Networks

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Before setting up a Network you should understand the difference between a Client Server and a Peer to Peer Network.

If after setting up the network using one of the below methods and you are having problems with the net go to Network Troubleshooting for information on possible causes and solutions.

A Client Server consists of a Server that has one or more desktop (clients) attached to it. Normally the software is not run on this machine but is there to store the data files or as in the case of Method A below a full copy of the software which the clients use to run on their machines.

A Peer to Peer is like a Server except that the Server in this case is one of the clients. The software will run on this machine as well as the other clients.

In the information below Peer to Peer is the same as Client Server.

You can install Invoice! WinPro™ on a network in one of two ways:

Method A - Installation of software to Client Server.
Install the software to one directory on a Server. Users then may set up an icon on their respective PC's and point the software to the Client Server by filling out the software icon and pointing it to the Invoice! WinPro.exe file located on the server. The software and associated data files would then be in one location. This is a slower method and if you are using a slow connection could cause corruption of data files; and is not recommended.

On the Client Server (or Main clients machine if Peer to Peer) do the following:

1. Install Invoice! WinPro.

2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the drive where you installed the software. (Normally the C drive.)

3. You must share this drive. See Sharing Drives below.

4. At this point you are finished on the Client Server.

Go to each of the clients that are attached to the Client Server and do the following:

1. Open Windows Explorer and click on the Tools Menu Item.

2. Click on Map Network Drive.

3. Follow the instructions for mapping a drive with the wizard that opens. Make sure you select the Drive letter that was shared from the Client Server.

4. Once the drive is mapped close Windows Explorer.

5. On the desktop click the right mouse key and select New.

6. Select Shortcut.

7. A wizard opens to create the shortcut.

8. Click on the browse and navigate to the shared drives software File\Invoice! WinPro\Invoice! WinPro2.exe file and highlight it.

9. Click on Okay.

10.Back on the wizard you should see the path you just clicked on. Click on next.

11.You may change the name of the shortcut if you want. If not click Finished.

This creates a shortcut on the desktop to run the software.

Test it.

You should note that the software as well as the data file is still on the server and not on the clients machine.

Method B - Installation of software to Client Machines with Data files on Client Server.
If you wish to install the software on a client machine and leave the data files on the server, put the setup software on the server. Create a directory/folder on the server called 'Data'. You will need a copy of the data file in this folder. (If this is peer to peer setup then the data file is already there under c:\software files\Invoice! WinPro\Data. If it isn't then after installing the software on a clients machine copy the data file to the server under the Data location you created. You must do this prior to running the software on the clients machine.) This data folder is where the data files will be stored. You must use the name Data for this method to work. Make sure you have mapped a drive to the clients machine from the server (See sharing drives below.). Click on setup.exe (on the server that you downloaded the software to) from the client machine you wish to have the software installed on. This will install the necessary files on the clients machine. Once this is done do the following:

1. On the desktop of the clients machine Right Mouse click the Invoice! WinPro desktop icon.

2. Under the Short Cut tab look for the Startup Location: field.

3. Highlight the field and delete the contents.

4. In the same field after the contents have been deleted enter the path to the Data folder on the server.

i.e. If the Servers Name is DAVID and shared drive is called C and if the Data folder is on the server in the following location: software Files/Data the path would be: //DAVID/C/software Files. Note there is no Data at the end of the path.

5. After entering the path click on Okay. This closes the properties window and returns you to the desktop.

Test it.

Sharing Drives

To Share a drive on the network you must do the following on the Client Server, or the clients machine that will have the data file everyone will use: