Deploying SQL Express Database Files With ClickOnce App Using OLE
Jan 18, 2008
I've written a ClickOnce app that deploys a Sql Server Express data file (.mdf) and log file (.ldf) along with the other application files. SQL Express SP2 is a prerequisite for this app. After the applicaiton installs and starts up it copies these files to a specific folder and attaches them by calling the AttachDatabase() method of a Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Server object.
This method works fine using Windows XP, however when I run it on Windows Vista I get the following exception:
Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.FailedOperationException: Attach database failed for Server 'localhostSQLEXPRESS'. ---> Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ExecutionFailureException: An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. ---> System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Unable to open the physical file "C:WashMasterDatabasewasshmaster.mdf". Operating system error 5: "5(Access is denied.)".
This exception occurs when I try to programmatically attach the database.
I've searched through the MSDN forums for a solution and I've only found two suggestions:
1.) Create all database connections using a User Instance.
2.) Create the database (using SQL) in the target folder, rather than copying it over from the deployment folder.
I don't like the idea of using User Instances because my entire data access layer is currently written using Ole and I would rather not rewrite it if I don't have to. I cannot find any way to use User Instances with Ole.
I also don't like the idea of creating the database using SQL because it is fairly large.
Here are my questions:
1.) Can User Instances be used with Ole?
2.) Can I somehow programmatically set the permissions of the copied data and log files so that SQL Express can access them without error?
3.) Is there a better method for doing what I'm trying to do or am I destined to have to either rewrite in data access layer so I can use User Instances or create my large database rather than copy it to the target directory?
I'm working on an app in Visual Studio 2005 that needs to have installed locally SQL Express to handle its own data.
This app is in a strong upgrading process. I've been using clickonce to publish the app and let my users upgrade automatically (by the way this works amazing ...).
Yet many times changes to the DB are made. Is there a simple way to upgrade their local SQL Express DB like click once does with the app?
Okay, I've read massive topics on ClickOnce, and embedded database applications, etc, etc.
I need a handful of good suggestions how I can create a deployment package, to get my sql express database onto a SQL Express server.
The database will need to be multi-user, because I am also developing a WinForms application to connect to the SQL Express database.
I'm thinking I need to use some automated scripting features, to generate scripts for the database once I am done (unless you have a better suggestion).
After that, I need to know what to do with those scripts, and how can I create a setup / deployment packages to run those scripts against a SQL Express server.
The other alterntative obviously is to copy my sql express database, and run an attach command. This will work the first time, only because this will have been the first deployment of this database.
Please keep in mind when answering this question, that I will not be embedding the database, and as far as I understand ClickOnce is a feature for use with embedded databases or user instance databases (not sure).
SQL Express CTP 2 provides a checkbox that will enrol the user installing the software as a database administrator. If the user fails to check this box, they run as an ordinary user, and hence are not allowed to perform functions such as create database.
In the process of deploying an application via ClickOnce, if SQL Express is not present it will be installed automatically. Also, in the process of deploying a ClickOnce application, we should usually expect to need to create a new database. Currently, if the user takes the default install of SQL Express they will not be a database administrator and will not be able to create the database. The installation will thus fail.
Is anything being done with SQL Express for ClickOnce applications deploying to Vista that will allow us to automatically enrol the user installing SQL Express as a database administrator?
Hi there. I've created a windows forms app that connects to a sql server express database. now that it's working on my box, i need to install the entire solution on the end user's machine. what's the best way to move the database? I found this article: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms165716.aspx but i'm wondering if anyone can give me some insights based on your own experience. I'm using ms visual studio 2005 and sql server express 2005. I'm hoping that all i'll really have to do is copy everything over to the new machine and then edit my connection string in the .exe.config file for my app.
I have a web app that uses two SQL Express databases. One of the databases is the membership database. I am deploying the app to a hosted environment. Here is my connection string:
Could not open new database 'Akamojo_ASPNETDB'. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. Cannot attach the file 'e:hostingmemberakamojoTournamentLogApp_DataAkamojo_ASPNETDB.mdf' as database 'Akamojo_ASPNETDB'. File activation failure. The physical file name "c:inetpubwwwrootTournamentLogApp_DataAkamojo_ASPNETDB_log.LDF" may be incorrect. The log cannot be rebuilt when the primary file is read-only.
