Initialize an MS SQL Server database from a template

Initialize an empty MS SQL Server database to create a database that can be simultaneously accessed by multiple users.

Before you begin

  • Make sure you are using Microsoft SQL Server version 2012 or higher.

  • Make sure you created an empty database that can be initialized by PLA 3.0.

  • A Microsoft SQL Server user or domain user with db_owner permission has to be available.

Note: To use the database after it has been initialized, PLA 3.0 user accounts only require the db_datareader and db_datawriter permissions.

Procedure

To initialize an MS SQL Server database:
  1. In the Login dialog, select Tools > Database management.
  2. In the Manage database connection profiles dialog, select Add....
  3. In the Database connection management wizard, select the Standard mode option and select Next >.
  4. Select the Connect to existing database option.
  5. From the Type drop-down list, select Microsoft SQL Server and select Next >.
  6. On the Properties tab, enter the database connection parameters.
    Figure 1. Database connection parameters for an MS SQL Server database
    1. From the Server name drop-down list, select the server that holds the empty database.
      If the server you require is not displayed, you can manually enter the name or IP address of the server.
    2. In the Port text box, enter the port of your database server. By default, the port is set to 1433.
    3. From the Authentication drop-down list, select the authentication method you want to use. In this example, we use SQL-Server.
    4. For SQL-Server authentication, in the User name and Password text boxes, enter the credential of the MS SQL account with db_owner permissions.
    5. From the Database name drop-down list, select the empty database you want to initialize.
  7. If required, use the Advanced tab to define key-value pairs for advanced database connection properties.
    Tip: Use these properties to set parameters related to Always On Failover Cluster Instances, for example, MultiSubnetFailover or ApplicationIntent.
  8. Select Next >.
  9. Configure the encryption mode you want to use for the server connection. By default, encryption is managed by the server you connect to. You can change this setting such that encryption is enforced by PLA 3.0.
    1. Select the Force encryption radio button.
    2. Select Trust Certificate.
    Important: With this setting, you manually need to remove expired certificates and accept them again as trustworthy.
  10. Select Next >.
  11. Verify the connection details and select Finish.
    Result: The database connection profile has been created.
To select the database template:
  1. The database needs to be initialized. Select Repair to start the initialization.
  2. Select the Custom template option and select […], navigate to the database template you want to use (the file type is .s3db), select it, and then select Open.
    Figure 2. Templates in Database connection management
  3. Select Finish.

Result

The following data is copied from the database template to the new database:

  • User roles, permissions, user groups and security contexts

  • Database policies

  • Documents and folders

  • Folder properties

Important: User accounts will not be copied to the new database.