When changing the database connection for an Abacus installation, there are four key configuration files that need to be updated:
Step 1
Update the A4W shortcut target field
The A4W shortcut target field includes parameters for the SQL Server and database. These parameters look like this: SQLServer='sqlservername' catalog='databasename'.
Locate the existing A4W shortcuts.
Modify the SQLServer and catalog parameters to point to the new database.
Step 2
Modify the job service configuration
In the Job Service installation folder, there’s an XML configuration file named Target.Abacus.Jobs.Service.exe.config.
Open the file and find the <connectionStrings> tag.
Locate the <add name='Abacus' ...> tag within it.
Update the connectionString attribute with the new server and database name.
Restart the Job Service to apply the changes.
Step 3
Update the admin installation configuration
In the root directory of the Admin installation in IIS, there’s an XML web.config file.
Open the web.config file.
Find the connection string tag similar to the one in the Job Service configuration.
Update the server and database name.
Restart the IIS site to apply the changes.
Step 4
Update the Provider Portal configuration
The Provider Portal has its own XML web.config file that needs updating.
Open the web.config file in the Provider Portal directory.
Find and update the connection string tag with the new server and database name.
Restart the IIS site to apply the changes.
Additional step: Update Encrypted Password
For A4W to work correctly, it uses an encrypted password stored in the installation directory. Ensure that the abacususer on the new database has the same password as the existing database. If you need to change the password, please raise a new case online and reference the title of this article for further assistance.