Migrating Tekla PowerFab to a New Server

Steps to moving the program to a new server (all users must be out of the system)

Perform the server installation on the new server.

• Tekla PowerFab Server:  The Tekla PowerFab Server is usually the first and needs the following installed:
  • Tekla PowerFab - Run the installation file and then open and run the application to complete the database install. A Trimble ID is used for the sign in and initial user name is admin and the password is fab
  • Remote server service.  Run the TeklaPowerFabRemoteServerSetup from the C:\Users\Public\Documents\Tekla\Tekla PowerFab\Backup folder.
  • In the settings for the remoter monitor sign in with a Trimble ID, preferably one with all available licenses assigned.
  • If the old default directories are going to be moved then set up the default directories as desired given the recommendations and set them correctly in the program on the server.
  • Other items may be installed as required if this is to also act as a workstation for the below functions.
  • Document the directory locations, server IP address and server name for use in installation/update on client machines.
  • It May be necessary to create an inbound rule for the Windows firewall to allow the connection to the database through TCP port 3306.
     
• Get the data from the old server
  • Open the program on the old server as an admin.
  • Note the current location of the default directories by going to file, default directories.
  • Optional – Select file, administration and from the administration drop down menu select Check and Repair Tables medium.
  • Optional – Select file, administration and from the administration drop down menu select Optimize Tables.
  • From the file menu select Backup Database and save the file to an accessible location to the new server or portable media.
  • Open the services and disable MySQL_Fabsuite to prevent users from doing work in the old database.
     
• Restore the data on the new server
  • Open the program and log in as an administrator.
  • Go to file, Restore Database.
  • Browse to the location of the database backup from the old server and select the file.
  • Follow the prompts to restore the database.
     
• Migrating default directories to new locations - If the default directories are local to the old server then they may need to be move to the ones set up on the new server.  If they are on a separate file server they may or may not be being moved.
  • The content of the Document Index, Drawing and Custom Report directories are critical to migrate to the new location.  Others are optional.
  • Locate the default directories.
  • Copy the content of those directories to the new directories on the new server or location.
     
• Updating the connection and settings on the client machines
  • Open the program on the client machine.
  • Prior to logging in select the connection button on the login window and set the connection to the new IP address or server name.
  • When you log in you will ge a message if the database connection has changed to update the ODBC connection to match the new one.  This is so the report viewer connection is also changed.  Select yes.
  • Once logged in go to file, default directories and set the directories to the new location.  Again, Document index, Drawing and Custom Report directories are critical to the program operating.  The update directory is important if the desire is to have the future updates be ran through a system generated prompt.
     
• Tekla PowerFab GO Connection update - It is important for those using Tekla PowerFab GO that the port forwarding on your router is updated if the server IP address is changed.  Due to the number of varieties of routers and software interfaces for setting port forwarding specific instructions for this cannot be provided.