The mdf file is not read only. In the hosted environment the database is on the E drive. In my dev environment the database is on the C drive. From the error message, it appears that when it tries to build the log file it is trying to build it on the C drive in a path that doesn't exist in the hosted environment.
Hello, I would like to deploy a per-machine Express database as part of my VS2005 C# desktop application. The deployment must work with both XP and Vista from the same setup files. I'm not using One-Click installation. I don't want my users to have to configure Express with the Surface Area Configuration tool.
Since the database cannot go in C:Program Files because of Vista ACL issues, I am using COMMONAPPDATACompanyNameAppName as the install path for the database and other user writable application files. In XP this expands to C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataCompanyNameAppName and in Vista it is C:ProgramDataCompanyNameAppName. Neither of these paths have write privileges for unprivileged users, so the install program needs to change the write permissions at install time. Right now I am using SetACL ( http://setacl.sourceforge.net/ ), to do that and the install goes fine with write permissions on the companyName folder and it's children for all users.
But I can't connect to the mdf file in my COMMONAPPDATACompanyNameAppName folder. If I am the administrator/installer it works fine, but as an unprivileged user I get different errors, but mostly "Could not login user ...". For debugging, I have also tried installing the database in the "AppFolder" directory (which for my app in both Vista and XP is C:Program FilesCompanyNameAppName) and using "User Instance=true" in the connection string, and the connection is made but (at least on XP) the unprivileged user cannot write to the database because the folder lacks write privileges for that user.
I suppose one thing I could do would be to change the folder/file permissions in the AppFolder, but I am reluctant to do that because I have read that Microsoft does not guarantee that the "Compatibility" feature in Vista for the Program Files directory will be available in future releases/service packs.
So is there a way to do a simple installation/db connection for a per-machine database located in a COMMONAPPDATA path?
I'm posting this in the ClickOnce forums as well...
My application doesn't include the .mdf and .ldf files, rather it creates the database the first time the application is run using a script that is included in the build. I want to create the database in the ClickOnce data directory. The problem I'm having is that SQL Server complains when I execute the CREATE DATABASE command as follows:
CREATE DATABASE [C:Documents and SettingsxxxxxLocal SettingsApps2.0DataPQCK6EXN.5KGAW630RPT.VGOifie..tion_014028c05b1d6ec6_0001.0002_0e86966f19503c89DataiFieldMobile.mdf] ON PRIMARY ( NAME = N'myDatabase', FILENAME = N'C:Documents and SettingsxxxxxxLocal SettingsApps2.0DataPQCK6EXN.5KGAW630RPT.VGOifie..tion_014028c05b1d6ec6_0001.0002_0e86966f19503c89DatamyDatabase.mdf' , SIZE = 3136KB , MAXSIZE = UNLIMITED, FILEGROWTH = 1024KB ) LOG ON ( NAME = N'myDatabase_log', FILENAME = N'C:Documents and SettingsxxxxLocal SettingsApps2.0DataPQCK6EXN.5KGAW630RPT.VGOifie..tion_014028c05b1d6ec6_0001.0002_0e86966f19503c89DatamyDatabase_log.ldf' , SIZE = 1024KB , MAXSIZE = 2048GB , FILEGROWTH = 10%) END
Here's the error:
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException "The identifier that starts with 'C:Documents and SettingsxxxxxxLocal SettingsApps2.0DataPQCK6EXN.5KGAW630RPT.VGOifie..tion_014028c05b1d6ec6_0001.00' is too long. Maximum length is 128."
I posted this in the SQL Server Express forum as well...
My app deployed via ClickOnce. It ships with a database creation script which creates the database in the ClickOnce data directory. Upon uninstall, the entire data folder is deleted successfully. But if you then reinstall the app, SQL Server Express still thinks the database exists. Right now, to get a re-install to work, I have to go into Management Studio Express, click on the db (get an pop-up error as the physical db file is no longer there) and then click delete.
So my question is... what system proc should I execute in the db creation script before I run the CREATE DATABASE command?
