NexusDB Server - automated Setup

[a.pfau]

At the moment we don't really have an automated setup for our software in place. At new customers we copy a files of our software, empty/default database files and the nxserver software, install the services by hand and configure the db user and the db alias.

For smaller "Solutions" I want to automate the setup process, so that our customer can choose the install location and the setup procedure does the rest. Copying our files and installing our services is easy enough, but I'm at a complete loss regarding nxServer.
I think it doesnt' matter if I write a custom script, program a custom program or use something like inno Setup.
I find a lot of seemingly outdated information regarding a nxserver.init file.
I found https://www.nexusdb.com/support/inde...verfromthe.htm which looks newer and an example https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=example.htm but I can't see user stuff and the parameters are hard to map to those I know from the web UI. Is it possible to export this file from an existing configuration, so I have a good starting point?

Is there some better/more concise guide on how to automate the setup of nxServer?

On 22/09/2021 14:10, a.pfau wrote:
> At the moment we don't really have an automated setup for our software
> in place. At new customers we copy a files of our software,
> empty/default database files and the nxserver software, install the
> services by hand and configure the db user and the db alias.
>
> For smaller "Solutions" I want to automate the setup process, so that
> our customer can choose the install location and the setup procedure
> does the rest. Copying our files and installing our services is easy
> enough, but I'm at a complete loss regarding nxServer.
> I think it doesnt' matter if I write a custom script, program a custom
> program or use something like inno Setup.
> I find a lot of seemingly outdated information regarding a nxserver.init
> file.
> I found https://tinyurl.com/ygr9y63k which looks newer and an example
> https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=example.htm but I can't see
> user stuff and the parameters are hard to map to those I know from the
> web UI. Is it possible to export this file from an existing
> configuration, so I have a good starting point?
>
> Is there some better/more concise guide on how to automate the setup of
> nxServer?
>
>

If you do a search of these forums for Inno, I'm sure I uploaded my
Server install script some time ago.

David

[a.pfau]

Originally Posted by David Rose

If you do a search of these forums for Inno, I'm sure I uploaded my
Server install script some time ago.

I think I found it.
https://nexusdb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21123

But it goes a bit over my head. (Initially) Installing the service should be easy, it looks like the script takes care of upgrades if the service already exists, etc. I can take care of that later.
Trouble is I still don't understand how to configure the necessary Server settings (users, alias, server engine settings). I found https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=node/26893
It's still a bit confusing when to use the nxserver.init file and when to use the nxServer.nxdbworksettings file.
Am I right that I can create a nxserver.init file from the example https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=example.htm store it in the executable directory and then istall the nxserver via

nxserver.exe /SILENT /INSTALL /LOCALSYSTEMACCOUNT /ALLOWSYSTEM /RESET /START

and have the service install with the provided settings and have the service start? I have to setup a new VM and try this out.

[a.pfau]

Originally Posted by a.pfau

Am I right that I can create a nxserver.init file from the example https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=example.htm store it in the executable directory and then istall the nxserver via

nxserver.exe /SILENT /INSTALL /LOCALSYSTEMACCOUNT /ALLOWSYSTEM /RESET /START

and have the service install with the provided settings and have the service start?.

This seemed to work - sort of.
I'm not 100% sure what happened, this command installed the service, configured it and replaced the nxserver.init with a new file, better formatted and - at least it looks like - with more settings.

I can add an alias this way, but I'm still not sure how to configure Users and Server Engine Settings. I want to activate ForceFailSafe,CloseAllWhenInactive and when I find out how to create users IsSecure.

Is there a way to configure the server via the config website and then export a nxServer.init from there?

> Is there a way to configure the server via the config website and then
> export a nxServer.init from there?

No, but if you have a look at the nxServerForm unit in the \Server
folder, there is a "Save Settings to..." menu item under the main
Settings menu that can be set to Visible. Then, run nxServer from the
IDE and use the menu item to save settings to a text file on disk.

--

Eivind [NX]

[a.pfau]

Originally Posted by Eivind Bakkestuen

>
No, but if you have a look at the nxServerForm unit in the \Server
folder, there is a "Save Settings to..." menu item under the main
Settings menu that can be set to Visible.

Thanks, after I commented out "$DEFINE FancyServer" I could compile it.

After some try and error and diffing the resulting files I think all relevant settings are there and I understand how they are structured.
Except for the users. I need to add a user for my application and there is no example in https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=example.htm and without it in the "saved settings" it's impossible for me to know how...

> After some try and error and diffing the resulting files I think all
> relevant settings are there and I understand how they are structured.
> Except for the users. I need to add a user for my application and
> there is no example in
> https://www.nexusdb.com/support/index.php?q=example.htm and without
> it in the "saved settings" it's impossible for me to know how...

Have a look at the \Examples\Delphi\SecurityMonitor example; there's an
API for user management now.

--

Eivind [NX]

[a.pfau]

Originally Posted by Eivind Bakkestuen

Have a look at the \Examples\Delphi\SecurityMonitor example; there's an
API for user management now.

Thank you, that works.
I wrote a small program "SetupHelper.exe" that I call during the installation, after I installed the service.

[Run]
Filename: "{app}\nxserver\nxserver.exe"; Parameters: "/SILENT /INSTALL /LOCALSYSTEMACCOUNT /ALLOWSYSTEM /RESET /START";StatusMsg: "Installiere DB" 
Filename: "{app}\SetupHelper.exe";StatusMsg: "DB einrichten"