrated business management tool from bigbusiness.com. Big Business Server is based on a client/ server architecture that supports multiple simultaneous users all your employees can access current information from the server. Client / server architecture divides data processing between the client and the server. The division of labor between these two parts is transparent to users. The client part is located on the user computers. Its responsibility is to display the Big Business interface and to query the server in response to user actions. The server part is located on a designated server computer. Its responsibility is to store and manage data and provide services to the client computers across a network. To search for a set of customers, for example, users ask the client to locate certain customer cards. The client sends the request to the server, which executes the search on the server machine and returns the resulting customer cards to the client. The benefits of client/ server architecture are increased efficiency and speed. Work is divided between the clients and the server and is intelligently managed to reduce the amount of network passes. The less network traffic, the faster the entire system works. Because all data is stored on the server, each client has immediate access to up-to-the-minute data. The Complete Management System Introduction

2 Introduction Getting Started Getting started with Big Business Server is easy. Installation takes just a few minutes. You use simple dialog boxes to set up the program with your company data. If you choose, Big Business Server can automatically set up almost everything. You can also import data from other programs. This manual is an addendum to the Big Business User s Guide. It leads you through installing Big Business Server on both the client and server machines. It also discusses the exclusive features of Big Business Server that are not mentioned in the Big Business User s Guide. This chapter explains how to install and set up the software. After you finish this chapter, you ll be ready to start working with Big Business. Double-click the installer and follow the onscreen instructions Introduction

3 Introduction Before You Start Before you start, take a minute to verify that you have what you need to use Big Business Server. For the server computer, you need: Any Mac running OS X 10.3 or higher (10.4 or higher recommended) Minimum 512 megabytes RAM (1GB or more recommended) For each client computer, you need: Any Mac running OS X, 10.3 or higher Any Windows computer with Windows 2000 or better (2000, 2003, XP, Vista) Minimum 256 megabytes RAM (512MB or more recommended) For the network, you need: An Internet Protocol network (10/100/1000 BASE-T Ethernet recommended) To use Big Business, you should be familiar with the basics of using the operating system(s) running your computers. If you are unsure about any of the techniques mentioned here, consult the documentation that came with your computer. A dedicated server is recommended to ensure the integrity of your data. Running other applications or services on your server may compromise the performance of Big Business Server and should be evaluated carefully. Choose About This Mac from the Apple Menu, then click More Info Introduction

4 Installation Installing Server for Mac OS X The Install program places Big Business Server on the server hard disk you specify in the Applications folder. To install Big Business Server on your server computer: 1. Insert the Big Business CD or download the latest Server from 2. Double-click the Big Business Server Installer. 3. Read the README then click the Continue button. 4. Select a destination disk to install the software. 5. Wait while the software installs, then Quit the installer. The Applications folder where BB Server is installed will open automatically. Open the BB Server folder and drag the BB Server Engine to the Dock for easy launching. Important: If the BB Server folder already exists, duplicate files will NOT be replaced. To install a fresh copy of Big Business Server, rename or remove the old folder to the Trash after checking that there are no files to be saved from the Data folder. Read the README for a complete list of improvements Installation

5 Installation Installing Client for Mac OS 9 Big Business 6 does not support Clients on Mac OS 9. This page has been retained for clarification. Big Business 5 was the last version to support Mac OS Installation

6 Installation Installing Client for Mac OS X The Install program places Big Business Client on the hard disk you specify in the Applications folder. To install Big Business Client for Mac OS X: 1. Insert the Big Business CD or download the Client from 2. Double-click the Big Business Client Installer. 3. Read the README then click the Continue button. 4. Select a destination disk to install the software. 5. Wait while the software installs, then Quit the installer. The Applications folder where BB Client is installed will open automatically. Open the BB Client folder and drag the BB Client to the Dock for easy launching. Important: You should install the same version of Client and Server. Install from the same CD, or if downloading, download matching Client(s) and Server. Read the README for a complete list of improvements Installation

7 Installation Installing Client for Windows The Install program places Big Business Client in Program Files or a location you specify. To install Big Business Client for Windows from CD: 1. Insert the Big Business CD 2. Click Explore to view CD contents. 3. Open the Client folder (e.g. Client60) 4. Double-click the Client Installer (e.g. bb600cl.exe). 5. Follow the onscreen instructions. If you have downloaded the Big Business Client for Windows installer (e.g. bb601cl.exe) from simply double-click the installer and follow the onscreen instructions. The installer automatically creates Shortcuts in the Start menu and on your Desktop. Important: If you are installing on a protected computer, you may need to sign on to the computer as an Administrator level user. Click Explore This CD to located the Client Installer Installation

