GPV Configurator

##GPV Configurator History For the first 8 or so years of the GPV, configuration entries were made directly into the configuration tables using database access utilities such as SQL Server Management Studio. GPV administrators needed to learn how the configuration tables related to each other and rely on the check configuration utility to identify any possible errors or typos within a viewer's configuration.

During 2012, a Microsoft Access application was created to provide a set of related forms to make managing the configuration database more intuitive and administrator friendly. These forms are interrelated with each other providing an easy to navigate workflow and look-up entries limited to values existing in related tables. The GPV administrator will still need to use database utilities for managing stored procedures and other DBA tasks, but all configuration work can be done within the GPV Configurator.

The first version of the GPV Configurator was released to the GPV User Group in early March of 2013. This version provides form-based editing of the core GPV tables, but also allows direct database editing of all tables, including those without forms. Future versions of the GPV Configurator will include forms for other tables, additional validation and check configuration capabilities, and - like the GPV itself - other enhancement suggestions that the user group identifies and promotes.

##Using the GPV Configurator Download/Install GPV Configurator

• Download the most recent version of the GPV Configurator (here).
• Unzip the file and copy it to a location that meets the following criteria:
  • Has Microsoft Access installed
  • Can access the GPV Configuration database using an OLEDB connection. This could be on the same server as the GPV web application, or the GPV administrator's desktop.

Link the GPV Configurator to the Configuration database

• Open the MS Access application
• Enable macro's if necessary for your environment (consider making the GPV Configurator's folder a trusted location)
• On the main form (frm_MainMenu) enter values for:
  • The DB server\DB Catalog of the database instance that contains the GPV configuration tables.
  • The GPV configuration database name
  • The Prefix of the GPV configuration tables
• Click the "Connect to Config DB" button
• Wait about 30 seconds for the connection strings for the linked MS Access tables to be updated. (A message will pop up when completed.)
• Verify the connection string is correct by hovering the mouse over a linked DB table and reviewing the values in the popup. Alternatively, you can double click on a table name and open the table directly to verify that the connection has been properly configured.

Use Main Menu to Access Configuration Tables

• The default form shows a logical model for the core GPV configuration tables. Each of the configuration table icons can be clicked on to navigate to that table.
• A configuration table form consists of the following elements:
  • Fields for populating configuration columns.
    • Hover over a field to see the default value/required entry.
    • Click in a field to see configuration help hints from the wiki in the status bar at the bottom of the page. (Hover over a truncated status bar message to see the full text.)
    • Required columns are shaded light grey.
  • The form is split with a single entry form above a corresponding datasheet view below. Table columns can be populated using either method. Sometimes bulk changes are easier in data sheet view.
  • Navigation buttons that open related forms.
  • Record control options for scrolling through a large number of configuration table rows.
• Click on the pencil icon to save an edit to the database. Hitting the ESC key will cancel any unsaved changes.

Updating Non-Core Configuration Tables

• GPV configuration tables that are not accessible via the MS Access forms can still be updated from within the GPV Configurator. Double click on the configuration table name to open a datasheet view of any configuration table (those with or without forms).
• Make configuration edits as appropriate.
• Note that editing these linked tables does not provide the pull-down look-up values or other validation help that is provided in forms or datasheet views.
• Be sure to click on the pencil icon to save an edit to the database. Hitting the ESC key will cancel any unsaved changes.