Handy Library Manager, tutorial: Network Installation

Network Setup Instructions for PrimaSoft Handy Library Manager

NOTE : make sure you have replaced "myserver" with the real name of your server or designated computer.

Download and Install

Download the trial version of Handy Library Manager from our website or use a CD ROM (if you have purchased it) and install the software on your network drive (e.g. in F:\handy_lib folder) and share this folder. Make sure every user on your network has full Read/Write/Execute access permissions to that folder and all subfolders.

Note: you can install it on your server local drive C: as long as you can share a folder on it (e.g. C:\handy_lib). To make the setup easier call the shared folder "handy_lib".
Move DB Folder

Skip this step if you installed the program (step 1) on the local drive C:.

Using Windows Explorer locate Handy Library Manager main folder e.g. F:\handy_lib. Inside it, you should find db folder (e.g. F:\handy_lib\db). Move db folder to your server local drive that is not shared such as drive C:. For example, you could create a folder called handy_lib on drive C: and move db folder from F:\handy_lib to C:\handy_lib.
Modify datadir.txt File
In your Handy Library Manager main folder (e.g. F:\handy_lib) locate a file called datadir.tx$ and rename it to datadir.txt. If datadir.tx$ does not exist create a blank text file. Then, double-click on datadir.txt and modify the path to db folder according to step 2. For example, datadir.txt could contain the following line:

\\myserver\c:\handy_lib\db\
where "myserver" should be replaced by the name of your server.

After modifying datadir.txt file save it and exit from Notepad.
Download and Install Firebird 2.5.5

Download and install Firebird 2.5.5 database engine on your network server using the following link:
http://www.primasoft.com/librarymanager/Firebird-2.5.5.26952_0_Win32.exe

After downloading this file run it on the server and follow the setup instructions.
Open Port 3050 on the Server Firewall

On the server, make sure Port 3050 is accessible to all users (create an Inbound Rule).
Download "primasoft.dl" File

Download this file into your Firebird UDF folder:
https://www.primasoft.com/librarymanager/primasoft.dl
For example, if Firebird is installed in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Firebird\Firebird_2_5_5
you should download "primasoft.dl" file to
C:\Program Files (x86)\Firebird\Firebird_2_5_5\UDF
folder and rename it to primasoft.dll.
Rename "fbclient_net.dll" File to "fbclient.dll"

In your program main folder (e.g. F:\handy_lib delete a file called fbclient.dll and rename a file called fbclient_net.dll to fbclient.dll).
Create Desktop Shortcuts

On every workstation that will be running the software create desktop shortcuts to all or some of the following files in \\myserver\handy_lib folder: libadmin.exe (main program for administrators), io.exe (Check In/Out Module), libadd.exe (Data Entry Module), and search.exe (Search Module).
Modify Backup Folder setting in Options

Start the main program (Handy Library Manager) and click on Options in the main window. Then, click on Maintenance tab and set Backup Folder and Restore Folder to

\\myserver\handy_lib\backup\
\\myserver\handy_lib\restore\

Question: How do I move the handy library database to a new server?

Answer: To move the Handy Library database to a new server, you need to follow these steps:

1. Download and Install Handy Library Manager on the new server.
2. Move the 'db' folder from the existing Handy Library Manager to the new server's local drive C: if it's not already installed there.
3. Modify the 'datadir.txt' file to point to the new location of the 'db' folder.
4. Download and install Firebird 2.5.5 database engine on the new server.
5. Ensure Port 3050 is open on the new server's firewall.
6. Download and place the 'primasoft.dl' file in your Firebird UDF folder.
7. Rename the 'fbclient_net.dll' file to 'fbclient.dll'.
8. Create desktop shortcuts for the Handy Library Manager on workstations.
9. Modify the Backup Folder setting in Options to point to the new server's backup folder.