8 Server Setup Building a Data File It is recommended that you Setup your Company data file using Big Business Single-User. The Installer for the Single-User Version of Big Business can be found on your Server CD. Refer to the following for information on building a new data file: Big Business User's Guide: Chapter 1 Appendix If you choose to perform the Setup from a Client, Big Business Server will allow only one user to perform the Setup operation for a new data file. Complete the Setup Checklist to build a new data file Server Setup

9 Server Setup Moving Data to the Server Your data file can be stored in any convenient location on your server computer. A Data folder is provided in the Big Business Server folder. Name your data file prior to moving it to avoid any confusion. There are several possible ways to move your data file; the easiest are: Enable File Sharing and copy the file over the network Use a removable drive, flash drive, etc. Burn the file onto a CD-R or DVD-R Important: If you enabled File Sharing on your server temporarily, remember to turn it off for security and improved performance. Place your Company data file in the Data folder or any convenient location Server Setup

10 Server Setup Launching Server To start Big Business Server, double-click Big Business Server, or click once if you have added it to your Dock. The first time you launch Big Business Server, the Open Data File dialogue will allow you to select a Data File. When you Quit and re-launch Big Business Server the same Data File will be automatically opened. Hold down the Option key while launching Big Business Server to show the Open Data File dialogue and select another Data File. Hold down the Option key while selecting Big Business Server to select a data file Server Setup

11 Server Setup Server Process Window At startup the Big Business Server automatically displays the Server Process Window. Closing the Server Process Window does not Quit Big Business Server. Choose Show Process Window or Hide Process Window from the Process menu to display or hide the window. The Server Process lists all activity starting with the Server itself, Kernel, followed by connected users. Users are listed by their network information: - Mac OS X Users' names come from their OS X Account's Short Name - Windows Users' names come from their Windows User name - All Users list the pervue of "Adminstrator" - All Users list their IP Address To view the full path to the Data File you may need to widen the window. Additional details provided on the Server Process Window can be largely ignored. See who is connected on the Server Process Window Server Setup

12 Server Setup Quitting Server You should quit Big Business Server to perform routine maintenance such as: Backing up your data file Running Big Business Tools When you quit Big Business Server, the dialogue below will be displayed. You may choose: to Wait for all users to disconnect to Disconnect all users in the default ten minutes to Disconnect all users immediately, by entering zero (0) minutes. Tell Server how soon to disconnect any remaining users Server Setup

13 Server Setup Launching Client To start Big Business Client, double-click Big Business Client, or click once if you have added it to the OS X Dock. The first time you launch Big Business Client, the Connect to Big Business Server dialog will appear and will display available Big Business Servers on its Local (TCP/IP) tab. Select your Server and click OK. The first time Big Business Client connects, there will be a delay while resource files are copied to the client computer. The next time you launch Big Business Client it will automatically connect to the same server unless you hold down the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) to display the Connect to Big Business Server dialog. Important: If the network settings on the server have changed, Big Business Client may report an error when attempting to automatically connect. Re-launch Big Business Client and hold down the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) to display the Connect to Big Business Server dialog. Look for the server in the list on the Local (TCP/IP) tab. If it does not appear there, the server may not be running or there may be some network problem. View all available servers on the TCP/IP tab Server Setup

14 Server Setup Turning Off Sleep We recommend setting the Energy Control Panel on any Mac used for Big Business to Never go to Sleep. If you update System software, Default settings may be restored. To set your Mac to Never go to Sleep: 1. Open the Energy Saver Control Panel. 2. Move the slider from its current setting (e.g. 30 min.) to Never. 3. Close the Energy Saver Control Panel. NOTES: You can set the Display separately Portables (MacBooks) have separate Battery and Power Supply settings Disable Sleep for all clients and server Server Setup

15 Server Setup Connecting to Remote Server To connect to a Big Business Server outside of your local network: 1. Launch Big Business Client while holding the Option key (on the Mac, or launch and immediately hold the Alt key on Windows) 2. On the Connection dialog, click the Remote (Custom) tab 3. Enter any name and the Server's IP address. 4. Click the OK button to connect. 5. Wait while resource files are copied from the server, which may be several minutes. If the connection fails: 6. Check TCP/IP settings. 7. Check with your network administrator that Port is open if a Firewall is in place. If performance is too slow: 8. Verify the connection speed on both ends. Most important are the downstream speed on the remote end (500Kb/s for low-cost ADSL/Cable), and the upstream speed on the Server end (384Kb/s for entry-level Business DSL). 9. Consider "remote control" using PCAnywhere, TimbuktuPro, VNC, Remote Desktop, etc.. Enter any name and the address of the remote server Server Setup

