Install MERL
This installation guide is for new MERL users only. If you have already installed MERL, please refer to the Updating MERL documentation located in the Getting Started section of the help manual.
The first step in the installation process is to determine which of the following options for running the MERL database your agency fits into.
Option 1 is for users who do not have a license for Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or greater
Option 2 is for users who already have a license for Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or greater and want to set up the MERL database on that server.
Option 1: You do not have a license for Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or greater
If you plan to use MERL on a single machine as a stand-alone user:
Install MERL from merl.michiganltap.org/downloads
At the end of the MERL install, you can either
Select Install SQL Express immediately, or
Not install it immediately and then use one of the SQL install files from merl.michiganltap.org/downloads/sql-downloads
To set up a new MERL database:
Start MERL
From the Options… button on the MERL User Login form, select Create new Database…
On the Create SQL Database form, select the drop-down arrow on the Server: field and select <Browse for more…>
The Server name: field should contain the name of the hosting machine followed by the SQL instance name, which will be TDG2012 or similar. Select it from the list on the Local Servers tab.
Enter a name for the database. The database name may be “MERL,” or any name beginning with “MERL.” If you enter any other name, “MERL_” will be prefixed to the name (for example “Eng” will become “MERL_Eng”). Select OK to create the new database.
A default ‘admin’ userid and password will be created for you. Select OK to log in with the default password. Change the default password when prompted and log in to MERL.
The connection string on the login form should indicate the same database and server that you just used when creating the new database. If the connection string does not, use the Options button and Change Server/Database to select them correctly.
After successful login, MERL will load lookup data (pay item codes, average unit prices, etc.) automatically.
If you plan to run MERL on more than one machine with a shared database:
On the machine or server that will host the database, install SQL Express 2014 or newer by downloading and installing one of the TDG SQL Express installers from merl.michiganltap.org/downloads/sql-downloads.
Install MERL on each client machine (do not also install SQL Express).
On one of the client machines, run MERL and create a new MERL Database (you only need to perform this step once).
To set up a new MERL database:
Start up MERL and from the Options… button on the MERL User Login form, select Create new Database…
On the Create SQL Database form, select the drop-down arrow on the Server: field and select <Browse for more…>
The Server name: field should contain the name of the hosting machine followed by the SQL instance name, which will be TDG2019 or similar. Select it from the list on the Network Servers tab.
Enter a name for the database. The database name may be “MERL,” or any name beginning with “MERL.” If you enter any other name, “MERL_” will be prefixed to the name (for example “Eng” will become “MERL_Eng”). Select OK to create the new database.
A default ‘admin’ userid and password will be created for you. Select OK to log in with the default password. Change the default password when prompted and log in to MERL.
The connection string on the login form should indicate the same database and server than you just used when creating the new database. If the connection string does not, use the Options button and Change Server/Database to select them correctly.
After successful login, MERL will load lookup data (pay item codes, average unit prices, etc.) automatically.
Run MERL on each of the other machines to connect them to the shared database.
Option 2: You have a license for Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or greater and you want to set up the MERL database on that server.
MERL requires that SQL Server accept mixed-mode authentication, that the SA account be enabled and have a password set, and that remote connections be enabled. If you have questions, call MERL technical support at 906-487-2102 for assistance or email MERL@mtu.edu.
Once the SQL Server is configured to accommodate MERL:
Install MERL on each client machine (do not install SQL Express).
On one of the client machines, run MERL to create a new database (you only need to perform this step once).
To set up a new MERL database:
Start up MERL and from the Options… button on the MERL User Login form, select Create new Database…
On the Create SQL Database form, select the drop-down arrow on the Server: field and select <Browse for more…>
The Server name: field should contain the name of the server running SQL Server. Select it from the list on the Network Servers tab.
Enter a name for the database. The database name may be “MERL,” or any name beginning with “MERL.” If you enter any other name, “MERL_” will be prefixed to the name (for example “Eng” will become “MERL_Eng”). Select OK to create the new database.
A default ‘admin’ userid and password will be created for you. Select OK to log in with the default password. Change the default password when prompted and log in to MERL.
The connection string on the login form should indicate the same database and server than you just used when creating the new database. If the connection string does not, use the Options button and Change Server/Database to select them correctly.
After successful login, MERL will load lookup data (pay item codes, average unit prices, etc.) automatically.
Run MERL on each of the other machines to connect them to the shared database.