Newbie install question

Classic Servoy
1

I’m new to Servoy and would like a bit of help understanding the deployment of the product to the end user. I’m currently using Filemaker Server on a 2003 machine so that’s where my “head is”. When I develop a new solution, I just put it into the Filemaker server folder and it is served up to the clients.

Here’s what I think I understand about Servoy. I might be way off in left field here, so please bear with me. The database is an SQL database and we are offered Sybase for free as part of the Servoy package. The database contains client tables as well as a table for us that is referred to as a repository and the repository holds our user interface. After I build that interface with developer, I need to somehow install Sybase along with all the tables and repository on the client’s server for them to use on their network. I see that Servoy Application Server is running as a service on my server, so I’m guessing that is the interface for the clients to access their data and the solution (forms etc).

Would I download a complete install package at my customer’s office and then insert some license keys?

Thanks for any clarification.

Bill Belanger

2

And of course, somehow I need to install the solution I’ve developed onto their machine as well.

I see how easy this would be if I was hosting the solution on my server, but that might not always be the case.

Bill Belanger

3

Why don’t you read the documentation? It is all in there…

Everything, including licenses happens with the application_server in the heart.

The repository holds all info about the solution, users etc.

It is true client-server so all solution related databases/tables are on the server.

4

The docs; ServoyDev4UserGuide.pdf tell me

􀂃 Perform a default install of Servoy.
􀂃 Use Servoy Developer on that server to configure the database connections.
􀂃 Import your solution(s).

It’s the import of my solution I can’t seem to find instructions for.
But thanks for the response.

Bill Belanger

5

BillB:
I’m new to Servoy and would like a bit of help understanding the deployment of the product to the end user.

Hello Bill Belanger, it’s nice to hear you’re working with Servoy.

I’m currently using Filemaker Server on a 2003 machine so that’s where my “head is”. When I develop a new solution, I just put it into the Filemaker server folder and it is served up to the clients.

Uploading a solution to the client’s server is just as simple with Servoy. You export the solution you’re releasing from your development environment, resulting in yoursolutionname.servoy file, use the browser-based Admin UI and upload/import it on the client’s server. And tables, fields, relationships, value lists, etc. that you’ve created using Servoy Developer will be automatically created on the client’s server, regardless of whether the back end they are using is the same as yours.

The part you left out ;-) is what’s entailed in updating FMP solutions. With Servoy, generally speakig you only need repeat the process you used to upload the solution the first time. Changes to schema will be made automatically when the new version is imported. Click the button to activate the new version and it is instantly deployed. Click the button to roll back the version if need be, it is rolled back. Instances where manipulating the actual data would be very seldom, and there is no need to import data from one db to another if you’ve made schema changes. I think you’ll like that aspect of Servoy vs. FMP.

Here’s what I think I understand about Servoy. I might be way off in left field here, so please bear with me. The database is an SQL database and we are offered Sybase for free as part of the Servoy package.

Yes, and unless you’re already conversant with another SQL RDBMS and alredy have it installed and running on your local setup, it’s easiest to simply use the default ASA database for development (Adaptive Server Anywhere, from http://www.ianywhere.com, a subsidiary of Sybase). If your clients do not already have a database server running some other db that they prefer, the client license for ASA is included in the cost of the client license for Servoy, so long as only Servoy is used to connect to the database.

The database contains client tables as well as a table for us that is referred to as a repository and the repository holds our user interface.

The repository holds the entire Servoy solution: interface, value lists, unstored calcs, methods, UI and so on.

After I build that interface with developer, I need to somehow install Sybase along with all the tables and repository on the client’s server for them to use on their network.

On a server you install Servoy Developer, which also installs Servoy Server (app server) and ASA.

Then you launch the Servoy Developer application which will set up the repository connection for you, and you need to add db’s (just the db, not the tables/columns etc) and the named connections (same name is important only for the connection, not for the db) using Servoy Dev.

Next, you set things up so that Servoy Server and the database are running as a background service. (Instructions are in the server admin guide, look for the downloadable pdf’s on servoy’s main site.) Then you use a web browser (locally or remotely) to import a solution to the server. During the import Servoy will create the schema automatically.