I'm trying to compact a SQL CE database programmatically. I've copied the code from MSDN, and it's fine as far as it goes, but there's a problem tying to compact a database in a ClickOnce application because you don't know the path to the database. You have to use the "|DataDirectory|" in your connection string to signify the path to the database. But when I try the file operations to replace the old database with the compacted version, I get an error message that the path "|DataDirectory|" is not valid. Here's the code:
I downloaded and ran AdventureWorks.msi into my SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) one year ago.But I did not know how to attach it to my SSMSE then. Last week, I deleted it from the "Add or Remove" of Control Panel and I downloaded the new AdventureWork.msi and installed it my SSMSE. Today, I tried to use the Database Explorer of VB 2005 Express for the first Stored Procedure programming. I clicked on AdventureWorks.mdf and I got the following error: One or more files do not match the primary of the database. If you are attempting to attach a database, retry the operation with the correct files. If this is an existing database, the file may be corrupt and should be restored from a backup. Cannot open user default database. Login failed. Login failed for user 'CENADe1enxshc'. Log file 'C:Program FilesMicrosoft SQL ServerMSSQL.1MSSQLDataAdventureWorks_Data_log.ldf' does not match the primary file. It may be from a different database of the log may have been rebuilt previously. Please help and advise me how to correct this problem.
I'm working on a web application that uses SQL Server 2000. Once I'm ready to upload my website to a production server, I need to know how to upload my SQL Server database files to the server. Are there actual files that can be uploaded? I've only deployed a website that works with MySQL to a production server, and there were no files to upload... the database had to be created on the server, and then the data itself had to be exported to text files (on my computer), then imported/uploaded to the production server using SQL statements...
Hi..I would not like my customers to have access to any SQL code that isbeing packaged with our product and hence would like to encrypt it insome fashion. What's your recommendation on packaging/deploying .sqlfiles?Would appreciate any feedback.Thanks,Sandeep Madduri.
I am deploying SSIS packages using the deployment utility. We are starting to use configuration files for storing connection information. I have the configuration files in a directory on the server I am deploying the packages to, I want all new packages deployed to use these files. When I deploy a new package it wants to overwrite the config files on the server with the ones in the package. I have tried to remove the .dtsconfig file from the package deployment folder but then the package will not use the config files on the server. How do you deploy a package and get it to use the .dtsconfig files that are already on the server?
I am working on on SQL Server Integration Services and facing few problems in it.
Actually am supposed to create a package that would automatically pick excel spreadsheets with a specific format and import it onto the SQL server. (Lets say , there is a company named AB and they have got various products named CD,EF and GH and each product has its own spreadsheet in which its monthly sales(JAN, FEB,...NOV, DEC) is given. So i have to build a generic package for each product (lets say CD) so that i don't have to import every spreadsheet seperately for each month. To summarize i just have to build a package where i can deploy the various spreadshhets again and agian instead of building a package for each and every month spreadsheet seperately.
I have tried and used lots of combinations like Loop conatiners etc. but still am not able to find a solution to it.
I generated and transfered reports using RSscripter. I created those reports in my local machine. Then I transfered to prodcution machine. But the problem is there is no Visual Studio in prodcution machine. So I'm wondering how to deploy those reports now. Can any one tell me how to do this please?
I am hoping someone with more experiencing deploying packages from dev to other environments can help me out here. When developing in BIDS everything works fine. When I deploy I want to use a configuration file. This does seem to work fine by specifying the configuration file on the DTEXEC command. However, if it is specified incorrectly the package STILL executes using the information it was created with. I am attempting to control things like connection strings and passwords via configuration files so that I can take the same package and deploy to different locations and have it run against different sources and destinations. What I am afraid of is that things could easily get screwed up if the configuration file gets moved or renamed, or if the dba that is scheduling the job (outside of sql agent using a different job scheduler on a machine that only has the SSIS service) messes up typing the config file name. Shouldn't it fail if you specify an invalid parameter. Isn't there a way to make it do that? Any help or insight is appreciated. BTW I have used environment variables as well and the issue is the same. If it cannot locate it, it still will execute.
When I develop I sometimes forget and try to open the database file with the MS SQL Express Manager even though the web application I am devloping is still using it ... error lock occurrs and thats fine .... but what is the best way to unlock the files again? .... often I find myself having to restart the workstation because of this and thats sounds a bit like overdoing it .... there should be an easier way to unlock locked db files ...without having to restart the workstations.... is there ?
I have to write a program in VB to receive the read data from a RFID reader for my graduation project.The problem is I am not a computer science student so I have only general info on programming.
