Connection Setup with Microsoft SQL Server

LinkedPOS Professional is developed based on the Microsoft technology stack and therefore the backbone of this program is Microsoft SQL Server. However, LinkedPOS Professional can be connected to an internal database also but in this case, it will work as standalone. Sales Terminals will not be able to connect to internal database.

When LinkedPOS Professional's Back Office is started for the first time, the database does not exist and database connection dialog will appear in the image below. Connection settings must be provided for LinkedPOS to work properly.

1 : The default DBMS Type (Database Management System Type) is Microsoft SQL Server but it can be changed to SQLite by choosing one of the options displayed in dropdown list as shown in the image below:-

2 : Default Authentication for connecting to database is Windows. An alternative option for connecting to database is authenticaion mechanism that is mangaged by the database management system itself. Both options can be observed in the image below:-

3 : Default Server is the local machine and Default SQL Server Instance (MSSQLSERVER). Microsoft SQL Server may be on any other computer on the network. In order to discover all installed instances of Microsoft SQL Server on the local computer as well as all computers available on the network click the Browse Database Server Button button and all discovered instances will be displayed in the dropdown list. Simply select the target instance and press the OK button.

4 : The database name must be provided. The default database is LinkedPOS but it can be changed to any other name. On startup, LinkedPOS will check for tables and if tables are not found, then LinkedPOS will create the tables.

5 : User depends on theAuthentication type. If the authentication type is Windows, then the User is not required. But if the authentication type is Database, then User's name must be provided.

6 : Password depends on the Authentication type. if Authentication type is Windows then the Password is not required. But if the Authentication type is Database, then the Password name must be provided.

When the information mentioned above is provided, then validate this information by pressing the Test Connection Button button and all discovered instances will be displayed in the dropdown list. Simply select the target instance and press the OK button. Connection success or failure messages will be displayed accordingly. If the test connection is successful, then press the Save Button and connection information will be permanently stored. For closing the connection dialog, press the Close Button button.