Skip to main content
All CollectionsHow To
Switching Client and Server Computers
Switching Client and Server Computers
Angel Horowitz avatar
Written by Angel Horowitz
Updated over 5 months ago

These instructions will help you switch a Client workstation with a Server in a network environment. This is commonly done because of hardware failure or computer upgrades.

Backup Your Database

  1. Open software on the server computer and select File > Backup and Restore > Backup Database.

  2. Save this backup of your database on an external storage device, such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive. Select a location easily found again on the device.

  3. Remove the device safely from the computer.

  4. Close the software on all computers in your network.

Create the New Server Using Existing Client Computer
If your new server is a brand new computer, skip ahead to the Create the New Server Using a New Computer section. If you are simply making an existing client computer the new server, this section will help you do so.

The first thing to determine on your existing client that is to become the server is whether or not it already has Microsoft SQL Server installed to hold your database.

  1. Go to Windows Start. In Windows Vista, 7, and 8, typing will start a search on your computer. Type SQL. If you have SQL Server installed, you will see SQL Server Configuration Manager displayed. If so, click it. In Windows XP, go to Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 > Configuration Tools​. If your search returns no results, see the Knowledge Base here for instructions on installing SQL Server. You will need to return to this article once the installation is complete.

  2. In the left hand pane, click SQL Server Services.

  3. In the right hand pane, make sure the installed instance, which may be named SQL Server (CMJ) or ​SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) is shown as Running in the State column.

  4. If its state is Stopped, right-click on it and select Start from the fly-out menu. (If it does not start, see the article here for help manually starting SQL Server.)​

  5. To ensure that SQL Server starts automatically during Windows startup, right click on the instance again and select Properties.

  6. Select the Service tab and make sure the Start Mode is set to Automatic.

  7. Plug in the external device with your database backup on it to this computer.

  8. Open your DaySmart software and go to File > Database Settings > Connection Settings > Edit Connection Settings.

  9. Select the This is my main computer (server) radio bubble and press Continue. Click the Automatic Setup option and press Continue.

  10. Restore your database.

    1. Select Restore a Backup from the Let's Get Started screen.

    2. Select I would like to restore my database from a database backup file.

    3. Select Restore a database from a specific location.

    4. In the navigation window, find your external device and double-click the backup file created in the first section. ​

  11. ​Go to File > Database Settings > Connection Settings.

  12. Write down or remember the Server Name from this window.

​​Once the database backup is finished restoring, your new server is ready to use. Skip to the Connect Your Client Computer(s) section.

​​Create the New Server Using a New Computer
If your new server is a new computer and joining your network for the first time, start by installing your software.

  1. ​Go to the Salon Iris support downloads page here. Download and install your version.

  2. If your version is not listed, send our support team an e-mail to request that an installation link be sent to you.

  3. Register with your serial number and activate your software.

  4. From the Let's Get Started screen, restore your database.

    1. Select Restore a Backup from the Let's Get Started screen.

    2. Select I would like to restore my database from a database backup file.

    3. Select Restore a database from a specific location.

    4. In the navigation window, find your external device and double-click the backup file created in the first section. ​​

  5. ​Go to File > Database Settings > Connection Settings.

  6. Write down or remember the Server Name from this window.

​​Once the database backup is finished restoring, your new server is ready to use. All that's left to do is connect your client computer(s).

Connect Your Client Computer(s)

  1. ​Open the software on the former server (new client) computer.

  2. Go to File > Database Settings > Connection Settings > Edit Connection Settings.

  3. Select This is an additional computer (client) and press Continue. Select Manual Setup and type the Server Name from the previous section.

  4. Click Continue and this computer will connect to your server. If it does not, see the article here for network troubleshooting help.

  5. Repeat Steps 2-4 of this section on all remaining client computers to direct them toward the new server.

Did this answer your question?