ODBC Deployment

These instruction detail methods to distribute the Minisoft ODBC driver to multiple workstations after completing your development. You should review the items listed here and choose the distribution scheme that best suites your environment. If more assistance is required, please contact Minisoft's Technical Support staff.

On a web server

Install the ODBC/32 client on the server(s). Use disc 1 or odbc###c.exe.

If you are using DSNs to access the ODBC driver, create a System DSN.  Web servers usually operate without a current user. The DSN must be available to system level processes. Do not use question marks (?) in the fields of the DSN. User interaction is not possible from the browser to complete the connection request. Use care in protecting the server as passwords are stored (encoded) in the system registry.

If you have included the information needed for the ODBC driver to connect to your database as either File DSN or SQLDriverConnect data, you should be able use the driver with no further steps.

Applications

Install the ODBC client on each system where the application will be run. Use disc one or odbc###c.exe.

If you are using DSNs to access the ODBC driver, create a User or System DSN. You can use question marks (?) in the fields of the DSN.  User interaction would be required to complete the connection and no passwords would need to be stored in the system registry.

If you have included the information needed for the ODBC driver to connect to your database as either File DSN or SQLDriverConnect data, you should be able use the driver with no further steps.

Reporting Tools

Install the ODBC client on each system where the reporting tool will be used. Use disc one or odbc###c.exe.

If you using MSOffice'97, you will need to create a File DSN. Most other products can use any type of DSN including User and System. 

Installation Notes

Be certain to use the same version of the driver for all clients. The MSJOB background process has the capability to operate multiple versions of each driver to aid in managing future driver upgrades.

You can create a custom client install that also adds your system specific DSN(s) to each client. This sample shows how to add MSCARD using Delphi.