INFO:  How do I setup a DSN for SalesCart?

Article #:  5235

The information in this article applies to this particular SalesCart Product(s): 
STD, PRO, SQL, PLUG-IN

SYMPTOMS
 I want to move the SalesCart database (shop.mdb) out of the generic FPDB folder. How should I proceed?

CAUSE
 This article explains the steps on how to move the SalesCart database out of the FPDB folder and re-create the database connection to point to a DSN instead of a relative path to the database.

RESOLUTION

To setup a DSN on a server, you will need to have administrative control over the server. In most cases you will need to contact your web host to set a DSN up or in you will have some sort of a "web control panel" that will allow you to establish a DSN connection. However, in the rare instances where you have control over the server you can follow the instructions below.
Note: Always keep a backup copy of the files that you modify. We do not support any modifications. If you request any type of support from ComCity we will simply restore the files to their original state.
  1. Start by first moving your database file outside of the FPDB folder. The file can reside anywhere on the server as long as you can add the IUSER (Internet Guest Account otherwise known as anonymous user).
  2. Once you have moved the database (Shop.mdb) to the location that you want, you can create the DSN. In Windows, go to Start ->  Settings -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> ODBC Data Sources
  3. Select the "System DSN" tab and click on "add" (see example below).


     
  4. After you click on Add, select "Driver Do Microsoft Access (*.mdb) (see example below)


     
  5. Browse to the new location of the database file by clicking on the "select" button. (see example below)


     
  6. Select the database file and click OK to confirm the database path. (see example below)


     
  7. Specify the datasource name as well a short description (see example below) then click on the "advanced" button to specify a username and password for the connection. (as shown in the second image).





     
  8. Once you have created the DSN, you'll need to tell Microsoft FrontPage what DSN to use to connect to the database. For this you will need to start FrontPage, go to Tools -> Web Settings -> Databases and click on "Add" and create a new connection called "SalesCart1", make sure that you specify that the connection is going to be for a "system data source on a web server", click on browse, select the DSN connection that you created in the previous steps. Note: if you already have a database connection called SalesCart1, just simply modify the existing connection rather then creating a whole new one.




     
  9. Before you close the connections window, be sure to specify the username and password for the DSN. Click on the "advanced" button and enter the username and the password in the appropriate fields. (see image below)


     
  10. Click OK to confirm that new changes and you are all done.

SUMMARY
 This is a informational article.

STATUS

REFERENCE

Additional Query Words: dsn,database,connection,string

Active/inactive: Active
Author: Will Sani
Date: 03/24/03