Setting up client server connections

When you first install SambaPOS it will work on a TXT file database. TXT file database designed for demonstration purposes and not suitable for daily usage. TXT file will not handle long time usage and some features will not be accessible. You should use a SQL based database. 

To be able to understand which database type is actively configured take a look at the version number located at the left bottom side of the login window. If the version number ends with TX active database type is TXT, SQ if SQL and CE if Compact SQL.

If you'll run SambaPOS on a single computer:

You can prefer Compact SQL. Setting up Compact SQL is easy and it will work fine on a single user environment. If you are planing using handheld devices prefer SQL Server Express instead. Follow these steps to configure SambaPOS for Compact SQL database.

• Download Compact SQL Setup and setup on your computer: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/tr-tr/details.aspx?FamilyID=033cfb76-5382-44fb-bc7e-b3c8174832e2 
• Start SambaPOS and open Management > Settings > Local Settings screen.
• Click "Data Connection String" box and enter data source=c:\sambadata.sdf.
• Restart SambaPOS

SambaPOS will create c:\sambadata.sdf file automatically. You can change filename or file path but the file extension should be ".sdf"

If you'll run SambaPOS on a network:

In this case Free SQL Server Express will work fine. 

• Visit http://www.microsoft.com/express/Database/InstallOptions.aspx and download 64 bit or 32 bit software for your computer. In most cases "Database Only" choice is fine. 
• After completing setup open Management > Settings > Local Settings screen.
• Enter data source=localhost\SQLEXPRESS to "Data Connection String" box.
• Restart SambaPOS

On client computers you should enter Data Connection String as data source=[server computer name]\SQLEXPRESS. If you changed default instance name of SQL Server, change SQLEXPRESS part with that instance name.

If you created UserName and Password you should enter connection string as:

data source=[Server Computer Name]\[SQL Express Instance Name]; user id=[User Name]; password=[Password]

Change values in brackets as you configured SQL Express. Default SQL Express instance name is SQLEXPRESS.

If you configured SQL Express as default instance you should only use server name instead of servername\SQLEXPRESS