Situations:
- Viewing raw data within Print Manager Plus for developing an integrated solution
- Running scripts against the Print Manager Plus Database
- Performing advanced troubleshooting by view database version, structure and data
Applies To:
This article applies to installations of Print Manager Plus 2010 installed using the default SQL Express 2005 database option. Most of the data is still valid for a customer running their own instance of SQL, however this guide is not targeted at those setups. Current version build at time of last article update: 8.0.137.172.
Introduction:
By default the Print Manager Plus database is a Microsoft SQL database that is hosted from a SQL Express 2005 instance that gets created during a default installation of Print Manager Plus.
The Print Manager Plus database is responsible for the following roles within a Print Manager Plus solution.
Database Roles:
- Storing all print job history of allow and restricted print jobs.
- Storing all settings, restrictions and quotas for all Print Servers
- Providing security via Microsoft SQL Windows Authentication as to who can connect to the PrintManager database and use it.
Obtaining Microsoft's SQL Management Studio:
Accessing and managing Print Manager Plus' Database is best done using the Microsoft SQL Management Studio. This is a free download available at the Microsoft Download Center.
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express:
This example shown in this article are based on this version of SQL Management Studio which is downloadable from: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=7593
Connecting to the 'PMP' Instance of SQL:
Upon launching the SQL Management Studio, you will be prompted to connect to an instance of SQL.
You will need:
- Administrative rights to the machine running the PMP Instance of SQL
- Know the name of the SQL instance your database is on. By default MachineNamePMP
After specifying your instance, and clicking [Connect] Management studio will open that instance of SQL
Granting Permissions to the 'PrintManager' Database:
By default the SQL Express instance created is accessible only by members of the local [Administrators] group.
If you need to provide rights to additional accounts, the following steps can be used.
1. Open the SQL Management Studio and connect to your SQL Instance.
2. Browse to the [Security] > [Logins]. Right click on Logins and choose [New Login]
3. a new dialog will appear, click Search and choose the Account or Group you wish to grant permissions to the Print Manager Plus database.
4. Once that user or group is found and selected, click [User mappings] on the left hand side and then check the database namedPrintManager. Finally specify the database roles you would like to grant that user.
5. Click OK once the desired permissions have been set.
List of tables within Print Manager Plus:
The following is a list of common tables and description of what information is stored within each table. More tables may exist, but are beyond the scope of this guide
*Tables will only be present when using the Print Manager Plus WebAdvantage Add-on
Browsing and viewing Tables:
The tables can be browsed and edited in different ways. To view and even change data that is stored.
Browsing the Table List:
1. Open Management Studio and connect to your SQL Instance.
2. On the Left hand side, expand [Databases] and browse the [PrintManager] Database.
3. Within the database will be a list of tables used by Print Manager Plus.
Opening a Table to view its Contents:
1. Locate the table that you wish to view the contents of and right click on the table and choose [Select Top 100 Rows]
2. The first 1000 rows will be visible. You will see a script that has actually been written and run for you. You can alter the 1000 to be any number you would like, and then click [F5] to rerun the script.
Viewing the Database Columns and Settings:
1. Locate the table that you wish to view or edit, right click and choose [Design].
2. A view of each column in the table and various options are listed for it.
Running Scripts & Queries:
1. Opening Management Studio and connect to your SQL Instance.
2. On the left hand side, expand [Databases] and browse the [PrintManager] Database. Select this database and click the [New Query] button.
3. A new script window will appear. Write your script, or copy and paste your script into this window.
Once in place run it by clicking [Execute].
Any Script Results or Messages will appear in a window below the inputted script.
Backing up the PrintManager Database:
1. Browse the Print Manager Plus Database:
Now that you have connected to that SQL Instance, you will want to browse the Databases folder and find the database namedPrintManager.
2. Open the Backup Dialog:
Next, right click on the PrintManager database and open Tasks>Backup. This will open a new dialog with backup options.
3. Configure Backup Settings and Run:
Within the dialog will be a variety of backup settings. Typically everything can be left as it is defaulted, and you can click OK. Once OK is clicked it will create the backup; this may take several minutes.
Below is a reference of some of the basic options.
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