Create a New Database or Use Multiple Databases

SQL System Administrator (sa) credentials are required to create the database if the SQL Server instance is not a TDG instance (a SQL Server Express instance provided with the MERL installer).

Before proceeding, SQL Server 2008 or greater must be installed. For instructions on downloading SQL Server Express see Install MERL, or download SQL Server Express from http://merl.michiganltap.org/downloads by selecting the appropriate file from MERL Utility Files.

Create a New Database

Select the Options… button from the MERL User Login window.

The MERL User Login window displays when MERL is first opened. If MERL has already been logged in, exit and reopen MERL to access this window.

Select Create New Database… from the menu to open the Create Sql Database window.

Select a Server using one of the following methods:

Select a server from the dropdown menu.

Enter a valid SQL Server Instance name.

Select <browse for more> from the dropdown menu.

Enter a name for the database.

The database name must be “MERL” or begin with “MERL”.

Select the Create Database button.

If a database with the same name already exists, an error screen will display that the database already exists and can’t be created. Select the OK button to continue creating the database, or go back and enter a new database name.

After confirming the new database has been created, the MERL login will be “admin” with the password “admin”. The password can be changed by selecting Change My Password from the Tools menu.

Connect to a Different Server or Database

Select the Options… button from the MERL User Login window.

The MERL User Login window displays when MERL is first opened. If MERL has already been logged in, exit and reopen MERL to access this window.

Select Connect to Server/Database… from the menu to open the Connect to Server window.

Select a Server using one of the following methods:

Select a server from the dropdown menu.

Enter a valid SQL Server Instance name.

Select <browse for more> from the dropdown menu.

Select a Database from the dropdown menu, or type in the database name.

The database name must either be “MERL” or begin with “MERL”.

Select the Connect button.

Back at the MERL User Login screen, verify the appropriate server and/or database is connected by looking at the database name. Once logged in, server and database names are shown at the top right of the MERL screen.