I created my DB in VB express but I couldn't find out how to send the read data (that will be either in XML or ASCII format) to my database...The read data will be transferred to my computer by the RFID reader's software but after that I don'T know how to transfer it to my DB.As I know I have to use commands like read.xml etc,but no idea how write the complete program.
I checked the forum and couldn't find the answer,sorry if someone already answered my question and I missed it.
1) What is the current version of SQL Server Express? 2) HOw much SQL Server Express costs (figure about 500 branch servers) 3)Are there any Tools from Microsoft to convert Access 97 directly to SQL Server express, and how much do they cost? 4)Server Hardware requirements to run SQL Server Express - disk size, memory size, security settings, pre-requisite, service needed. 5)Maximum capacity / capabilities of SQL Server Express-max # of simultaneous users,tables,rows,database size. 6)Any installation instruction for SQL Server Express.
Anyone know of a good "free" way to back up web files and SQL Server 2005 Express Database? I was able to use Windows Server 2003 Backup utility to back up the folder where the Databases were stored, as well as the web files, with no errors. But I have heard a lot of discussion that you can't just simply backup SQL Server data files? I'm wondering how sound the backup I've created is... Any suggestions?
Hi,I am new to SQL express and try to solve the 4GB size limitation.Is there a possibility to create a new database file every time I getto the limit?How can I do that with C#? how can I create new database file everytime it gets full?Can I be connected to two database files at the same time (the full dband the new db)?thanks in advance,oren
Hello, I work for a company that manages computers and their software using Active Directory. One of our packages requires SQL Express 2005, and so far I've been unable to find a good resource online. All I need to do is find a .msi file or a batch script that will install it. Thanks!
I have a small ASP.Net application developed in VS 2005 that I would like to deploy with SQL Express.
I have included the MDF file in the Application and added SQL Express as a pre-requisite for the Setup and Deployment project.
It installs SQL Express but when it tries to connect I receive: "This is not a valid login Cannot open user default database. Login failed. Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITYSYSTEM'."
I don't seem to have any options using the "prerequisite options in VS 2005 in terms of command line deployment parameters.
Likewise I would prefer to attach the database to the instance (because I need to write a connection string from a PDA using RDA and I have zero clue how to do RDA directly back to the file).
I have developed a windows mobile 5.0 application that is currently syncing with sql server 2005. I want to deploy the application with sql server express for the client. What do I need to do to make this work?
Hello 1.) Is there any solution for integrating the deployment of the sql server express into the setup project of my vb 2005 app ? 'Cause it is too much to install the framework... then the sql server and then the app....... Any help would be appreciated!
What are some recommended methods for deploying SQL Express throughout an entire organization? It appears that Active Directory/GPO deployment is out of the equation.
Can any one clarify me the doubt in deploying the application build with SQL Server Express 2005 as database and Vb.Net 2005 as frontend with the same setup made for delopying application. will the server installation and database creation can be made automatic.
If this is possible then what are the steps in doing so and the files to be included while enbeding with vb.net setup.
I have created an installer for deploying Sql Server Express. My installer will start the process of installing Sql Server Express. However the installation of SqlServer Express will fail because it says another installer is currently running (which is my installer). Is there anyway to work around this problem?
The reason why I would like to create an installer for the installation of Sql Server Express is because I would like to configure the SqlServerExpress without the user fiddling with the ini file.
Can multiple instances of SQL 2005 Express attach to the same database files on a network share? I have seen this done before with MSDE where the database files are stored on the server, but instead of having a SQL server running on the network and then connecting to it, only the database files exist on the network share and the users connect through MSDE running on the local machine. Is this possible with SQL2005Express? I do not have the ability to share an SQL instance from one workstation to another nor do I have the ability to install an instance on the corporate server. Is it as simple as creating the database and storing the files on the share then attaching the database to the SQL Instance on each workstation?
Hello, I am having a difficult time with a complicated task. I have developed numerous SSRS reports for my application and want to deploy these reports with my application. The application uses SQL Express Edition with Advanced Services. I have written an installer to automate this process, but my problem is getting the SSRS reports that I developed on my server incorporated into the ReportServer database created during the install of SQL Express Edition with Advanced Services. I have read numerous good posts and articles regarding the rsconfig.exe and rskeymgmt.exe utilities, but I am having problems. The main problem seems to be dealing with the encryption key. I have done a restore of the ReportServer database using a backup of the ReportServer database I used to develop my SSRS reports. This worked well with the exception that I can't seem to get past an error message stating that reportiong services has not been initialized. Keep in mind, I need an automated way to do this. Anyway, I have tried using rskeymgmt to restore a backed up copy of the encryption file that I took from the server where I developed the reports. I get an error message that scale-out deployment is not supported in this version or something like that. I can't delete the encrypted data because then the connection information for my shared data source is deleted also. Again, please keep in mind I need all of this to occur behind the scenes during an install without end-user intervention.
