4.2 Project Server (projects' definition) access

4.2.1 Server side

Let we start building our project environment.

First of all we need a separate directory dedicated to hold all TRIBON Project's information. For this reason we create a directory called "DemoProject" located on disk "D". As a general rule we use disk "C" for the operating system and software installation only. Disk "D" we usually dedicate for data storage.

Click on "Create New Group" button and key in the group name and the location in the group's properties dialog box.

We always select Local (Windows NT) for the platform type when it is a Windows based project. The "Remote" option is used for projects located on UNIX or VMS platform, but it is not a subject of this document.

Note that "Location" must point to the directory where the project definition files are located.

This way we can create a number of different project groups to be hosted by this server and each group may consist of a number of projects. In this case two projects DemoP1 and DemoP2 will be made immediately available as their project definition files (d065...sbd) already exists in the directory pointed by the field "Location". We can add more projects to this project group by simply creating a new project definition file right in the location directory ( D:\DemoProject ). Please note that it is not obligatory the project's structure (data banks and files) to be located under the same directory. This is just one of the variations that we could have.

Now when we have a project group created, we must setup the project server options. Click on the "Options" button and consider the following dialog.

Here we have two important items. The first one is that in the "Location" the option "Run Tribon Project Server on this computer" must be selected. The second one is that we must assign a dedicated user, which account will be used by the project server. For this reason in Identity "This user:" must be selected and then in the "User:" field we specify the users account in the following syntax: DOMAIN\USER_NAME. The user's password is required as well.

Please note that this must be a valid user's account. It must be previously created in the domain controller and must belong to the domain administrators group. This account we dedicate only for the project server purposes and will not be used for ordinary work or by company's employee. When ready, press "OK" button to return to the main application window.

From this application we can modify the project definition files. When a project name is selected, the project's variables will be listed in the "Parameters" window. Click on any variable and change its value in the "Value" field. Then click "Set". When ready with all changes, the project definition can be stored using "Save" button. Please note that this function will overwrite the project definition file (d065...sbd) and the variables might be listed not in the same order as they were in the original file. If you want to keep the original file formatting, you should edit it in an external text editor and use project setup application only for reference.