[There's a reason that Yoda is the unofficial mascot of SBS. Size indeed matters not.] SBA on SBS [the unsupported instructions to get the datafile ON the network] - THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF THE SBS DIVA
Mon, Aug 29 2005 18:56 bradley

SBA on SBS [the unsupported instructions to get the datafile ON the network]

So you build a Small Business Accounting Program and you call it a multi user version...and then you don't install it on SBS in such a way so that the msde datafile is 'on' the server, but rather on a desktop inside the office.

Okay ....lemme get this straight... why does EVERYONE see the word 'multi-user' and translate that to “Peer to Peer” except for me?  I WANT that datafile ON the Server.  I mean that's WHY I have a network you know so that data can be better protected over there.  I don't see peer to peer networks as being of value to me.  I WANT a server.  I WANT the active directory goo.  I WANT the control.  So what's a gal to do? 

She gets advice from her fellow geeks who hack up the way to get it on the server. 

So here is the unofficial, unsupported instructions to get SBA on SBS 2003.

“What I have done is install Small Business Accounting on SBS2003.  This results in an MSDE instance called MICROSOFTSMLBIZ being installed there.  The instance can host the BCM database as well.  You would install BCM on your workstation, set it up for sharing and add users.  Then shut down Outlook and SQL on your workstation, copy the BCM database and log file to the server and use SQL Enterprise Manager to attach them there.  Restart SQL and Outlook on the workstation.  You should now be able to redirect Outlook to the copy of the database on the server.

Unfortunately this method is not supported by Microsoft as I mentioned in the meeting.  In fact, if you have SBS Premium you can upgrade the MSDE instance to full SQL to remove any database size or number of user limitations.”

Remind me to email Dennis Clark and give him feedback to take back that they DO start supporting SBA on SBS.  I mean... it just makes sense, you know?

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# re: SBA on SBS [the unsupported instructions to get the datafile ON the network]

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 11:40 AM by bradley

I installed SBA 2006 on my SBS2003 Premium SP1 server. When attempting to enable Multi User mode SBA crashes. I posted this to the Microsoft SBA newsgroup and received the following response:

=====================
At this time it is not on the list of supported configurations but we are
continuing to evaluate the need to add SBS 2003 to the list of supported
configurations.

There is a known issue when attempting to enable multi-user when the
Windows Firewall is disabled on SBS server (or on XP/2000 boxes if ICS is
not started). As stated earlier, there is not a published KB or white
paper on th supporting SBS 2003 (Premium or Standard).

This service will need to be started in order to enable the multi-user
access for your database, once it has been enabled the service, verify you
are able to connect from machines on your network that have been given
access to SBA.

Keep in mind that you will need to use the MSDE instance that is installed
with the application (MICROSOFTSMLBIZ) and by enabling multi-user, you are
enabling the TCP/IP and named pipes protocols for this instance.

Once multi-user has been enabled it is opening connection to the SQL
database via port 56183 so via ISA you would need to have this port open.

There are end-users that have been able to implement SBA on SBS Server and
enable Multi-user but did have to enable the Windows Firewall in the
Services list but to warn you, there is a known issue on SBS with Service
Pack 1 if you enable the Windows Firewall it may cause problems with your
remote access.

Some end-users have had to do the following to get around the problem with
Remote Access:

Uninstall SP 1 for Windows 2003.
Disable RRAS.
Install SP 1 for Windows 2003 again.
Configure RRAS.
===========================

While I know it's not a supported configuration, I'm not trying to use SQL Server.

What are your thoughts about this response?

Thanks,

Greg

# re: SBA on SBS [the unsupported instructions to get the datafile ON the network]

Wednesday, October 19, 2005 12:04 PM by bradley

As a followup, there is a white paper Microsoft published that discusses using SBA in a multi user environment.

I posted this article back to the newsgroup and am waiting for the engineer's response.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,

Greg

# re: SBA on SBS [the unsupported instructions to get the datafile ON the network]

Thursday, October 20, 2005 7:49 AM by bradley

Here is the configuration that worked for me - steps supplied by Microsoft:

On SBS
1. Go to Start | Run, type in svrnetcn and choose OK
2. Choose MICROSOFTSMLBIZ from drop under instance "SQL Server Network Utility" dialog
3. On the Left side of the dialog in the "Disabled Protocols" window select "TCP/IP" and click on "Enable" button.
4. On the right side of the window select the "TCP/IP" and click on "Properties" button.
5. In the "Default Port" field of the new dialog type 56183
6. Click OK to confirm
7. Click OK on the next dialog to confirm
8. Click OK on the Message "Any changes made will be saved; however, they will not take effect until SQL server service is stopped and restarted".
9. Click OK on the next dialog
10. Go to Start | Run, type in services.msc and choose OK
11. In the Service Window, locate the MSSQL$MICROSOFTSMLBIZ instance and highlight
12. Choose to Stop the Service
13. Start the service

Then Perform the following steps:

1. Go to File | Manage Users, create your users
2. Once that completes go to File | Data Utilities
3. Choose Rebuild File, create a new .sbc file (give file unique name that you will recognize)
4. Send that .sbc file you create to client computer (where user you created on step 1 has access) where SBA is installed
5. Attempt to launch using the .sbc file

# re: SBA on SBS [the unsupported instructions to get the datafile ON the network]

Sunday, July 02, 2006 7:05 PM by Bill Watters

I like CRM, but it's too much for most of our client base...I've been looking for a way to get the BCM db onto the SBS w/out installing outlook on it (this being a bad thing from what I understand ;-P)  it's so simple, but I just had not put it together.
Thanks,
Bill Watters