16 Server Setup Getting Help Free support for Big Business is always available from our web site at: a searchable online Solutions Database Technical Notes links to useful tools and updates for Big Business and third-party products a regional list of independent, qualified Big Business Consultants Big Business contact information Person-to-person support is available using the following contact information: support@bigbusiness.com Expect a reply within one or two business days. Please include a name and phone number and your company name or serial number. phone: (925) Our hours are 8am to 5pm Pacific Time, Monday through Friday. Expect that you will get a capable person on the phone immediately, or voic and a call back within a few business hours. Feature Requests are always welcome! features@bigbusiness.com Choose Online Help from the File menu in Big Business Server Setup

17 Server Features Server Features Big Business Server and Big Business are virtually the same product with identical features and interface. However, Big Business Server has sophisticated multi-user capabilities not found in Big Business. As a result, Big Business Server includes multi-user management features that are not discussed in the Big Business User s Guide. Those features are listed in this chapter. In a client/ server architecture, the server stores and manages a single data set that all users access and share. This ensures that users have immediate access to current data. The server also stores the Big Business structure and manages multiple users accessing the same structure objects, such as screens, lists, or notes, at the same time. Big Business provides an intelligent object-locking system that lets multiple users access and view the same structure objects simultaneously. To protect data integrity, Big Business allows only one user at a time to modify the object. For example, when you try to modify a customer card that is already in use, Big Business displays a read-only version of the customer card you can view and print the card, but you cannot change it until it has been closed by the other user Server Features

18 Server Features Server-Specific Features This chapter includes instructions on these and other topics: In-Use Objects Single-Instance Objects Single-User Objects System Maintenance Updating Lists Making Deposits Performing a Check Run Creating an Invoice After you have completed this chapter, you will be familiar with the basic differences of Big Business Server. Please refer to the Big Business User s Guide for in-depth program and feature instructions. Big Business Server alerts you when your access to data is limited by another User Server Features

19 Server Features In-Use Objects Big Business allows multiple Users to view the same object simultaneously, but only one User at a time can actually modify the object. For example, many users can view the Customer Card for A Shop For Gifts And Things at the same time, but only one user can actually edit the card. Once that User closes A Shop For Gifts And Things s Customer Card, another User can begin making modifications immediately. Objects displayed in this Read-Only Mode can be viewed and printed by any number of users at a time. User access to objects is managed on a first-come-first-served basis. Big Business does not display a dialog box when an object will be displayed in Read-Only mode. Instead the In Use indicator is displayed. The following is a list of the objects that Big Business displays in Read-Only Mode: Customer, Vendor, Item, Contact, Employee, Company Cards Quotes, Orders, Invoices Receive Money Purchase Orders Bills Make a Payment tool Bank, Category, Account Cards General Journal Transfers Access The In Use marker indicates that this Customer Card is currently being modified by another User Server Features

20 Server Features Single Instance Objects Big Business won t display certain objects in Read-Only Mode; only one instance of the object is allowed to be open on the network at one time. Big Business does this to protect data integrity and prevent event conflicts, such as printing duplicate Checks or duplicating Deposits. For instance, a User cannot perform a Check Run when another user has already started a Check Run. Once the first User has completed the Check Run, the other User may begin one. Big Business displays the following dialog box when only one instance of the object can be open at a time. The following is a list of the objects that can be open in only one instance at a time: Prefs (except MyDesk) Balance Adjustments Reconciliation Deposits Finance Charges 21-4 Server Features

21 Server Features Updating Lists Certain lists, such as customer titles, account types, and salutations, are stored on the local client machines to increase system performance. The server stores a master of all these lists. As a result, user lists might not always match the master, and users will have to update their lists occasionally. To update your list: Select the Update List item from a list Server Features

22 Server Features List Up To Date If your list is current, Big Business displays the following dialog box Server Features

23 Server Features System Maintenance You cannot perform maintenance on the system when other users are signed- in. If you launch the Maintenance Prefs tool when users are signed- in, Big Business displays the following dialog box. Before using maintenance tools in Big Business, you need to wait until all users have logged off the server Server Features

24 Server Features During Maintenance Conversely, users will not be able to log on to the system when the Maintenance Prefs tool is active. Big Business displays the following dialog box when a user tries to log on and another user is currently performing system maintenance Server Features

25 Server Features Payments Tools Big Business displays a dialog box when users try to use the Check Run and Schedule Payments tools in one of these three circumstances: A User has the Check Run tool open and another User tries to launch the Check Run or Schedule Payments tools. A User has the Schedule Payments tool open and another User tries to launch the Schedule Payments or Check Run tools. A User has either the Check Run or Schedule Payments tools open and the same User tries to launch the other tool Server Features

