These instructions will help you create a Virtual Private Network (VPN) using Hamachi. This will allow computers that are in different locations to share data as if they were in the same local network. Without a VPN, computers that are in different networks, i.e. at home and at work, cannot communicate with each other to share database information.
Using a VPN with DaySmart Software
A VPN will allow you to use your software with shared information in different locations. This may mean that you are setting up a Multi-Computer edition (Local Area Network or LAN) sharing a single database spanning across different locations or a Multi-Location edition (Wide Area Network or WAN) at two different businesses with separate databases that need to communicate occasionally. In either case, but especially for the Multi-Location, you may have your server computer that holds the database and all of your information in one physical location and a client computer that accesses information from the server in another location. You will only need to create a Hamachi network one time.
Using Hamachi to set up a VPN
Hamachi, a product offered through the reputable remote access company LogMeIn, is a software-based VPN. You can download Hamachi and set up a new VPN in just a few minutes at each computer you’d like to connect. Hamachi is an affordable and convenient solution to setting up a VPN. A free version is available or it can be purchased at a low annual rate when used in a business or commercial environment.
Installing Hamachi on a Server Computer
Select Download Now..
Run the installation file once it's finished downloading. Follow the installation prompts. You will click Next several times. We recommend selecting the option to create a shortcut on your desktop when asked.
Once the installation completes, press the Power On button within the LogMeIn Hamachi window.
If you already have an account with Hamachi, log in otherwise, select Sign Up and create an account.
Select Manage and then Manage Networks.
Log in with your account information.
Along the left side select Networks -> My Networks.
The computer you just installed the program on will be shown in the Non-members section. Click Edit on the far right.
Choose the Networks tab.
Click the checkbox for the network you added on the server computer and click Save.
You may be prompted by Windows to assign a Network Type. Choose Work Network if you’re using Windows 7. If you’re using Windows 8 or 10, a Networks charm will appear on the right side of your screen asking, “Do you want to turn on sharing between PCs and connect to devices on this network?” Choose Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices. Your client computer is now in your Hamachi network.
NOTE: Now that you have a Hamachi network created, follow the next section on each additional computer you will be connecting even if it's one of your locations' server computers. You only need one Hamachi network to connect both locations.
Installing Hamachi on Client Computers
Click Download Now.
Run the installation file once it's finished downloading. Follow the installation prompts. You will click Next several times. We recommend selecting the option to create a shortcut on your desktop when asked.
Once the installation completes, press the Power On button within the LogMeIn Hamachi window.
Sign in with your LogMeIn Hamachi account you previously created.
Select Manage and then Manage Networks.
Log in with your account information.
Along the left side select Networks -> My Networks.
The computer you just installed the program on will be shown in the Non-members section. Click Edit on the far right.
Choose the Networks tab.
Click the checkbox for the network you added on the server computer and click Save.
You may be prompted by Windows to assign a Network Type. Choose Work Network if you’re using Windows 7. If you’re using Windows 8 or 10, a Networks charm will appear on the right side of your screen asking, “Do you want to turn on sharing between PCs and connect to devices on this network?” Choose Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices. Your client computer is now in your Hamachi network.
You can now log out of the LogMeIn account on this computer and follow the same steps in this section on your remaining client computers.
Additional Hamachi Recommendations
To prevent confusion, we recommend modifying the display names of the computers in your Hamachi network for ease of use. Doing this on each network member will make it easy to determine whether a computer is a client or a server.
Grab the System pull-down menu in Hamachi and select Preferences.
Click the blue change... link on the right.
Append -Server in the New Name box on your server computer(s) and -Client on your client computer(s).
Click OK to save changes.
Connecting Your Software Through Hamachi
Make sure that Hamachi is running on all computers and connected to the network created in the steps above.
In Hamachi on your client computer(s), right click on the computer name that is the server and click Copy Address.
Open your DaySmart software. It will likely not be able to connect to the server. Click Cancel on the Establishing Connection to Database window.
When the operation is finished canceling, click OK on the error message that is displayed. You will be taken to a grey screen that states No Database Open at the top.
Go to File > Database Settings > Connection Settings > Edit Connection Settings.
Select This is an additional computer (client) and press Continue.
In the Manual Setup section, delete everything in the box before the \CMJ (or similarly named SQL instance).
Place your cursor in the box before the SQL instance, right-click, and select Paste. This will paste the Hamachi network address of your server computer. It should read something like 25.119.49.7\CMJ.
Click Connect and your client computer will connect to the server. If the software states that the server computer could not be found, then you may have the incorrect SQL instance name on the end of the server computer’s address (the \CMJ part of the address). Determine the instance that the server computer is using by going to the server computer’s Database Settings > Connection Settings screen and noting the name listed at the end of the Server Name, i.e. \SQLEXPRESS or \DSI.
If you are using the Multi-Computer edition, you must continue to the article here if you do not know how to set up Wide Area Network settings in your DaySmart software.
Hamachi is configured to start with Windows automatically, but it is important to note that it must be running on the server and any client(s) on different local networks when connecting DaySmart software.
Other VPN Options
There are other methods of using a VPN other than Hamachi, though we recommend Hamachi for a quality, quick, easy, and inexpensive option. Some other software options for setting up a VPN include:
OpenVPN
Cisco VPN Client
HideIP
You may also purchase VPN hardware to establish a more permanent connection between computers located in different places. Note that hardware VPNs are generally not suitable for use with a laptop. Some companies that provide VPN hardware include:
Linksys
Cisco
If you do decide to use a software or hardware solution for setting up a VPN other than Hamachi, it is recommended that you contact a local technician to assist you with the set up.