Step 1: Make a backup of the current database
The first step is to make a backup of your current data. This is done for two reasons – to reduce the size of the file to be transferred, and to ensure you have a fallback plan for if something goes wrong.
For more information on how to create a backup, consult this guide.
Step 2: Move the data and essential folders to the new server
The second step is to move your data and some essential folders to the new server. The essential folders are:
- The Fincon5 folder
- The FitServer folder
There is always the chance that you are downloading and installing a version of Fincon Accounting that is newer than the one currently used by the workstations. This will result in the database being upgraded, which can take a while. It is better to plan to do this as a separate project.
How you transfer the data and folders is up to you, you can copy and paste over the network, use a portable flash drive, or whatever other method you prefer.
Step 3: Extract the data
The third step is to extract the data on the new server. It should preferably be extracted into a folder called FinData on the C drive.
Step 4: Install and activate the Fincon Accounting Server service
The fourth step is to install and activate the Fincon Accounting Server service. To do this, perform the following steps:
- Navigate to the FitServer folder on the new server.
- Run the ServerConfig application as administrator.
- Navigate to the Service tab.
- Click the Install Service button.
- Click the Start Service button.
- Close the window.
Step 5: Make sure that the server and workstation computers are pointing to the right data path
The fifth step is to make sure that all the relevant computers are pointing to the right data path. Without this, no Fincon Accounting application will be able to access your data.
To do this, perform the following steps:
SERVER COMPUTER
- Navigate to the Fincon5 folder.
- Open the fincon file (its extension is .ini and its type is Configuration Settings).
- Make sure the top line reads FinconPath=C:\FinData\ (or wherever else the FinData folder was created in step 3).
- Save any changes made.
- Close the window.
WORKSTATION COMPUTERS
- Navigate to the Fincon5 folder.
- Open the fincon file (its extension is .ini and its type is Configuration Settings).
- Check that the folder path in the top line is correct. It is very likely that the server name has to change (the name after the \\ part).
- Make any required changes.
- Save the changes.
- Close the window.
Step 6: Check the paths of all sub-companies
The sixth step is to change the data paths of all the sub-companies, otherwise, they won’t show up when you open Fincon Accounting.
To do this, perform the following steps:
- On the server computer, navigate to the FitServer folder.
- Open the EditPathList application.
- Enter the folder path of the FinData folder in the Fincon Path text box and press Enter. If you followed all the steps above, it should be C:\FinData.
- Change the data paths of all the sub-companies as appropriate. To edit a line, select it and press the Spacebar.
- Click the Accept button once you are done with all your changes.
Step 7: Share the new FinData folder and pass the server application through the Firewall
The last step is to share the new FinData folder (so that other computers will be able to “see” it over your local network), and to pass the Fincon Accounting Server application through the Firewall (so that the Firewall doesn’t interrupt the connection between server and workstation).
For more information about this, please consult these guides:
Enabling the Fincon Accounting dataset to be shared
Allowing the Fincon Accounting server application through the Windows Defender Firewall