Creating a Sandbox Database for Running a Beta or Testing

If you want to run a beta alongside your current version of the program, it is best to create a 'Sandbox Database' that contains a copy of your live data. You can then upgrade the Sandbox database and run the beta version on that database without interfering with the operation of your existing system.

First you will need to make a note of the path to your live data on the Aliases tab of the server.

Here my Live Alias is called 'A Live Database'

The path is C:\ProgramData\Navigator Systems\NX SQL Server\Live Database

Most companies store the database as a directory in the C:\ProgramData\Navigator Systems\NX SQL Server\ folder as the Navigator_SQL user that runs the Database service bt default has read write access to this folder.

The next Step is to stop the NX Server to allow the files to be copied.

Open Task manager and go to the Services tab.

The Service name will depend on whether you are running the 32 bit or 64 bit Server

32 bit : 

64 bit:

Right click on the service and select 'Stop'

Navigate to where the folder for your live data is located

Copy and Paste the folder from Step 1 creating a copy

Rename the newly created folder to make it clear that this is the new / practice database

Here I have named mine 'A Sandbox Database'

Copy the folder path for this new folder to the clipboard

Start the service named Navigator Systems NX SQL Server V3 or Navigator Data Service

1. Go back to the HTNX server web portal Aliases page

2. In the Add New Alias Section, type in the desired name and paste the path for the sandbox database

3. Click the Add Alias button

4. Click the Save Changes button

The new database alias should now be visible in the Aliases section at the top of the page

Note: Depending on how your Windows Permissions are configured, you may also need to also make sure the Windows User running the service has full read / write access to the new database folder. (Without full access, HTNX users will encounter problems when they try to log in). 

If you wish to run a beta that requires a later database version - You can now perform any database upgrades to this sandbox database from the Database Manager Page on the server by selecting 'This' against any database upgrades for the sandbox database

Then pressing 'Save Changes'