Installing SQL Server Directly
Please Note: The ROBOTILL Wizard can install SQL Server for you.
These instructions are only needed if you decide to install SQL Server yourself.
Download the latest version of Microsoft SQL Server Express from the official Microsoft website
(search for “Download Microsoft SQL Server Express”).
The screenshots below are from the 2017 version, but the current recommended version is SQL Server Express 2022.
Select 'Custom Install'
You can keep the default media location. Click Install.
Select 'New SQL Server stand-alone installation ...'.
Choose the default selected features and click Next.
Important Step:
Change the Instance Name to 'ROBOTILL' and click on Next.
On the next Server Configuration Screen you can just accept the defaults and click on Next.
Important Step:
On the Database Engine Configuration screen change the Authentication Mode to Mixed Mode.
Type in a password that is at least 8 characters long and contain uppercase and lowercase and at least one number.
Make sure to write down and save the password. You will need it later.
Click on Next to complete the install.
Allowing other computers to connect
If you will not be adding more computers to your system, you can skip this step and go to '
Setting up the connection and creating the database'.
Add SQL Port
You need to open port 1433 for SQL Server in Windows Firewall to allow other computers to connect remotely. If you don't know how to do this you can just run the OpenSQLPort file in the ROBOTILL program folder. You need to run it as administrator.
Enable TCP/IP
You also need to enable TCP/IP on the Server.
Go to All Apps > Microsoft SQL Server [version] > 'Sql Server Configuration Manager'.
Expand 'SQL Server Network Configuration' and select 'Protocols for ROBOTILL'.
Right-click TCP/IP and select Enable.
Select 'SQL Server Services' and then select 'SQL Server (ROBOTILL)'. Click on the Restart button - or you could just restart the computer.
Setting up the connection and creating the database
Start the ROBOTILL Database Setup Wizard (All Apps > ROBOTILL > ROBOTILL Database Setup).
Click 'Start Setup'. Select Main Computer (Server) and click Next.
On the next screen select 'I have installed SQL Server directly' and click on Next.
Leave the username as sa and enter the password you created during the SQL Server installation.
Click on Next. The Wizard will create the database.
