Complete Time Tracking Professional supports multiple databases. A single database, named default, is automatically created when the Complete Time Tracking Professional server software is installed on the Server computer. A single database supports multiple users, a single list of categories shared by all users, and time entries recorded by users and assigned to categories. Multiple databases allow you to separate the users, categories and time entries for different staff groups. For example, two large departments within an organization may choose to use two separate databases so that each maintains their own independent users and categories and reporting on their own time entries.
Note: While multiple databases may sound appealing they also have a few drawbacks. For example, backup and management of multiple databases can be more complex and users will need to specify the database name in the server field when the log in. Consider the disadvantages when deciding whether or not multiple databases is the most appropriate solution.
Database Files and Identifiers
Each database has a unique identifier. This allows Complete Time Tracking Professional to match a restored database to an existing database, if present, even if the database has been renamed, and to match an offline database to the database on the server computer.
Each database is stored in a separate folder, named using the unique identifier for the database. There are two files for each database, a file with the extension "tdb" which stores all of the data such as users, categories and time entries, and a configuration file named config.xml which stores configuration data used to identify the database.
Note: If you are performing a backup or restore of the database manually or using third party backup software you must back up or restore the folder and the two files listed above that are contained within it.
Databases are managed using the Databases tab in the Server Manager program. This is shown as follows:
The name, unique identifier and database filename for each database are listed in the Databases table. The Server Login Text shows the details that users must enter into the Server field when logging in, including the TCP port and database name if required. Select the Copy to Clipboard button to copy the server login text to the Windows clipboard. The host name is used in the Server Login Text as known to the server computer however a more appropriate name or IP address might be required to access the server from other computers. You can use the Server Details tool to list the server host name and IP addresses.
A new database can be created by selecting the Create button. You must provide a unique name for the database. If you are creating the first database it will be assigned the default name of "default". Other than the "default" database, users will need to specify the database name when logging in. The login server value is displayed when creating the database.
Each database is assigned a unique identifier. This is generated automatically but can be changed if desired. When a new database is created the database data and configuration files and the folder containing them are created automatically. You can open the databases folder by selecting the Explore function.
An existing database can be deleted by selecting the Delete button. You will be prompted to confirm the deletion. When a database is deleted all data such as users, categories and time entries contained within it and the data and configuration files are deleted permanently. The database folder is also deleted if there are no other files contained within it. The only way to restore a deleted database is using a previous backup.
The name of a database can be changed by selecting the Rename button. Note: Users will need to specify the new name when logging in.
See the backup and restore sections which detail the steps to backup and restore a database.
Copies the unique identifier for the selected database to the Windows clipboard.
Copies the filename of the selected database to the Windows clipboard.
Opens the folder where the database files are located in Windows Explorer. This allows you to quickly locate the database to make a file-system backup (manual folder and file copy, or using external backup software) .
Allows running of a database script against the selected database. See Running Database Scripts.
This button scans the database folders present on the server computer and determines which databases are present. It can be used if the database list needs to be updated due to changes made outside of the Server Manager program, such as removing a database manually or restoring a database that does not already exist in the database list.
See also:
Backup using the server manager
Restore using the server manager
Specifying the server name when logging in