NETWORK INSTALLATION
CONFIGURING LANtastic NETWORKS FOR R:BASE
This Technical Bulletin contains information regarding
configuring your LANtastic network so that R:BASE may be used in
a multi-user environment.
PRODUCT OVERVIEW:
R:BASE is a relational database management system with a forms
module, report writer, application generator and import/export
utility. R:BASE has fully integrated 100% ANSI Level 2 SQL
(Structured Query Language). R:BASE uses optimistic concurrency
control as well as implicit table locks, explicit table locks,
and row locks for managing multi-user access. LAN Pack versions
of R:BASE add five users to the network. LAN packs may be added
without limit to gain addition users.
REQUIREMENTS FOR R:BASE
R:BASE 4.5 local area network requirements specify a dedicated
file server. LANtastic allows the server to function as a
workstation (non-dedicated file server). Microrim doesn't
recommend this configuration when using R:BASE. If R:BASE starts
on the file server and connects to a database which is currently
connected by a workstation, serious database corruption may
occur.
A full R:BASE installation requires 9mb of free hard disk space.
The 386/486 version of R:BASE requires a PC with a minimum of 4mb
of RAM. At least 2.5mb of XMS or EMS and 200K of conventional
memory must be available to R:BASE to execute the 386/486 version
(32 bit) . The 386/486 version also requires a 386, or better
processor. The 286 version (16 bit) of R:BASE requires 485K of
available conventional memory. Both versions are included in the
R:BASE product.
INSTALLATION:
* NOTE: The following installation allows simultaneous operation
of 286 and 386 workstations. Please refer to the R:BASE 4.5
Startup Guide for additional information regarding multi-user
installation.
Create 3 separate directories on the server drive: C:\RBFILES,
C:\RB286, and C:\RB386. Install all the program files (both
versions) into the directory C:\RBFILES. Copy the RBASE.EXE file
into the RB386 and then copy the RBASE.286 file into the RB286
directory and rename the RBASE.286 file to RBASE.EXE. Change to
the RBFILES directory and rename the RBASE.EXE file to RBASE.386.
Each user must have an RBASE.CFG file stored on the workstation
or in a private directory on the network server. This file
contains environment settings and identifies each network user.
Make a separate directory on the file server for each
workstation. For example, WORKST1, WORKST2....WORKST#. Copy the
RBASE.CFG file into each of these directories and edit the file
with a text editor. Modify the first line to read "MULTI ON" and
modify the 2nd line of the file (the NAME option) so that each
RBASE.CFG file contains a unique user name. Example:
MULTI ON
NAME MIKE
Delete the RBASE.CFG from the C:\RBFILES directory.
To create a multi-user R:BASE installation, you must have a multi-
user SERVER.SY5 file (network access control file) on your
network server. The installation process created this file in
the C:\RBFILES directory. At this point, the install routine has
created a SERVER.SY5 file capable of handling one concurrent user
in a multi -user network installation. To install a five user
LAN Pack, perform the following steps:
1. Place the LAN Pack diskette into drive A:
2. Enter BUMP.EXE at the DOS prompt. BUMP will ask you for the
directory and path of the location of the SERVER.SY5 file. This
will increase your SERVER.SY5 by five users.
Make sure that LANtastic sharable resources have been set up with
correct ACL using NET_MGR.
On the workstations, log into the application server making sure
a drive has been redirected to the server ie., E:. Modify the
path so it includes the R:BASE directories in the following
order, RBASE.CFG file, RBASE.EXE file, SERVER.SY5 file and the
remaining R:BASE program files. Example: E:\WORKST#; E:\RB386;
E:\RBFILES. Make sure the CONFIG.SYS file contains the following
parameters: FILES=20, BUFFERS=30.
CONFIGURATION:
We recommend that the LANtastic ALONE.EXE be installed and
running on the file server during R:BASE operations. The
following parameters should be use with the SHARE command:
SHARE /L:1000 /F:6144.
OPERATION:
As mentioned above, R:BASE should not be run on the application
file server. Start the workstation and logon to the server as
necessary, then start R:BASE.
MULTI-USER ACCESS:
R:BASE fully supports simultaneous user access and updates to
configuration and data files. R:BASE performs concurrency
control, locking, and resource waiting automatically to prevent
two users from modifying the same data at the same time.
Concurrency control is how R:BASE controls multiple access to
tables when users are using forms or the EDIT command.
Concurrency control, row locks, table locks, and database locks
affect only operations in which users are storing data or
altering data already stored on the disk.
During a multi-user session, R:BASE controls waiting periods for
commands that can be locked out of a resource. R:BASE checks to
see if the resource is available. If it is, the user can
proceed. If not, R:BASE asks the users whether to terminate the
request or continue waiting. While the user waits, R:BASE
displays a message indicating the approximate percentage of wait
time remaining.
R:BASE uses interrupt 21 BIOS level locking on the record level
which is why a fully NET BIOS compatible network is required.
PRINTING:
R:BASE can print to either a local or a redirected printer.
There are two methods of printer selection available. When a
report is selected for printing, R:BASE produces a print menu
with options for sorting, quick select, where clause and print
to. Select the Print to option, this will send output to LPT1.
If you want to print to a different printer port, Choose 'Create
text file' instead of the 'Print to' option. When you are
prompted for a filename, enter the port name to receive output
i.e., LPT2, COM3, etc.
The second print method is achieved from the R> prompt. Use the
following steps to print a report or direct output to a specific
port:
OUTPUT PRINTER
PRINT Reportname where clause....
OUTPUT SCREEN
The OUTPUT PRINTER command may be modified as follows: OUTPUT
LPT1, OUTPUT LPT2, OUTPUT COM1, OUTPUT Filename, OUTPUT (Any
specified port).
The LANtastic print spooler correctly handles print requests from
R:BASE. Printing may be halted using the NET QUEUE HALT command.
NET QUEUE START will properly restart the spooler.
SECURITY:
R:BASE allows for owner and user passwords. Once an owner
password has been assigned, the owner may grant various
privileges to users on a table by table basis. The owner may
grant the following privileges: DELETE, SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE,
REFERENCES. These privileges may be granted to all network
users, or a selected user list. The privileges restrict access
to the database, not to the network or the files.
NETWORK DISCONNECTS:
If a workstation running an R:BASE query is disconnected from the
network for a short period of time, (less than 10 seconds), the
machine will beep, but no error messages are given. Normal
processing continues if the machine is reconnected. If the
workstation is disconnected for longer than 10 seconds, the
workstation hangs and will have to be rebooted. This may
seriously damage the database to which the workstation was
connected. Any such abnormal or improper exit from R:BASE while
connected to a database may cause serious database damage. If
such an exit should occur, run the AUTOCHK.EXE utility and
examine the database integrity.
SUMMARY:
This document has been designed to help with the installation and
setup of R:BASE 4.5 in a LANtastic network environment. If a
problem arises which cannot be resolved through this bulletin,
please contact Microrim Technical Support or ARTISOFT Technical
Support.
Microrim, Inc. makes no warranties as to the completeness or
accuracy of this document. LANtastic is a trademark of ARTISOFT,
Inc. Brand names and product names are trademarks of their
respective companies.