How to Migrate Director and Closed DB

How to Migrate Director Software
and associated ‘Closed’ Database to a Different PC
Introduction
There are occasions when it is necessary to move Director Software and its associated ‘Closed’
Database to a different PC – e.g. due to a PC Upgrade requirement or PC Failure.
Other Migration options involving ‘Open’ Databases are not covered in this Document.
Before commencing with this procedure (or indeed any other Director Software or Database
maintenance) take a current Database Back-up and store it away from the Director Server PC.
Index
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Leave the Original Director Server operational for now
Take a Back-up of the Existing Database
Director USB Licence Key
Install Director Software on the New PC
Restore the Original Director Database to the new PC
a. If the Version of Director being Installed is a later version than that on which the
Database was created
6. Check Communication Devices are available as per the Original Server
7. If Direct Cable Connection is required
8. Stop Director Server Communications on the Original Server
9. Connect the relevant Communications cables to the New Director Server
10. Start-up the Director Software on the new PC
11. Start a Communications Session on the New Director Server
12. If the Communications to the Panel(s) does not start
a. Repeat 8. above, but select ‘Communications Pool’ rather than ‘Pending/Edit’
b. If still no Communications Connection to the Panel(s)
13. If all else fails
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The Procedure
N.B. Though a step-by-step guide, this document does assume a certain level of xL (AFx) system
competency – certainly an understanding of Basic Director Server to Panel Communications configuration.
This operation should be left to those with Director Software/xL Hardware Experience and Training.
1. Leave the Original Director Server operational for now
To avoid unnecessary service disruption
2. Take a Back-up of the Existing Database
Go to the ‘Management’ Tab in Director and select ‘Database Maintenance’
Click on the ‘Backup Folder’ Button and navigate to a Suitable Folder to store the Back-up. Possibly a USB
Flash Drive or CD ROM – to allow the removal of the file from the xL Server.
3. Director USB Licence Key
If you have an alternative Licence key, have it available for the new Director Installation
If you need to use the Licence Key from the Original Server:
•
Remove the USB Licence Key from the Original Director Server (Leaving the Director Application
running).
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o
The Director software will continue to Run for approximately 1 hour before reporting the Key
missing and stopping.
4. Install Director Software on the New PC
Using either the same, or a later version of Director.
Install the Director USB Licence Key when requested to do so by the Installation process.
If you are installing a later version of Director than used on the Original Director Server, ensure the Licence
Key SSA Expiry Date is later than the build date of the Director Software being installed. If not, speak to
your Guardall Sales Representative for details on how to obtain an update.
• Click on Start – All Programs – Verex Director (or Chubb) – Verex Director Licence Manager (or
Chubb):
5. Restore the Original Director Database to the new PC
N.B. Before Restoring the Database please ensure that the ‘Director Server’ Application or ‘Director Server’
Service (‘Application’ or ‘Service’ selection is made during the Director Installation process – v4.7x or later
can only be installed as a Service)
Click on Start – All Programs – Verex Director (or Chubb Director – depending on the Director version) –
Verex Director Repair (or Chubb).
Select the ‘Back-up/Restore’ Tab
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Click on the ‘File’ Button and navigate to the Back-up file created earlier – possibly on a USB Flash Drive
or CD ROM.
Click the Restore Database Button
Wait for the Message confirming the Restore is complete.
5a. If the Version of Director being Installed is a later version than that on which the Database was created
It will be necessary to run the Database Conversion utility to bring the Database up to the same level as
the Director Software version.
This can be found in Windows explorer:
•
•
•
•
Program Files
Verex (or Chubb)
Verex Director (or Chubb Director)
Director DB Convert.exe
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6. Check Communication Devices are available as per the Original Server
Right Click the Director Communications Icon in the Tool Bar on the Bottom Right of the Windows Desktop.
Select ‘Port Configuration’ and ensure the correct Communication devices are selected – Direct Cable, IP
etc (should be the same as on the Original Server)
7. If Direct Cable Connection is required
It may be necessary to install the Windows ‘Communication cable between two Computers’ modem
•
This will be required if this option is not present in the above ‘Port Configuration’ options.
To install this modem (if required):
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Go to Control Panel
Select ‘Phone and Modem options’
Select the ‘Modem’ Tab
If the Modem is not in the list – Select ‘Add’
Make sure to ‘Tick’ ‘Do not detect Modem’ and then Click ‘Next’
The ‘Communication cable between two Computers’ modem will be at the top of the list – select it
and click next
Select the Comms Port that this Modem will use and complete the Installation
o Once installed it will appear in the ‘Port Configuration’ as above.
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8. Stop Director Server Communications on the Original Server
Select the ‘Communications’ tab in Director.
Select ‘Pending/Online’
Right Click the ‘Edit’ Button
If a Comms Session is currently active the ‘Disconnect’ option would be available
Click ‘Disconnect’
9. Connect the relevant Communications cables to the New Director Server
Direct Cable
IP (Network Cable)
Modem Cable
10. Start-up the Director Software on the new PC
N.B. Restart the ‘Director Server’ ‘Application’ or ‘Service’ (stopped in 5. above) before Starting Director.
If Director is installed as an ‘Application’
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•
Double Click the Director Communications Icon on the Windows Desktop
If Director is installed as a ‘Service’
• There will be no Director Communication Icon on the Windows Desktop
o It will have started automatically on PC Start-up/Reboot
Use the same Logon as on the Original Server Installation.
Ensure all Account details/configuration are as expected.
11. Start a Communications Session on the New Director Server
Select the Account to which you wish to establish Communications
Then repeat 8. above - but select ‘Add’ instead of Disconnect
Right Click on the Account or Panel that you wish to establish Comms to and select ‘Add’
Ensure ‘Action’ is set to ‘Normal’
‘Tick’ ‘Stay Connected’
Click on ‘OK’
Connection to the Panel(s) should be established and normal operation should be possible.
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12. If the Communications to the Panel(s) does not start
It may be due to a conflict between Communications Devices used on the Original Director Server and
those added on the New Server
Stop the Communications as per 8. above
A. Repeat 8. above, but select ‘Communications Pool’ rather than ‘Pending/Edit’
Delete ALL Devices in ALL Communications Pools (Do not delete the Communication Pools, just the
Devices in them)
Close Down Director
Re-add the Communications devices in Port Configuration – as per 6. above.
Start Director again
Select the Account to which you wish to connect.
Select the ‘Communications’ Tab (lower left of the main Director screen) and ‘Communications Pool’ (as
Above)
Add the IP and/ or Direct Cable Communications devices to the appropriate Communications Pools – As
per the Original Server.
Repeat 11. Above.
B. If still no Communications Connection to the Panel(s)
It could be that Multiple Communications Sessions are in a ‘Pending’ state
Ensure the Communications Session has been stopped – 8. Above
Click on the ‘Account Folders’ tab – towards the top left of the main Director screen.
Do not select an Account
Click on the ‘Communications’ tab – below the ‘Account Folders’ tab
Select Pending/Edit
Click on ‘Grid View’ – in the Tool Bar at the top of the Screen
Right click and ‘Disconnect’ any Communications Sessions that are present.
Click on the ‘Account Folders’ tab
Select the Account to which you wish to establish Communications
Repeat 11. above – to establish a Panel Communications Connection
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13. If all else fails
You still have your Original Server available
•
•
•
Reconnect the Communications Cables
Restart Director
Restart the Communications to the Panel
You have a Database Back-up
•
•
This can be restored to any PC with Director Software installed
Communications can be established to the Panel(s)
You CAN get the Customer system back-up and running.
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