How to setup a full version of Microsoft SQL Server to work with ESC

ESC is designed to work with both express and full versions of Microsoft SQL Server. When installing the SQL Express version that accompanies ESC, dESCO has added in a customized .ini file that tells the installation what settings are required to install it for the software's needs. However, if a user has a full version of SQL Server, these settings will need to be applied into the program to allow ESC to properly work.

Details:

It is best to use SQL Server Management Studio to make these necessary changes if SQL is already installed. The following settings will need to be changed or added into a full version of SQL in order for ESC to be able to work with it:

1. Enable Mixed Mode Authentication - In management studios, right-click on the server name at the top of the object explorer list and left-click on properties. Click on the Security option and switch the server authentication to SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode. Click OK.
2. Modify the SA User - In management studios, expand the Security folder in the list under Object Explorer and then expand the Login's folder. Right-click on the sa user and left-click on properties. ESC uses a complex password of !dESCO?2010 and this must be entered into the password fields. If there are any problems saving this change, uncheck the Enforce password policy option.
3. In Windows, go to the programs list and click on the SQL Server Configuration Manager. Next click on the SQL Server Services and on the right side you should see at least the SQL Server (ESC) or whatever instance maybe used and the SQL Server Browser. Both of these services must be running and the Login for each should be set to the built-in account Local System. (Using Network Service will not work)
4. Also in the SQL Server Configuration Manager, click on SQL Server Network Configuration and expand it out to click on the Protocols for ESC. Enable both Named Pipes and TCP/IP. This will require a restart of the services which needs to be done.
5. Ensure that any firewalls on the SQL Server computer as well as workstations are either disabled or configured to allow ESC, SQL Server and the SQL Browser to pass through the firewall. See this article for more details.
6. If your full version of SQL Server is going to be installed, most of the configuration settings indicated above can be set during the installation process. (Steps 3 and 4 have to be done after installation) It is also recommended that the named instance to be used should be set to ESC for ease of use.

Additional Info:

ESC Technical Support cannot provide installation assistance with full versions of SQL. However, once the software has been installed to a computer, if there are issues applying these settings, we would be able to adjust and confirm that these settings have been properly applied.

NOTE: If you are upgrading from SQL Server Express, you need to make sure the full version of Microsoft SQL Server is equal to or newer than the version ESC is current running on. You can view the current version in ESC by going to Help → About.