Anyways, sorry for such a long post. I would appreciate any help anyone may be able to provide.
An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) Description: An unhandled exception occurred during the execution of the current web request. Please review the stack trace for more information about the error and where it originated in the code. Exception Details: System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified)Source Error: here is my web.config file:<?xml version="1.0"?><!-- Note: As an alternative to hand editing this file you can use the web admin tool to configure settings for your application. Use the Website->Asp.Net Configuration option in Visual Studio. A full list of settings and comments can be found in machine.config.comments usually located in WindowsMicrosoft.NetFrameworkv2.xConfig --><configuration xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/.NetConfiguration/v2.0"> <appSettings><add key="EmailFrom" value="webmaster@reaganpower.com"/> <add key="EmailSubject" value="File Ready for Download!"/><add key="SmtpServer" value=""/> <add key="MailUser" value=""/><add key="MailPassword" value=""/> <add key="MailPort" value="25"/><add key="EmailFormatSelected" value="Text"/> <add key="PageTitle" value="Send It Now!"/><add key="ShareLocalFolderPath" value="H:MIS DepartmentIntranetSendItNowFileStorage"/> <add key="httpDownloadPath" value="http://misfs/SendItNow/ContentFiles/"/> <!-- <add key="CurrentTheme" value="CleanBlue" />--> <add key="CurrentTheme" value="CleanOrange"/></appSettings> <connectionStrings> <add name="ConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=(local)SqlExpress;AttachDbFilename=|DataDirectory|FileShareDB.mdf;Integrated Security=True;User Instance=True"providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/> </connectionStrings><system.web><!-- Set compilation debug="true" to insert debugging symbols into the compiled page. Because this affects performance, set this value to true only during development. Visual Basic options: Set strict="true" to disallow all data type conversions where data loss can occur. Set explicit="true" to force declaration of all variables.--> <identity impersonate="false"/> <roleManager enabled="true"/><compilation debug="true" strict="false" explicit="true"> <assemblies><add assembly="System.Design, Version=2.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=B03F5F7F11D50A3A"/></assemblies></compilation> <pages><namespaces> <clear/><add namespace="System"/> <add namespace="System.Collections"/><add namespace="System.Collections.Specialized"/> <add namespace="System.Configuration"/><add namespace="System.Text"/> <add namespace="System.Text.RegularExpressions"/><add namespace="System.Web"/> <add namespace="System.Web.Caching"/><add namespace="System.Web.SessionState"/> <add namespace="System.Web.Security"/><add namespace="System.Web.Profile"/> <add namespace="System.Web.UI"/><add namespace="System.Web.UI.WebControls"/> <add namespace="System.Web.UI.WebControls.WebParts"/><add namespace="System.Web.UI.HtmlControls"/> </namespaces></pages> <!-- The <authentication> section enables configuration of the security authentication mode used by ASP.NET to identify an incoming user. --> <authentication mode="Forms"/> <!-- The <customErrors> section enables configuration of what to do if/when an unhandled error occurs during the execution of a request. Specifically, it enables developers to configure html error pages to be displayed in place of a error stack trace. <customErrors mode="RemoteOnly" defaultRedirect="GenericErrorPage.htm"> <error statusCode="403" redirect="NoAccess.htm" /> <error statusCode="404" redirect="FileNotFound.htm" /> </customErrors>--> </system.web> </configuration>
Really confused ... I created 2 tables in a VB Express program (which went well). Problem is that I can't see/find those tables with MSME. I don't really understand how to connect the MSME to where the tables are. I created the tables under My DocumentsData and they are DBapp.mdf + DBapp_log.LDF and the tables are Items and Preferences. The VB application can "see" the tables OK.
Do I need to move the tables to C:Program FilesMicrosoft SQL ServerMSQL.1MSQLDATA (like the Adventureworks installation which I haven't done) or what?
