Standard Databases
A standard database is a basic database file for single- or multi-user environments. Implementation of a database server is not required; however, there are limits on the amount of data and the number of simultaneous users. (If you prefer to use a more robust Oracle or SQL Server database, see Enterprise Databases.)
Creating a New Standard Database
To create a new standard database, choose File > New > Standard Database.
In the Database name field, specify the filename for the new *.rsr23 file. The path where the file will be saved is shown below this field; to change the location, click the browse icon in the field.
The following options are available when you create a new standard database:
- Apply login security configures the new database to be login secure. You can then select the Open security window upon creation check box if you want to add user accounts as part of the database creation process. Note that you cannot automatically remove security from a database once it has been enabled. However, you can create a new non-secure database and use the Import from existing database check box to automatically import all of the data from the secure database to the non-secure one.
- Import from existing database allows you to specify an existing database from which to import data when the new database is created. You can select to import projects, database settings, security-related information, restore points and more.
Opening an Existing Standard Database
If you have opened the file recently, choose File > Recent and then select the file in the Recent Databases list.
Otherwise, choose File > Open Database and then browse for the *.rsr23 file.
If the database has login security enabled and you are unable to connect, you may be encountering one of the following issues:
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No access to the database. If you have not been given access to the database, you will see a message stating that your account in the database is not active or not assigned to at least one security group. You will need assistance from someone who can create and update user accounts (see Managing User Accounts).
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Windows authentication failed. If your Windows login (domain and username) is different from what was specified for your user account, you will see a message to connect using alternative credentials. You will need assistance from someone who can enable the use of alternative credentials for your user account.
Upgrading a Standard Repository/Database from a Previous Version
Note: Starting in Version 21.0.2, you can only open standard databases or repositories that were created in Version 9 or later.
If you have a standard repository/database that was created in a previous version of the software, you can simply open it like any other standard database (File > Open Database). An upgraded copy will be created, with "_V23" appended to the filename. For example, if you open "MyDatabase.rsr10," the Version 2023 database that is created will be called "MyDatabase_V23.rsr23."
It is important to remember that upgrading a standard repository/database will not automatically upgrade any library or template files that you may have been using in conjunction with that repository/database, as these file types are stored separately. Please refer to the documentation on those files for information on upgrading them.
IMPORTANT: For best results, the standard repository/database should NOT be open in the prior version. This ensures that all information in the repository/database will be converted to the new database.
Using Data in an Earlier Version
You cannot save a standard database as an earlier version (e.g., you cannot save a *.rsr23 database as a *.rsr22 database). However, there are several ways that you can export the data in forms that can be used in earlier versions (with the caveat that functionality/data fields added in later versions will not be imported to earlier versions). These include:
- For data sheets in Weibull++, choose Sheet > Transfer Data > Send to Excel to export the data to an Excel file. You can then import the data into a new folio in the older version. See Importing from Excel or Delimited Text Files into a Folio.
- For BlockSim and Lambda Predict, you can export data to an XML file and then import that data into the older version. See Using XML in BlockSim and Lambda Predict.
- For XFMEA and RCM++, you can export system hierarchy and analysis data to an Excel file and then import the data into the older version. See Excel Templates for Import/Export in the XFMEA/RCM++ documentation.
Merging Databases
While merging databases is not supported per se, you can achieve a similar result by importing projects from one database into another.