CR v9 or CR 2008 Connecting to Lytec 2010 database 1

[grcrystal]

Lytec 2010 is a medical specific software and uses Microsoft SQL as the database engine.

There are canned crystal reports that come with Lytec, but I want to create a new report.

Do you know how I can connect crystal reports v9 or crystal reports 2008 to the Lytec 2010 database?

 

[kray4660]

Since the DB is MS-SQL, I do not see a reason (execpt for security permissions) that would prevent you from creating a report. Of course if they use some sort of encryption, the data may not be readable.

 

[grcrystal]

I was interested in how to connect to the database, like with an ODBC connection. Can someone help with the steps to create the ODBC connection?

 

[kray4660]

Do you know how to create an ODBC connection(I am assuming in Windows)? If so, that would be the first step. Then it is a matter of using that connection in CR 9.

 

[grcrystal]

I have created ODBC connections before, but not with Lytec.
I was hoping I could follow someone's step by step instructions. There are a lot of fields on each window for setting up a connection. I'm assuming I would use the System DSN tab to start creating, but after that I don't know everything the fields are asking for.

 

[kray4660]

If it is a standard SQL ODBC connection. You would need the Server Name (IP address?), a valid user ID for the DB and a valid password for the DB. Then you would need to know which database (on the server) is the default database. Normally you do not need to change any of the other settings (don't know about Lytec).

We normally connect 'With SQL Server authentication using a login ID and password entered by the user' and also the 'Connect to SQL Server to obtain default settings for the additional configuration options', thus the need for the user ID and password. If the server is local, you may be able to connect 'With Windows NT authentication using the network login ID'.

 

[Guest091123]

I've been doing this for years with many versions of Lytec and Crystal Reports.

Create a System DSN. The server name will be something like \\SERVER\LYTEC_SQL, depending upon your installation type and version. Use SQL authentication, not Windows. The Login ID is "admin". The password for admin can be found on the Lytec Settings/Server Logins menu. Set the default database to be the practice. You don't have to change any other settings.

Do NOT change the admin password from Lytec. You will hose Lytec beyond repair.

Now you can use the ODBC data source with Crystal Reports!

 

[grcrystal]

Thanks so much for this information. I was able to create an ODBC connection with the information you supplied in the previous post.

 

[bwanaaa]

sorry to be a noob but it sounds like you need lytec running to log on to the server to access the data. what if i just want to take the data to a workstation and use crystal with it but without lytec? is there a way to start a server without lytec?

 

[Turkbear]

Probably not - most Databases store the data in a format that only the actual database engine can interpret.

There are some that store data in mostly standard text files but usually not SQL-based ones.







To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."

 

[Guest091123]

Although the Lytec billing program itself does not need to be running to access the database via an ODBC connection, the Lytec SQL Server instance must be running.

Depending on the version of Lytec, it may be bundled with the runtime environment of SQL Server 2000 or 2005.

 

[bwanaaa]

tnx for your replies. so i guess installing mysql wont suffice ? (I tried it but I am such a noob that I dont even know how to start it after installing it as a service- I tried running odbcad32.exe to establish a system DSN but that asks for a sql server-even with mysql running i cant find one!)

 

[Guest091123]

My actual SQL Service knowledge is limited to interacting with the Lytec database, so I am not likely to be of much help. I would presume you would have to have the exact same version of the MSDE installed on the machine you're working on. Is there some reason you're making this so hard by not just working on the machine where the real Lytec SQL Server instance is running?

 

[bwanaaa]

yes. the lytec 2009 is running at the office and only has a 3 user license. I do not want to interfere with a 'production system' by loading crystal reports onto a pc and then monopolizing that pc to screw around with crystal reports. i'd rather take a backup of the database and work on it at home.

also if i have mssql server 2005, why do i need msde? the version of lytec i use is based on mssql 2005 - (and i hate it btw)

 

[Guest091123]

Again, I have limited SQL Server knowledge.

You're not likely to interfere with the office usage by developing and running Crystal Reports unless you are manipulating and/or sorting huge amounts of data, especially if Crystal is installed on your PC and not the server where Lytec resides.

Please ask others for help if you try to muck around with SQL Server. But knowing Lytec's fragility, I don't recommend what you are doing.

 

[bwanaaa]

it seems i figured out the basics. here's what i did:

HOW to Restore to MSSQL
1)Start SSMS
2)FILE-> Connect Object Explorer
3)select 'local' with 'Windows authentication'
4)look at object explorer column on the left and right click on 'Databases'
5)select 'Restore'
6)in the dialog that pops up, type 'test' (or whatever) in the 'To database' field (in the 'Destination for Restore' Section)
7) select 'From device' radio button in the next section
8) click the button with the three dots in it (on the same line as the 'From device' button)
9)navigate to the lytec backup file
10) hit ok

Now when you expand the 'Databases' entry in the object explorer, you will see the name of your test database
.


NEXT STEP IS TO SET UP A DSN

If you are running windows 64 bit OS
Go to Windows->SYSWOW64 and find odbcad32.exe
this is the 32 bit version of the data source administrator
it is important to run the 32 bit version because crystal reports is not 64 bit and you will have this problem

http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Fo...s/thread/1c63e3ae-e001-4066-9eac-ad9162116603

Click on System DSN tab
Click on 'add'
in the dialog that appeas, name your dsn
in the dropdown list under 'Which SQL Server do you want to connect to' select 'local'
click next
select 'With Integrated Windows authentication'
make sure checkbox labeled 'Connect to SQL Server...' is checked
click next
click next again
click 'Test Data Source...'
you should get success
click ok

NOW START CRYSTAL REPORTS
click File->New->Standard Report
Click the '+' sign in front of the 'Create new connection' in the dialog that appeared
CLick the '+' sign in front of the 'ODBC'
a dialog appears, select the dsn you just created
click next
NOW I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!
it seems it doesnt matter what login what the login credentials are?
And then the dialog boxes become inscrutable.

Can someone tell me step by step what i would do if for example i wanted a list of all the entries which have a service date for the past 6 months?

 

[Guest091123]

Delete your system DSN, and create it the way I described in my post from August 28, 2010. It definitely DOES matter what your logon credentials are.

Going into the details of how the Lytec database is structured is really beyond the help I can offer in this forum.

Do you have any experience writing Crystal Reports using an ODBC datasource? A new report has to get its data from somewhere, and in this case, it will be the Lytec database via ODBC, which is why you created the system DSN.

 

[bwanaaa]

@PsychBiller

Thank you for taking the time to help. No, I am a COMPLETE noob when it comes to understanding mssql->crystal

Why is odbc needed? Doesnt mssql serve up the data? That's how basic i am.

As for learning to use crystal, i am struggling.

 

[Turkbear]

Hi,
This may help understanding the role of an ODBC driver:

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/ODBC.html

To Paraphrase:"The Help you get is proportional to the Help you give.."