Lava Quick-Start Guide

This short guide describes basic setup and initial usage of the Lava System. Refer to the more detailed documentation for further information - especially the Installation and Administration Guide.

Step 1 : What to Download

As a new user, you should download the Qubik Blueprint Build, from www.lava-sql.com. This will provide you with the database software, administration utilities, the Blueprint development environment, and a sample database. This guide assumes that you will be installing this build.

Step 2 : Installing the Lava System

Run the main install - QubikDevelopmentSuite.exe. This will guide you through the install process, and will require a small number of inputs the majority of which will provide sensible defaults. A few options are important :

•          Installation Type : select “Both Server and Blueprint”

•          Database Folder : you may alter the default to a specific location on a separate drive if you wish

            Using the Default Database

The installation includes a sample database with several worked examples. This may be used as a tutorial for usage of especially the Blueprint development environment. You may, if desired, create a blank database for project use - alternatively you may continue to use the default database indefinitely.

            Activating the Database

            During the install, the activation dialog will display :

In order to activate the database using a 30-day trial licence, click on the button provided. This will enter a valid trial license, following which you may click on the Register button.

Step 3 : Starting the Administrator

To control all major facets of the Lava System, it is necessary to start the Lava Administrator. From the start menu, the install will by default place menu links to the administrator under Qubik / Lava Administrator. You need to start the administrator to perform final setup steps on your newly installed system.

There are a few final adjustments required to render the database fully operational.

Step 3 a          Start the Administrator

                        (Start menu, all programs : Qubik / Lava Administrator)

Step 3 b          Set up the installation defaults

•          Switch to the Defaults panel in the Administrator (select “defaults” from the options on the left).

•          Select the General option (this is the default)

•          Ensure the following parameters are correctly entered :

            User                system

            Password        manager

            Server             the local name for the installation PC (see the system properties if in doubt - right click on My Computer, select properties, change to the “Computer Name” tab. The local name is labelled “Full computer name”)

            Client Path      A valid and existing temporary folder

            Data Path        The path to the sample database

The above settings will be adequate for initial testing. Further parameters will be required for more advanced options.

Step 4 : Activating the database

Note : If you activated the database during the install, you may skip this step

•          In the Lava Administrator, switch to the Launch panel.

•          To activate the sample database, click on “Create Database” (the top launch button).

•          Obtain a valid license.

            Method 1 :      Use the trial license. 

You may click on the “Trial License” button to obtain a 30-day trial for the Express version of the Lava system. A valid license will appear in the license fields, and the Register button will become enabled. Click on Register to license the database.

            Method 2 :      Obtain a license from Qubik Digital

E-mail your installation ID (displayed at the top of the activation dialog) to support@qubik.net to obtain a 1 year license for the Express version, or to purchase a product license for the system.

Step 5 : Starting the Server

There are several ways to start the Lava Server, but the simplest is to run the server in Standalone mode. To achieve this :

•          Switch to the Services panel

•          Click on the Standalone Server button

The server should start in a visible window, and should display as follows :

Step 6 : Connecting with Query

Once the server is started, everything is set up to allow you to connect SQL Query, the general purpose query interface. To do this :

•          Switch to the Launch panel

•          Click on the SQL Query button

•          To use the default connection parameters, merely press Enter or click on the Enter button. Query will connect to the server, and should display a dialog as follows :

You may now enter SQL commands in the command area, and execute them by clicking on the Execute button. As an example, try :

            select * from system.sys_objects

or

            select [server] * from design.vertexnode

Step 7 : Setting up Blueprint Parameters

In order to connect to the database with the Blueprint Development Environment, you will need to set up a few more parameters.

•          Switch to the Defaults panel

•          Switch to the Blueprint option set

•          Ensure that the User and Password entries are both set to “test”

•          Ensure that the Server entry correctly identifies the PC your server is installed and mounted on

•          Check that the Client Path specifies a valid, existing temporary folder

Step 8 : Launch Blueprint

Everything should now be set up to start Blueprint.

•          Switch to the Launch panel

•          Click on the Blueprint button

•          Press Enter when the logon dialog appears. You should now be connected to the server.

You are now through the first hurdle. Consult the technical documentation on the Administrator and Blueprint for further information on working with the Lava System. If you have installed the Blueprint Build, full documentation is available from the start menu : Documentation Set.