I see that Servoy Application Server is running as a service on my server, so I’m guessing that is the interface for the clients to access their data and the solution (forms etc).

End-users will access the solution for the first time via a browser link. For Smart Client deployment, the app is downloaded to their webstart cache, or to their desktop, depending on what settings you have made. When you update the server, or add a new plug-in to the server, or update or roll back a solution, those changes will automatically be broadcast to users (even mid-session). For Web Client deployment, Servoy Server, with a simple click of your mouse, will also serve the application for use in a web browser. Web Client users have a real session on the server and data changes will be broadcast to them same as to Smart Client users.

So it’s actually Smart or Web Client that the clients use “to access their data and the solution”; Servoy Server, well, serves it. :-)

Would I download a complete install package at my customer’s office and then insert some license keys?

You would download the install package, launch the Developer app to set up repository and specify your named connections, quit Developer, get the database and the Servoy server running as services, and then use a browser to the admin page in order to enter license key(s) for the clients. That’s an abbreviated explanation, to be sure, but I’ve done it successfully on a Linux server at a client’s on my first try – it’s pretty simple.

Thanks for any clarification.

you’re welcome. Marcel’s recommendation to read the docs is a good one, as you move forward in your process. But I hope this overview helps get you started,

kazar

6

As a follow-up, Bill, I have a friend playing Greek Chorus in a chat window on my computer, critiquing the above post. He is right in all the points he’s making so I should clarify that the above is not intended as a how-to. It’s an overview in the hopes of helping you get your head around how Servoy works on a conceptual level. Def read the docs when you’re sitting at that client’s server (or before you get there :lol: )

kazar

7

Thanks so much Kazar. The big light came on when I found the Servoy Admin guide. That really filled in a lot of blanks for me, because as you know , that is not how FIlemaker “databases” are added (imported) to the server. I was trying to import from developer.

You answered another very important question for me about updates to the current solutions. I really appreciate your time.

Bill Belanger

8

Using 4.1, The only way I can get the databases up is

  1. start developer (this seems to start the repository)
  2. quit developer
  3. Start the Servoy Application service
  4. Try to start ASA, although it brings me a bunch of arguments, if I just close that box, all runs well.

I’ve tried every other combination I can think of and the above sequence is the only thing that works. I would expect that starting the Servoy server and ASA would start the repository?

What is the proper sequence to get the server going on WIndows 2003?

Thanks
Bill Belanger

9

Hi Bill – You should be able to start the ASA database-as-a-service by first creating a “Network Database Server” service using Sybase Central. See Chapter 4.2 of the Server Admin Guide … had you followed those steps yet? Once that is accomplished the ASA service (I think it shows Adapative Service Anywhere) will show in the Windows Services control panel where it can be set to start manually or automatically.

I admit this is just book knowledge for me, but I think this is how it’s supposed to go…

kazar

10

I would expect that starting the Servoy server and ASA would start the repository?

If I remember correct it is on purpose that this is not so.
Although ASA is included in the distributuion it is still possible that other databases are used for a server install.
It is for that reason that you have to create a database service yourself.
Using Sybase Central or the included command line tools it is not so hard to do.
It is also well documented in the Sybase docs.

11

I had Servoy 3 on my server then installed 4.1, so I probably have some issues there that need to be worked out. Even though it is a bit convoluted to start it, I can host Servoy solutions on my old server. I just need to get the paths right so it will start alone.

I started on a new server, downloaded a new 4.1 installer and checked every checkbox available. I cannot find sybase central anywhere after the install.
I can find it on my old server, but not on the new one. Do I need to install something that does not come with the Servoy installer?
I can start developer and everything looks normal. Servoy Server is listed in the services directory, but I don’t see ASA Server like I do on my old server. This is a very clean 2003 server with only Filemaker Server running on port 80. No other apps. 4.2.1 of the admin docs tell me I need to start Sybase Central??? My old server has SQL anywhere 9 and 10. Should I download that onto the new server? Should I need to?