26 Server Features Performing a Check Run To ensure the accuracy of all Checks being printed, Big Business will not let a User perform a Check Run if one or more of the Bills in the Check Run has been modified or deleted by another User. In such a case, Big Business displays the following dialog box Server Features

27 Server Features Creating an Invoice When you open an existing sales order and another user tries to create an invoice for the open sales order, the other user will see the following dialog box Server Features

28 Server Features Making Deposits To ensure the accuracy of all deposits, Big Business will not let a user make a deposit if one or more of the items in the deposit is being modified by another user. In such a case, Big Business displays the following dialog box Server Features

29 Setup Mac Server Admin [22] Enabling TCP/IP on Mac OS X If your computers are networked, you have network access to the Internet, or you can receive to each client computer, you can likely run Big Business Server and Clients without making any network changes. You should try connecting Big Business Server and Clients before considering any changes. If you are using dial-up access for Internet or , using AppleTalk for printer and file sharing, or for any other reason need distinct TCP/IP settings for Big Business Server, here is one simple setup: 1. In the System Preferences, in Network, create a new Network Port and select the appropriate port (e.g. Ethernet, Airport). 2. In the TCP/IP settings for the new port set: - Configure to Manual - an IP address of x where x is between 2 and 254 and unique - a Subnet Mask of a Router of Apply Changes. 4. Repeat for each computer using a different address for each in Step 2. Mac OS X allows multiple concurrent network connections on multiple ports. So there is no problem using dial-up for Internet access and Ethernet for accessing Big Business Server. Open the Network System Preference... Mac Server Admin [22] 22-1 Setup

30 Troubleshooting Mac Server Admin [22] Client Fails to Connect Big Business Client attempts to automatically connect to the last server used unless you hold the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) to display the Connect to BB Server dialog. If Client is unable to connect it will display the error pictured, Error # , Database cannot be used, or Server not found. If Big Business Server is running, it is likely that its network address has changed. Re-launch Big Business Client while holding the Option key (Mac) or Alt key (Windows) to display the Connect to BB Server dialog. Look on the TCP/IP tab for the Server. If no Server appears, check that Big Business Server is running, that other Clients are able to connect, or that there is some other problem with the network. Server not found... Mac Server Admin [22] 22-2 Troubleshooting

31 Toubleshooting Mac Server Admin [22] Client Fails to Disconnect Big Business Server is set by default to wait indefinitely for a Client which is inactive. This provides the highest tolerance for changing network conditions, but it also means that a Client which does not Quit properly is still seen by the Server as connected. Here are the common causes: Client is going to sleep. If you are using portables, or any machine which Sleeps, it may disconnect itself in a way that doesn t register on the server. Screen savers do not count as Sleeping, just spinning down the drive. Client or network is switching connections. Depending upon the setup, dialing a modem or other network change may break the connection unexpectedly. Users that are connecting remotely are more susceptible to problems. To Disconnect a User from Server (without restarting Server): 1. Click on the User Name to select (highlight). 2. Choose Abort from the Process menu This will immediately terminate the user. Unsaved data may be lost. Select the User, then Abort from the Process menu. Mac Server Admin [22] 22-3 Toubleshooting

32 Automating Mac Server Admin [22] Using AppleScript to Quit Server To Quit Big Business Server for MacOS using an AppleScript, you need to specify the "delay" parameter. Insert the following into your AppleScript: tell application "BB Server Engine" quit with delay {x} -- -2: Display the quit dialog box, -- -1: Wait until all users are disconnected, -- 0: Wait the specified number of minutes before disconnecting. end tell Replace x with your preferred setting, as follows: - Using 0 (e.g. quit with delay {0}) will quit BB Server immediately, disconnecting any active users. Using 2 would quit in two minutes. - Using -1 will quit BB Server when the last user disconnects. - Using -2 will display the quit dialog box. Quti without delay... Mac Server Admin [22] 22-4 Automating

33 Maintenance Mac Server Admin [22] Running Big Business Tools Big Business Tools allows you to perform preventative maintenance to keep your Company file optimized. Using Tools, you can also repair damaged Company files. Read the BB Tools README before use. A User Name and Password are required to run BB Tools. The User Name for running Tools is, "Administrator" and the Password is blank. To Run Tools: 1. Launch BB Tools. 2. On the Open dialog, select the Program, Big Business Server 3. In the User Identification dialog, type the User Name, "Administrator" and leave the password blank and click Connect. 4. Go to the Maintain tab and click Compact. 5. Name the new data file being created (e.g. "MyCompany2") and Save it in your Data folder. 6. When Recovery is complete, Quit Tools. 7. Start Big Business Server and it will automatically open your newly Compacted Data File. User Name Administrator, Password blank... Mac Server Admin [22] 22-5 Maintenance