Database Settings
PA Server Monitor needs a place to store the data that it collects during operation. There are two choices available for data storage.
- Proprietary By default, PA Server Monitor stores all of its data in a compact, reliable proprietary file format. This is the choice that you make by selecting the radio button titled "Store collected data in databases in the directory above." This is the simplest choice available and is the one that most users make when using PA Server Monitor.
- Microsoft SQL Server The alternative choice is made with the other radio button whose label indicates Microsoft SQL Server.
You would use the choice for Microsoft SQL Server if you have a need to read and use the data that is collected by PA Server Monitor.
More about Microsoft SQL Server and PA Server Monitor
To use SQL Server for storage, you must first install the SQL Server Native Client library, which is Microsoft's latest database connection technology. This choice was presented to you at program installation.
If you did not install the Native Client Library at program installation time, then you may do so simply
by launching the installation file named sqlncli.msi, which will be located in the
home directory of PA Server Monitor (normally C:\Program Files\PA Server Monitor.)
The following items of configuration data must be considered if you wish to use SQL Server:
- Server name - name of server on which SQL Server instance is located.
- Database name - the name of a SQL Server database which will be used for PA Server Monitor storage. The database must exist prior to use.
- User name and password - as required by the SQL Server instance.
- Connection String - the connection string is automatically created by PA Server Monitor when you enter the data items specific to SQL Server. You may then hand edit the created connection string if you wish.
If you do not need or wish to use SQL Server as the database for PA Server Monitor, the SQL Server Native Client Library does not need to be installed.