Thanks
Bill Belanger

12

Read the docs again and I should get developer, server and asa 10 with a clean install. Tried a fresh download and install and no dice. Anyone have an idea on what I should try next?

Thanks
Bill Belanger

13

By the way, I do see the database install. Item #4 of 13, just before the runtime.

Bill

14

Hi Bill –

Sorry, Sybase Central needs to be installed separately, and this is not explained within the Server Admin Guide. The Servoy package installs Servoy Eclipse and the database itself, and you can create your back-end structure in ASA via the Servoy Eclipse IDE, but as you have seen Sybase Central is not part of the package. “SQL Anywhere Studio” is the Sybase title you need; it includes the Sybase Central tool.

I don’t think it’s a great idea to try to just copy SQL Anywhere 10 from another machine. Do a real install so that any necessary components that may be required in system libraries are put into their proper places. (Keep that clean server clean …)] The “evaluation” version is free for developers and download requires that you register on the Sybase site (also free).

A handy servoy.com page for a list of download sites is http://www.servoy.com/generic.jsp?mt=39 … omy_id=396 – start there and click on “Download Sybase Central”. You’ll need to fill in a form and so long as you use the same email address as you used when you may have downloaded SQL Anywhere Studio, the same key will be emailed to you. If you have not downloaded it in the past or use a different email address you’ll get your key. As I recall, registering for the download gives you Sybase Developer Network membership (free), and in the future you can just log in to download again or to cruise around viewing the docs and other resources. Docs for “SQL Anywhere” (a.k.a. Adaptive Server Anywhere, or ASA) are maintained on the Sybase site. Information about iAnywhere products (their mobility suite is quite interesting), on the other hand, is found on the ianywhere.com site.

Hope I got all that straight, it’s a while since I dl’d SQL Anywhere

happy new year,

kazar

15

Thanks again Kazar. You would think that this is such a change that it would appear in the “What’s new in 4.0” stuff. I wonder how other new users will tackle this issue? I suppose either they’ll post here, bug the Servoy support team, or unfortunately, maybe give up because things don’t work as documented. I’ll keep reading. Maybe “it’s in there somewhere”.

Happy New Year to all the Servoy community.

Bill Belanger

16

I read some more on the Servoy home page and they tell us to go to Sybase to get Sybase Central. Servoy says to get version 10 but I see version 9, 10, and 11 are available. Seems like in 3.5 version 10 was available and we were told to stick to version 9. I wonder if Servoy could let us know if version 11 is OK or not.
’

Bill Belanger

17

You would think that this is such a change

What is the change that you are referring to Bill? What did I miss?

18

BillB:
I read some more on the Servoy home page and they tell us to go to Sybase to get Sybase Central. Servoy says to get version 10 but I see version 9, 10, and 11 are available. Seems like in 3.5 version 10 was available and we were told to stick to version 9. I wonder if Servoy could let us know if version 11 is OK or not.

Are you sure about this?
I have used sqlAnywhere 10 with 3.5 and it was distributed with 3.5 at some point as well.
Servoy always tells us which version we can use by making it part of the distribution imho.
I can imagine this has technical reasons and could also have to do with their agreement with Sybase.

19

Well, I guess I actually had Servoy version 3.1 and that’s probably a big difference.

I guess I’ll just stick with iAnywhere 10 with Servoy 4.1 until I’m told different. Seems like anytime I’m an “early adopter” I get in trouble.

Bill Belanger

20

Seems like anytime I’m an “early adopter” I get in trouble.

I can’t judge that but just for your information I have happily used Servoy 4 Eclipse starting with the private alpha releases.
Obviously there were issues but never with the databases.
I don’t know what, why and how it goes wrong on your side but I have upgraded my solution on the server a couple of weeks ago from 3.5.7 to 4.1 and it was done within 30 minutes.
Setting up the services for Sybase took me another 30 minutes ( of which 25 minutes were spent on downloading the Sybase docs because I did not remember how to do it ;) ).
And that was it.