By Wally Johnson
Created on 10/23/2002

Technical Note Summary:

This document was written to assist Librarians in setting up a new machine as an Alexandria data station, transferring a data file from one version of Alexandria to another and manually configuring clients.

What is a Data Station?

The data station is the machine that houses and serves the Alexandria data. This machine is sometimes referred to as "the server." This is the machine that you install Alexandria on, and where client installers are created. It is also the machine where updates are downloaded and installed, backups are created and where utilities can be run.

System Requirements

Before installing Alexandria on a new data station, you will want to check to make sure that you meet the minimum system requirements. Check with Technical Support for the latest system recommendations that include:

The amount of RAM required.

Minimum processor speed and type.

Disk space requirements.

Supported operating systems.

An adequate backup strategy.

A static IP address.

Once you have verified that your system does meet the technical requirements for running Alexandria, you can then install the program.

Installation

When setting up a new data station you will want to install the latest version of the software. The latest version of the software is available by CD or by download from our website HERE. To order a CD call 1-800-347-6439, or email support@companioncorp.com to request a CD be sent by mail. For instructions on downloading the latest installer from our website, please call Technical Support at 1-800-347-4942. If you have questions about your support subscription, please call our Sales department at 1-800-347-6439.

Once you have a CD, or have completed downloading the latest installer from our website, run the installation program. Follow the instructions provided by the installer. It is recommended that you accept the default location settings when loading Alexandria. By default, Alexandria installs on a Windows machine to C:\Program files\Alexandria v5 folder. On a Macintosh, the Alexandria v5 folder is found just inside the Macintosh Hard Drive. Please install only to local disks, as running Alexandria from a network drive is not supported. Once the installation completes, you are ready to move your data over.

NOTE: IF YOU CHOOSE TO INSTALL TO A LOCATION OTHER THAN THE ONE RECOMMENDED BY THE INSTALLER, PLEASE NOTE WHERE IT IS LOADED. IF ALEXANDRIA IS LOADED ANYWHERE BUT THE DEFAULT LOCATION, THE COMPANION TECHNICAL SUPPORT STAFF WILL HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHERE IT HAS BEEN INSTALLED

Transferring Data

To move data from your old data station to the new one simply copy the Data folder from the Alexandria v5 folder of the old machine, and place it in the Alexandria v5 folder of the new machine. Methods for copying the data between the two machines include:

Copying the data folder to a Zip disk, CD or other media then moving that media to the new machine.

Copying the folder via file sharing.

Emailing the folder. The data folder may be too large for email. A typical data folder can be as large as 100 MB.

Transferring the file to an FTP server and then downloading it to the new machine.

Once the Data folder has been moved to the Alexandria v5 folder on the new machine, you can launch Alexandria and verify that your data was successfully transferred.

NOTE: USERS WHO WISH TO MOVE FROM ONE PLATFORM TO ANOTHER (MACINTOSH TO WINDOWS OR WINDOWS TO MACINTOSH) MUST OBTAIN NEW REGISTRATION CODES FROM COMPANION'S SALES DEPARTMENT. TO CONTACT OUR SALES DEPARTMENT, PLEASE CALL 1-800-347-6439.

Client Issues

If you have a multi-user license and have installed clients, they will be set to look at the IP address of the old data station. A simple solution to this problem is to assign the IP address of the old data station to the new one. If the old IP address cannot be assigned to the new data station, then you must manually configure your clients to look at the new IP address, or reinstall the clients with the installers created by the new data station.

To be able to manually configure your client machines with the new IP address, you must have a user account in Alexandria of Librarian or higher; the data station serial number and the IP address of the new data station.

Setting Up an Alexandria User

To setup a user on the data station, go to Edit-Preferences. Please refer to Figure 1. Click on New User to add a user. Fill in the fields: Username; Password and Confirmation Password, and then select the level of the user. The first user must always be a Library Administrator.

Figure 1 - Administration Preferences

Once an Alexandria user has been established, you will need to find the IP address and serial number of the data station.

Alexandria's System Analysis

The System Analysis report will give you both the IP address and serial number of the data station. To run the System Analysis report, go to Reports-Special Reports. Under Report Name, choose System Analysis from the pull-down menu, and then click on Print. Please refer to Figure 2.

Figure 2 – System Analysis Report

You will see your Alexandria registration information, including serial number, at the top of the System Analysis report. Please refer to Figure 3.

Figure 3 – System Analysis with Serial Number

The IP address for your machine can be found lower in the same report under the Network heading. Please refer to Figure 4.

Figure 4 – System Analysis with IP Address

Once you have your serial number, Alexandria username, and IP address, you are ready to manually configure your client stations. Launch Alexandria on the client machine, holding down the M and C keys; a client configuration window will appear. Please refer to Figure 5. Enter in the information in the fields provided and then click on OK. Your client should now be configured to connect to your new data station.

Figure 5 – Client Configuration

NOTE: IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT SETTING UP YOUR NEW DATA STATION OR ABOUT CONFIGURING YOUR CLIENTS, PLEASE CALL TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT (800) 347-4942.