Normally, when you start MemberTies, it starts the database server if it isn't already running. Thereafter, the server continues to run until it is manually stopped, or the computer is shut down. (The server is a tiny process -- it won't drag down your computer or anything like that).
A better way to run the server is as a Windows Service, which means when Windows starts up (whether you log in or not) the service starts and starts the database server. When Windows shuts down, the service gracefully stops the database server as well. It's clean and efficient and is the recommended way to run the server.
Note: This is especially helpful for multi-user systems, because when the server computer starts the database server starts automatically. There is no need to start MemberTies or use the Server Utility to start the server manually.
Creating the Service
Before continuing, be sure everyone is out of MemberTies!
1.Start the Server Utility as a Windows administrator (right-click the icon and choose "Run as Administrator). You will need elevated rights in order to create the Windows Service.
2.In the Local Server Settings section, the Windows Service Name will be blank.
Enter "MemberTiesServer", then click the Add icon, which will enable once you type in the field.
3.If you didn't start the server as an administrator, you will receive a prompt from windows to allow the process to continue.
4.After the install completes, the message log will be similar to the following:
5.The service is now installed and will start the next time Windows starts.
Note: If you want to use the Server Utility to start the server manually after the windows service has been created, you must start the utility as an administrator as described above. Otherwise, you will see an error saying the server must be started via the windows services tool.
6.If you are running the utility as an administrator, go ahead and click Start Server.
7.The log should show the service has been started.
Note: If you run into a situation where the service will not start the computer is restarted and a user logs in to a non-windows-admin account, you may need to change the service startup type from "Automatic" to "Automatic (Delayed Start)". You can do this by modifying the service properties in the Windows control panel.
Removing the Service
The service can be removed at any time if you want to rename it, or want to go back to manual control of the database server.
1.Start the Server Utility as an administrator (right-click the icon and choose Run as Administrator)
2.If the server is currently running, click Stop Server.
3.Click the Delete icon next to the Windows Service Name field. If windows is able to remove the service, the log output will look like this:
